Australian Disability and Development Consortium

Reflecting on the incredible journey of the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC) over the past seven years, we are proud to have championed disability equity and inclusion in international development through advocacy, collaboration, and leadership. Since 2017, ADDC has engaged in critical conversations with government representatives, international partners, and regional disability advocates to push for meaningful change. From key meetings at Parliament House and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade roundtables to impactful discussions at Australian Council for International Development conferences, our commitment to advancing disability rights has been unwavering. Through the leadership of our Executive Officers, Kerryn Clarke and Lucy Daniel, and the dedication of our ADDC Executive Committee, we have built strong partnerships with regional leaders, organizations like the Pacific Disability Forum, ACFID, AFDO, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) and CBM Australia as our host organisation, along with many others to ensure that disability rights remain central to Australia’s international development agenda. Some key moments from our journey include: ✅ Engaging with Ministers and Shadow Ministers for International Development and the Pacific to advocate for equitable and inclusive policies.  ✅ Representing disability voices at ACFID conferences, fostering dialogue on women in climate action and inclusive development.  ✅ Participating in DFAT-led roundtables with global and regional disability leaders to shape policy discussions.  ✅ Strengthening relationships with Pacific disability leaders and amplifying their voices on international platforms.  ✅ Providing expert insights at Australian Government inquiries to drive policy change.   We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey—our executive members, partner organizations, and the disability advocates who have worked tirelessly to champion disability equity. Your dedication and passion have been instrumental in shaping the progress we’ve made. As we look ahead, ADDC remains committed to amplifying the voices of people with disabilities and ensuring that equity is at the heart of development efforts. #ADDC #DisabilityEquity #InternationalDevelopment #Advocacy #Leadership Australian Volunteers International Blind Citizens Australia Exemplar International  First Peoples Disability Network  Good Return International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) The Leprosy Mission Australia Motivation Australia National Disability Services RedR Australia University of Melbourne, Nossal Institute for Global Health  The Fred Hollows Foundation World Vision Australia Individual members:  Sally Cobb  Louise Coventry Samantha French  Alexandra Gartrell Christina Parasyn 

“Words cannot express how much I have benefitted from this work” - Hafzarun, Community Health Educator, Bangladesh   Read about how ADDC Executive Member, Opportunity International Australia, is working with local financial service providers and organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) to improve the healthcare needs of people living with disabilities in India and Bangladesh 👉bit.ly/4k0jEsZ In Bangladesh, Opportunity is delivering integrated health services by BURO Bangladesh, a microfinance institution. Hafzarun, quoted and pictured is a Community Health Educator and a recipient of the BURO Bangladesh initiative, is helping deliver the Basic Health Education Programme in Bangladesh.  Hafzarun was born with visual and physical disabilities. Her lived experience helped her gain employment within the program as an educator and to continue delivering vital health services to other villages in Bangladesh.     Collaborations between Opportunity and local financial service providers like BURO Bangladesh has seen the improved access to healthcare for people living with disabilities.  Caption: Hafzarun, a Community Health Educator, born with visual and physical  disabilities, is providing basic health services in Bangladesh. 

A huge thank you to our esteemed speakers and attendees for joining us in championing health equity for people with disabilities across the Indo-Pacific and beyond! Our webinar featured insights from:  ✅ Mr. Darryl Barrett – World Health Organization ✅ Ms. Emma Pearce – WHO  ✅ Mr. Wong Yoon Loong – National Council for the Blind, Malaysia  ✅ Mrs. Nistha Shrestha – Ministry of Health, Nepal  ✅ Mrs. Elsie Taloafiri – Ministry of Health, Solomon Islands  ✅ Ms. Larissa Burke – Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade   Moderated by Sally Cobb, ADDC Chair, this event sparked meaningful discussions on breaking barriers and building more inclusive health systems. 💡 Couldn’t make it? View the recording here 👉 bit.ly/40fHwQ4  #ChampioningDisabilityEquity #HealthEquity #InclusiveHealth  

🚨 New research alert! 🚨 Did you know that older people with disabilities are being left behind in humanitarian and development responses due to the overlooked intersection of ageism and ableism? A joint study by CBM Australia and The Fred Hollows Foundation exposes systemic gaps that limit access to services, support, and decision-making. The findings are clear: policy and practice must evolve to ensure inclusion at every level. Want to be part of the solution? Explore the report’s key recommendations and help drive real change. 👉 bit.ly/41aRwvK #DisabilityInclusion #Ageism #Ableism #Humanitarian #InternationalDevelopment #AWorld4AllAges

Looking forward to hearing from Darryl Barrett and Emma Pearce, World Health Organization speakers at our upcoming webinar on Health Equity for People with Disabilities. 🔹 Darryl Barrett – Technical Lead, WHO Darryl heads the WHO disability programme at its headquarters in Geneva, leading global efforts on disability inclusion in the health sector. With over 35 years of experience across more than 35 countries, he has worked in fragile, conflict-affected, and diverse income settings. Darryl’s expertise includes developing technical guidance, advocacy, and capacity building, as well as co-leading the WHO United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) Secretariat. 🔹 Emma Pearce – Gender & Inclusion Consultant, WHO Emma brings over 15 years of experience working with populations affected by crisis and conflict. At WHO, she has been instrumental in developing the WHO Policy on Disability, advancing the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), and contributing to the Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities. Emma also co-authored the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action, piloting it with stakeholders in Tanzania and Malaysia. 💡 Join Darryl and Emma and other global thought leaders to explore how we can tackle barriers and strengthen inclusive health systems globally. 🗓️ When: Tuesday, 28th January 🕑 Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm AEDT 📌 Register now: bit.ly/40fHwQ4 #ChampioningDisabilityEquity #HealthEquity #DisabilityInclusion #WHO #GlobalHealth 

Exciting vacancy! ADDC is looking for an Executive Officer to run our secretariat by leading and providing strategic direction for our network, in consultation with Executive Committee and members.  The role is responsible for growing the network and harnessing evidence and analysis from across the disability and development sectors to develop credible policy positions and represent ADDC at the highest levels of Government, both independently and with Chief Executives from NGOs. The ADDC Secretariat is hosted by CBM Australia, who employ the ADDC Executive Officer and Support Officer.  The role in based at the CBM Australia office in Richmond, Melbourne. To read more about the role, and to apply, see here - bit.ly/4jnlp2W 

Next Tuesday’s webinar brings together global thought leaders and changemakers from World Health Organization, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Organisations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) across the Indo-Pacific who are advancing health equity for people with disabilities: Mr. Darryl Barrett – Technical Lead, WHO  Ms. Emma Pearce – Consultant, WHO  Mr. Wong Yoon Loong – National Council for the Blind, Malaysia  Mrs. Nistha Shrestha – Chief, Leprosy Control and Disability Management Section, Ministry of Health, Nepal  Mrs. Elsie Taloafiri – Director, National Rehabilitation and Disability Division, Ministry of Health, Solomon Islands  Ms. Larissa Burke – Senior Adviser, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sally Cobb, ADDC Chair will be moderating this online event. Join us to hear their insights on breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable health systems for all. 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 28th January  🕑 Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm AEDT  Register now: https://bit.ly/40fHwQ4 #ChampioningDisabilityEquity #HealthEquity 

Next week, ADDC and World Health Organization are bringing together industry thought-leaders from Australia, Nepal and the Solomon Islands to discuss the Global Report, the Toolkit, and their work on advancing health equity for people with disabilities.    • Tuesday 28 January, 2:00 – 3:30pm AEDT In November 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities – Guide for Action (Disability Inclusion Guide for Action). This toolkit provides governments and health ministries with strategies for systems governance, planning and monitoring to implement and advance best practice health equity for #PeopleWithDisabilities.     Live captioning will be provided at the event.    Register today: bit.ly/40fHwQ4

We would like to thank Senator Penny Wong and Pat Conroy, and Minister Michael McCormack for their leadership and ambition in delivering the International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS). This landmark strategy sets a powerful precedent for disability equity, with clear performance targets and a commitment to creating transformative change, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Your dedication to advancing inclusion and rights for people with disabilities signals a brighter, more equitable future. IDEARS demonstrates that Australia is not just participating in global conversations on disability equity but spearheading meaningful change. We look forward to working together to bring this vision to life and ensuring that no one is left behind. Thank you for making this vital work a priority. #DisabilityEquity #IDEARS #InclusiveDevelopment Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Just over 15 years ago, governments and development stakeholders committed to #EndPoverty in all its forms everywhere and to ensure #NooneIsLeftBehind. The #2030Agenda & #SustainableDevelopmentGoals brought #GlobalDevelopment objectives in line with commitments made in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.    At the midpoint of the #SDG , we asked expert friends and colleagues to reflect on what they see as challenges and opportunities for realising equity and rights for people with disabilities by 2030. This selection of essays to generate interest and debate. Take a read - we hope you find something in these essays to motivate and inspire. https://lnkd.in/gGd7qQEA These essays were compiled by the Nossal Institute and CBM under the DFAT CBM-Nossal Partnership for the Provision of Disability Technical Advice and Services. Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade CBM Global Disability Inclusion Pacific Disability Forum International Disability Alliance Melbourne Disability Institute