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WDV eNews
28 May 2026
WDV News and Updates:
Opportunites
Hear From Our Hubs:
Community News and Events:
Additional Updates:
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We have had another busy and productive month at TEAM WDV. This month we have been focused on consulting with our members and community on Victoria’s State Disability Plan (2027-2031). We have been engaged by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to deliver a structured, lived experience-led engagement and consultation process to inform and update the next State Plan. We are using our existing programs – Youth Experts by Experience, Gender and Disability Experts by Experience and our regional and online hubs to inform our advice to Government. So far, out of six, four consultations have been completed and in June, we will launch a survey for all our members. The survey will be complementary to the DFFH’s Engage Victoria survey. It will ask about your life, what is hard for you, what is working well, and what you want the Government to change for women and gender diverse people with disabilities. We are thankful to our former Acting CEO and WDV member Julie Kun for leading these conversations with care, compassion and deep expertise. Julie has been out and about (and online!) across our State, meeting with community to talk about issues that matter most to them. We are also grateful for the Victorian Government’s Office for Disability for sponsoring these consultations and investing in genuine co-design and co-production of outcomes.
A shout out to our members for participating in WDV’s 2026 member engagement survey- we received 132 responses and thank you to those who took the time to share their thoughts and experiences with us. As always, your input will help guide and improve our work. We have completed a preliminary review of your responses and are in the early stages of a deeper thematic analysis. Over the coming weeks, we will begin sharing high-level findings and priorities emerging from the survey. Please do look out for a member engagement survey results updates from our Policy and Research Lead Dr Brigid Evans in your inboxes soon. Our policy and advocacy are shaped by your priorities and we are committed to ensuring we harness and amplify your wisdom. You would have noticed last week that the Albanese Government launched a national consultation
to shape the next phase of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. The focus of the Second Action Plan will be on what works to deliver practical and systemic solutions that have the greatest impact. The Government will also, simultaneously, be consulting via this process on:
- Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices - Australia’s first dedicated plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children
- Safe and Supported – the ten-year framework for protecting Australia’s children
- The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.
More information on the Second Action Plan consultation is available on the Department of Social Services website and on the National Office for Child Safety website. I encourage you all to make your views heard as it is vital that Albanese Government hear from a wide range of people across the community.
Finally, As many of you will already have seen, the NDIS reforms were introduced to Parliament and sent to the Senate for inquiry on 14 May. The inquiry is open for individual and organisational submissions until 29 May. This timeframe gave our community 15 days to advise, be consulted, and codesign the most significant reforms in the history of the NDIS. This is not enough time to meaningfully consult with our community. WDV could not submit to the inquiry under the timeframes, and we ethically objected to participating in consultation without codesign.
WDV is working alongside our sister organisations WWDA and WWDACT and our national peak AFDO to ensure that the Albanese Government understands and responds to the gendered impacts of the proposed reforms. WDV has endorsed WWDA’s submission, which recommends that the Bill not proceed until a comprehensive gender impact analysis has been released, and gender-responsive reforms have been co-designed with women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities. The potential gendered impacts are significant and far-reaching, so a gendered impact analysis will slow this bill down and give our community more time to advocate for reforms that help our community.
In response to the proposed NDIS reforms, we have also opened a short 5-minute survey. The survey is designed to capture the concerns, lived experiences, risks, and impacts of the reforms on our members. Your responses will inform WDV’s ongoing advocacy and policy response.
You can complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BNGCK2J and I invite you to read more about WDV’s response to the changes here: https://wdv.org.au/news/wdv-stands-with-australias-national-dros-in-calling-for-robust-senate-scrutiny-of-ndis-reforms/
In solidarity, TMK
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Image description: The image is of WDV CEO Trishima Mitra-Kahn leaning against a brick wall, looking at the camera. She is wearing a scarf as a headband, dangly silver earrings and red lipstick.
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Launch of new resources to prevent violence against LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities
Women with Disabilities Victoria are pleased to invite you to: ‘Beyond Pronouns and Wheelchairs’, a FREE online event launching new workforce development resources focused on preventing violence against LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities.
These resources have been co-designed with a lived experience group and are grounded in real-world insight, expertise, and leadership.
These resources are designed to support workers across disability, health, LGBTIQA+, and violence prevention sectors to strengthen inclusive, accessible, and safe practice.
When: June 24th 2026
Time: 11-12:30pm
Where: via Zoom (link will be provided prior to the event)
At this event, you will:
- Build your understanding of violence experienced by LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities
- Hear directly from lived experience voices
- Learn how to embed inclusive and safe practices in your organisation
We hope you can join us for this important launch.
Register here: https://wwdv.wildapricot.org/event-6685487
If you would like more information about this event, please contact Stephanie Sayer at stephanie.sayer@wdv.org.au |
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Image Description: A group of diverse LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities march with flags, signs and mobility aids. They hold and wear disability, trans, Intersex, LGBQ+ pride colours and symbols while following an individual with a flag which says; “Nothing about us without us”. |
From Ableism to Allyship: Bendigo and Surrounds Inclusive Community Forum
Late last year members of the WDV Local Leadership Hub - Bendigo had an important conversation. Together they spoke about ableism and how it impacts women and gender diverse people with disabilities. The group were keen to tackle this pervasive issue and so the idea of a Forum was born. Finding solidarity and a shared goal with RIAC (Rights Information and Advocacy Centre) and the Have a Say Bendigo Group, the Forum’s scope and potential impact grew.
Led passionately by Bendigo’s Hub Liaison Officer Emma King, a working group was established with members from across the three organising groups. Supported by the City of Greater Bendigo, which provided a grant to support the event, the wider community showed a great appetite and readiness to tackle the big issue of ableism.
After months of prep and planning the From Ableism to Allyship: Bendigo and Surrounds Inclusive Community Forum welcomed people with disabilities, their families, carers, community members and stakeholders for a day of advocacy and learning on May 18.
Held at Larnangurrak, Golden Square on beautiful Dja Dja Wurrung Country, the Forum began with a thoughtful and moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Aunty Sandy. |
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Image Description: Aunty Sandy and Forum guests participate in a traditional Smoking Ceremony at Larnangurrak on Dja Dja Warrung Country.
As a disability-led forum, the message was clear from the start - lived experience will not sit on the edge of this conversation — it will lead this conversation. With local advocate Steph Sayer unfortunately unavailable for MCing duties on the day the CIWE team rallied, with Women’s Empowerment Officers Brigitte Stone filling in as MC and Bridget Jolley supporting on tech.
Amongst the 130+ in attendance, special guests included The Honourable Maree Edwards - Member for Bendigo West, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Gaelle Broad - Member of the Legislative Council for Northern Victoria Region along with representatives from Victoria Police and the Premier’s Electorate Office. Their presence signified an important awareness of accessibility, inclusion, safety, dignity and genuine allyship in our community. |
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Image Description: CIWE Manager Liz Wright, Member for Bendigo West, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly The Honourable Maree Edwards, keynote speaker Sam Drummond and RIAC CEO Dr Sandy Ross photographed out the front of the Larnangurrak building.
The event was about real conversations, recognising where ableism exists in our communities, systems and everyday experiences and exploring how we move beyond awareness and into meaningful action. Not tokenism. Not ticking boxes. Real inclusion. Real allyship.
Encapsulating this was keynote speaker, Sam Drummond. A broadcaster, lawyer and disability advocate, Sam works to bring people together to create meaningful, sustainable change. His career has spanned media, politics and law, now specialising in human rights and discrimination law. Through his presentation Sam implored guests to “come as you are” and to find pride in our identities as people with disabilities. Importantly he made a robust call to action - for governments, systems and those in power to listen to people with disability when it comes to leading our own lives. |
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Image Description: Speaker Sam Drummond smiles into the microphone as he delivers the Forum’s keynote address.
Sam continued to share his expertise in lived experience and law as he joined the Forum’s panel alongside panellists; Juanita Miller, Renay Barker-Mulholland, Dr Bree Wright and Shona Brown. Posing questions around ableism, privilege and the realities of living with disability, MC Brigitte lead the panelists through what was at times an emotional exploration. |
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Image Description: Panellists Sam Drummond, Juanita Miller, Shona Brown Renay Barker-Mulholland and Dr Bree Wright seated in a row. Behind them RIAC and WDV banners and the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
After an impressive lunch, guests were invited to join in one of four workshops on Community Safety, Transport, Accessibility and Speaking up for myself and others. The conversations were powerful, passionate and purposeful.
In coming weeks we look forward to sharing more from the forum with the WDV community and stakeholders.
Photo credit is: Penny Ryan at T&T Photo Agency.
Instagram: @pennyryanphotography /@ttphotoagency |
WDV at Women Deliver 2026
Women Deliver 2026 in Naarm brought together thousands of global leaders advancing gender equality, and WDV was proud to support 18 women and gender‑diverse people with disabilities to attend through scholarships funded by the Victorian Government Office for Women. Our delegates played a vital role in ensuring disability leadership was visible and valued in feminist spaces. Speakers such as Isabella Fantasia and Charlotte Young brought disability rights to the forefront, emphasizing the urgent need to center disabled young people in policy and advocacy. As Charlotte’s session on disability rights in sexual and reproductive healthcare demonstrated, disability justice is not an optional addition to feminist work, it is core to it.
Across the week, delegates reflected on the many forms leadership takes, particularly in regional and grassroots communities. As one of the delegates Felicity noted, people often step into leadership “simply because there is a gap that needs filling,” embodying quiet, steady leadership that holds communities together. Conversations also challenged Australia’s ongoing preference for formal qualifications over lived experience, reinforcing that consultation without power‑sharing is not genuine inclusion. A line that resonated widely came from Kayshie Tilak Ramesh: “Sometimes holding the floor and holding the progress is enough”, a reminder of the value of persistence in uncertain times. This echoed another key insight Felicity shared: “the more proximate you are to the issues, the closer you are to the solutions.”
While the conference offered rich opportunities for connection, collaboration, and international solidarity, many delegates, including Isabella, raised concerns about accessibility barriers throughout the event. As she reflected, it was “phenomenal and empowering” to rally with global advocates, yet deeply frustrating to see disabled people excluded in practical ways. Her hope, shared by many, is that future convenings commit to meaningful co‑design and proper consultation. The message from WDV’s delegation was clear: gender equality cannot be achieved unless everybody, every voice, and every mobility aid can enter the room. Accessibility is not optional, it is essential to justice. |
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Image description: Five individuals stand in front of a sign for the National Women’s Alliance at the Women Deliver Conference. They are from left to right: Clara Conheady (WDV staff member and Delegate liaison), Isabella Fantasia (WDV Expert By Experience Advocate and WDV sponsored speaker at Women Deliver, Julie Kunn (former WDV interim CEO), Julie Dickson (WDV Board Member), Felicity Antony (current WDV employee and Women Deliver Delegate.
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Launching our new Anti-Ableism Resource
So you’ve been ableist, now what? A community pocket guide to accountability and repair, is an exciting new resource from the CIWE team.
Find Accessible Versions
Including:
Check out the resources online at this link:
https://wdv.org.au/resources/experts-in-our-health-2/ |
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Image description: The title page of the resource. The top of the page reads 'So, You've Been ABLEIST. (Now What?). A community pocket guide to accountability & Repair.' At the bottom of the image are cartoons of many women and gender diverse people with disabilities, including one person in a wheelchair, one person knitting, one person wearing a hijab and two people embracing in the middle. At the back of the group of people is a rainbow. |
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Image description: A stylised icon against a transparent background. A part of the new WDV branding, a slowly opening light purple door is being depicted, with orange shading coming from the inside. This icon represents Opportunities. |
Gender & Disability Experts by Experience Advocates Available for Consultation and Training
Women with Disabilities Victoria’s Gender
& Disability Experts by Experience Advocates are a group of women and
gender diverse people with different experiences of disability.
They are available for consultations to
support the development of gender and disability inclusive policies, products,
and services.
They also offer one-hour introductory training
that covers aspects of gender equality, disability inclusion and prevention
of violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
Consultations:
Consultations take place monthly
via Zoom, on Thursdays between 11am and 2pm. You will be supported throughout
the process, enabling you to get the most from your consultation time.
Consultation fees:
1 consultation session (60-minute session) =
$880
2 consultation sessions (120-minute session)
= $1,660
Please note that if booking 2 consultations,
both consultations do not need to be conducted on the same day. Session length
can be negotiated.
Training:
Our Introduction to Preventing Gender and
Disability Based Violence is grounded in research, evidence and the lived
experience of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
1-hour sessions can be held online or in
person and content may be adjusted to meet your group’s training needs.
Training cost:
$600
Please note: The cost may vary if there are
requirements in addition to our standard sessions.
How to book:
Contact the Gender and Disability
Workforce Development Team at gandd@wdv.org.au for further information or to book a session.
Generally, a minimum
of 8-weeks' notice is required.
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Image description: A stylised icon against a transparent background. A part of the new WDV branding, this silhouette shows two people slightly overlapping, one a light shade of purple and one orange. The 'V' from the WDV logo is positioned on the right side of the orange person's sternum, like a heart. This icon represents Members, and is shown above the relevant updates for WDV Members. |
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Are You a WDV Member? WDV members get access to: - Our exclusive events, consultations and workshops
- Get involved in our programs
- Opportunities to network in the community
Members can also contribute to WDV by representing women and gender diverse people with disabilities on Boards, Committees and forums. These opportunities are circulated to members who have an interest in a particular field, and there is also an opportunity to contribute to government submissions and representations to government.
If you identify as a woman or gender diverse person with a disability or chronic health condition and you would like to get involved, it only takes a minute to apply for our free membership by clicking the button below:
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If you are not sure if you are a member or not and would like to find out, or have any questions about membership, please contact us via email at membership@wdv.org.au.
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Online Hub
Special guest Anthea Skinner - June 3
Dr. Anthea Skinner is a musicologist - specialising in disability music culture and adaptive technology. She has worked on multiple projects related to making music more accessible for disabled people.
Image Description: Dr. Anthea Skinner, wearing a pink shirt and glasses on a green background.
Special guest from Sexual Health Victoria - June 17
The Online Leadership Hub will be joined by Sexual health Victoria (SHV), on June 17 to have an important conversation about affirmative consent laws.
Kardie Whelan, from SHV will present this important and timely topic.
Image Description: Kardie Whelan, wearing a black t-shirt and blazer and hoop earrings, smiling.
Register for individual Online Hub meetings here - https://wwdv.wildapricot.org/event-6418595
Or email Hubs@wdv.org.au / Call 03 9286 7813 if you need assistance, or have any questions. |
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS |
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National Reconciliation Week 2026
May 7 to June 3
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.
All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.
The theme also reminds us that reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights isn’t a passive activity, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long.
Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.
The #NRW2026 campaign was created in collaboration with Carbon Creative, a First Nations-owned and operated marketing and creative agency.
The artwork for this campaign is by renowned Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung artist Otis Hope Carey, who applied his distinctive style to create a colourful and optimistic visual representation of people from all walks of life being ‘all in’ to make change. |
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Image description: The promotional tile for National Reconciliation Week. The tile has a light blue background and around the edges are lots of coloured badges with the words 'I'm in' on them. In the middle are the words 'I'm in for reconciliation' in a large font, and in a smaller font, 'National Reconciliation Week 2026, 27 May - June, #NRW2026, Reconciliation.org.au.' |
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VALID 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference
June 22nd & 23rd 2026
The Advocacy in Action conference is going to be an amazing opportunity to dive into important discussions about disability advocacy and key issues impacting people with disabilities. We’ll have a fantastic lineup of topics, including:
- Perspectives on the changes to the NDIS
- Disability issues and the Victorian State Election
- Funding systems in the disability sector
- Health care for people with intellectual disability
Speakers will include:
- Kevin Stone, VALID Founder
- Sara Gingold – Disability Services Consulting, Editor-in-Chief
- Iwan Walters MP – Parliamentary Secretary for Disability
- The new Victorian Public Advocate, Dan Stubbs
- Naomi Anderson – Villamanta, Legal Practice Manager
- Rod Carracher – NDIS Commission, Deputy Commissioner
- Julia Hawkins, National Centre for Excellence in Intellectual Health
At the Novotel Hotel Function Centre, (formerly Rydges Bell City) 215 Bell St. Preston. 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Registration link: https://valid.org.au/event/advocacy-in-action-conference/ |
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Image description: A flyer for the conference. At the top left is the VALID logo and the words VALID Advocacy in Action Conference. There are several photos of people with disabilities speaking at an event. The bottom half of the image is bright blue and has the words in white: 'Connecting Voices, Creating Change.' |
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Important Disclaimer
With the rise of online scamming and fraudulent emails, it is becoming increasingly important to be wary of suspicious emails. We would like to remind you that WDV will not ask for financial donations via email.
In certain cases, scammers can send emails or text messages coming from a different email. For instance, a spam email which appears to be from Nadia asking for donations via email. Due to the fraudulent nature of scammers posing as someone else online, please note it is best to never give away any personal or financial information unless you have had a verbal conversation with one of our staff members.
If you receive these types of emails, please delete these from your inbox and do not click on any of the links.
If you have any questions, please contact wdv@wdv.org.au. |
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Are Your Contact Details Current?
If you have recently changed any of your contact details; address, phone number or email address, please let us know. Email wdv@wdv.org.au and we will update our records.
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Do You Have News, Comments, Questions or Feedback For Us? We love to hear from the WDV community. If you have something you think should be included in this newsletter, please contact WDV at wdv@wdv.org.au. |
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Copyright 2026 Women with Disabilities Victoria
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