From Awareness to Action: Why Our Community Needs to Rethink Disability Inclusion
Across Australia, conversations about disability inclusion are growing louder.
We see more policies, more statements, more awareness days, and more organisations wanting to “do better.” On the surface, this sounds like progress — and in many ways, it is.
But if we listen closely to disabled people and their families, a different story is still being told.
A story of exhaustion.
A story of fighting for access.
A story of inclusion that depends on who you get on the day.
A story where belonging is still not guaranteed.
And that tells us something important:
Awareness alone is not enough.
The Gap Between Policy and Practice
Over the years at The Inclusive Movement, we have worked with educators, community organisations, local governments, and service providers to build foundational understanding of disability inclusion.
We’ve delivered training in disability foundations.
We’ve supported learning in neuroaffirming practice.
We’ve advocated strongly for co-design and lived-experience voices in decision-making.
These are all essential steps forward.
Yet even with this progress, families still report:
Repeating their needs over and over
Explaining their child or loved one to new staff
Navigating systems that were not designed with them in mind
Carrying enormous coordination and advocacy loads
When this happens consistently, it tells us the issue is not individual effort — it is systemic design.
Inclusion cannot rely on goodwill alone.
It must be embedded into how services, spaces, and communities operate.
A Moment for Reflection in WA
Recent events in Western Australia have deeply affected many in the disability community. They have prompted difficult conversations about support, access, and whether systems truly meet families where they are.
Often in the aftermath of tragedy, we hear the phrase:
“Help is available.”
For many families, the reality feels more complicated than that.
Support can be fragmented.
Services can be overstretched.
Navigation can be overwhelming.
Understanding can vary widely between providers.
Naming these challenges is not about blame — it is about honesty.
Because when we acknowledge the gaps, we can work together to close them.
Moving Beyond Inclusion Theatre
There is a growing recognition globally that some inclusion efforts are performative rather than practical.
Inclusion theatre can look like:
Statements without implementation
Adjustments only after complaints
One-off awareness sessions without follow-through
Consulting disabled people but not acting on what they say
Real inclusion is quieter but more powerful.
It shows up in:
Systems that anticipate needs
Staff who understand lived realities
Policies that allow flexibility
Environments designed for human diversity
Communities where people do not have to fight to belong
And ultimately, it leads to belonging.
Why We Expanded the Inclusive Training Hub
This is why we have been expanding our Inclusive Training Hub.
Not to add more theory —
But to build practical capability.
Our training now spans from foundational knowledge to specialist topics, including:
Disability Foundations & Community Inclusion
Disability Cultural Awareness (From Access to Belonging)
Neuroaffirming Practice
Developmental differences
Supporting behaviours
Sensory needs and regulation
AAC and communication supports
Family-centred and trauma-aware practice
These trainings are designed to be:
✔ Practical
✔ Reflective
✔ Evidence-informed
✔ Grounded in lived experience
✔ Relevant to real community settings
They can support onboarding, professional development, and continuous improvement across teams.
A Shared Responsibility
Inclusion is not the job of one sector or one role.
It belongs to:
Educators
Health professionals
Community leaders
Local governments
Sporting clubs
Service providers
Everyday community members
When we build shared understanding, we build stronger communities.
And when communities are strong, families are not left carrying the load alone.
An Invitation
If you are part of a service, organisation, or community group and want to strengthen your inclusive practice, we invite you to explore our trainings and resources.
Not as a tick-box exercise —
But as part of a genuine commitment to learning and improving.
Because belonging should not be the exception.
It should be the norm.
