Dear Member,

We were pleased to hear Prime Minister Albanese's recent announcement of a Productivity Summit to be held in Canberra this August. As the Prime Minister noted in his address to the National Press Club last week, Australia needs to focus on building "an economy that is more dynamic, more productive and more resilient", and we couldn't agree more.

What excites us most about this announcement is the enormous opportunity it presents to highlight disability inclusion as a key driver of Australia's productivity growth. 21% of our community - that's 5.5 million Australians - live with disability. Of the 2.1 million people of working age who have disability, many remain excluded from meaningful employment opportunities. This exclusion isn't just unfair - it's economically inefficient and is undoubtedly impacting our nation's productivity potential.

The business case is clear: organisations that embrace disability inclusion consistently report improved innovation, better problem-solving, enhanced customer insights, and stronger financial performance. When 35.9% of households include someone with disability, businesses that fail to create inclusive workplaces and customer experiences are missing out on both talent and market opportunities.

As Australia's leading disability inclusion network for business, we're keen to contribute our members' collective expertise and insights to this important national conversation about productivity and economic growth.

Yesterday's announcement by Treasurer Jim Chalmers provided encouraging details - the roundtable will run from 19-21 August and focus on practical, budget-positive solutions, with "building a skilled and adaptable workforce" as one of the key pillars. We're particularly pleased to see the inclusion of civil society representatives alongside business and union leaders, and we look forward to contributing through the Treasury's upcoming submissions process.

At the same time, we're mindful that we want to be focusing on the issues that matter most to you.

That's why we're launching a quick, 3-question pulse survey to better understand your needs and priorities.

This brief check-in will ask you to:
• Rate your overall experience with AusDN
• Share how likely you are to recommend us to others
• Highlight your main priority for disability inclusion over the next 12 months

Your feedback will directly influence how we develop and improve our products, services, and member experience. 

Please provide your feedback via the button below or this link:

3 Question Pulse Survey Your Feedback

Our network is rich with knowledge and expertise in inclusive practices, and your input is crucial to driving meaningful change.

Thank you for helping us build a disability-confident Australia where people with disability fully participate as employees, customers, and stakeholders.

• Member Making an Impact: Westpac launches new A&I Plan
• 10% off eLearns ending soon
• Career Mentoring deadline extended
• Take part in our award-winning internship program
• Benchmark your access and inclusion practices
• Latest disability sector news

Westpac builds on 25 years of continued access and inclusion with new 3-year Plan

Westpac has launched its Access and Inclusion Plan for 2025-2028, crafted with input from stakeholders, the Access and Inclusion Committee, the Access and Inclusion team, and the celebrated ABLE Employee Advocacy Group.

The plan introduces a robust framework of strategic initiatives centred on three pivotal areas: Westpac’s customers, its workforce, and the broader community.

Anthony Miller, CEO of Westpac Group, emphasised the significance of these endeavours, stating, “We believe there should be no barriers to building deep and enduring customer relationships, being a place where the best people want to work, and being a leader in the community.” He continued, “Our Access and Inclusion Plan (2025–2028) builds on our 25-year legacy of working to deliver equal access for all, supporting people with visible and invisible disability and their carers, people who are injured, ill, or neurodivergent.”

Read more about Westpac's Access & Inclusion Plan 2025-2028.

Westpac's commitment to access and inclusion is exemplified by its recent accolades. In 2024, Westpac was recognised as a Top Performer in the Australian Disability Network’s Access and Inclusion Index. Additionally, the ABLE Employee Advocacy Group, established in 2010, earned the Disability Employee Network of the Year award just last month.

The Award judges said Westpac’s ABLE Employee Advocacy Group exemplifies excellence in fostering connection and support for employees with disability. The group, driven by passionate volunteers, has seen remarkable growth, with membership rising by 19% in the past year.

Read more about Westpac's ABLE network 

Members Making an Impact is a monthly segment that shines a spotlight on one of Australian Disability Network’s 460 member organisations that is making an impact in access and inclusion for people with disability.

10% off eLearns ending soon

Invest in your organisation's disability confidence with Australian Disability Network’s eLearning programs.

We have created 11 modules and offer the following four bundles:

• Disability confident workforces
• Disability confident managers
• Inclusive recruitment
• Inclusive customer experiences

All modules and bundles are available in two formats:

• eLearning licenses - 12 months access to your selected modules on a platform we host.
• SCORM files - permanently yours to embed into your LMS

And right now we are offering 10% off the SCORM file modules until 30 June 2025.

All modules, and this offer, are available to members and non-members; enquiries to memberexperienceteam@AusDN.org.au

Career Mentoring deadline extended

This transformative program, exclusive to Australian Disability Network members, is open for our Spring 2025 intake. Career Mentoring does more than just pair mentees with disability with workplace mentors – as can be seen with Hanes’ previous program experience, it creates lasting cultural change by building disability confidence throughout organisations, while providing valuable career development opportunities for everyone involved.

The deadline for members to participate in Career Mentoring Spring 2025 has been extended to 27^th June.

By participating in Career Mentoring, your organisation will:

• Foster deep cultural change and disability confidence
• Provide meaningful career development for your employees
• Build a more diverse and innovative workforce
• Connect with talented individuals with disability

Contact Program Lead Tia Kwan at Tia.Kwan@AusDN.org.au or 03 7032 3523, or book a meeting with Tia online.

Take part in our award-winning internship program

The Australian Disability Network’s Internship Program is designed to bridge the gap between talented university students and recent graduates with disability, and forward-thinking organisations committed to fostering inclusive workplaces. This program offers a unique opportunity for businesses to tap into a pool of skilled, motivated individuals who bring diverse perspectives and valuable insights to the workforce.

By participating in this program, your organisation can:

• Advance diversity and inclusion goals
• Promote disability confidence and awareness:
• Develop future leaders:
• Create a more inclusive workplace

If you are interested in hosting an intern this summer, reach out to the Program Lead Rudy Haruta, rudy.haruta@ausdn.org.au or +61 2 8270 9230

Benchmark your Access and Inclusion practices

Measure your access and inclusion activities in 2025!

Access and Inclusion Index submissions are now open for organisations to identify, measure, and progress disability confidence maturity across key areas of the business.

“The Access and Inclusion Index has been an invaluable guide to our journey to greater accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.” Michael Osman accepting the 2025 Access and Inclusion Top Performer award for Australia Post. 

Find out more or contact our Access and Inclusion Index Lead via email or phone 02 8270 9200 

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