Inclusion is not a policy. It’s a practice.
Turning strategy into meaningful change through design, leadership, and lived experience.
Across boardrooms, building sites, and policy launches, the conversation around disability inclusion in Australia is evolving – and fast.
In the past year, we’ve seen a wave of developments that signal a shift in intent, a new government disability inclusion strategy, a landmark global workplace survey, and a renewed call to embed inclusion in the built environment, not as an add-on, but as a foundation.
At Get Skilled Access (GSA), we view this moment as both a milestone and an opportunity – a chance to transition from good intentions to meaningful action.
A national strategy that sets the tone
The launch of Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy in late 2024 marked a major step forward. It’s the first time in almost a decade that disability equity has been explicitly embedded into the country’s global engagement, and the first time performance targets have been introduced for disability inclusion in our international development program.
This isn’t just a policy, it’s a disability inclusion strategy that recognises the need to partner with people with lived experience and shift systems, not just attitudes.
It’s a powerful signal. But signals don’t shift culture on their own. That happens closer to home, in our organisations, our workplaces, and our everyday decisions.
From strategy to workplace reality
- Nearly three-quarters of Australian respondents who requested workplace adjustments had at least one request rejected.
- Many feared being seen as “difficult” for asking.
- Almost half experienced bullying, microaggressions or harassment, yet only some felt safe enough to report it.
Designing for equity, not just compliance
“Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome.”
Where we fit in
We’re not policymakers. We don’t write government strategies. What we do is support the people responsible for bringing them to life.
From local councils to major employers, we partner with organisations to turn high-level aspirations into practical, everyday inclusion.
That means:
- Equipping teams with the tools to embed access into their buildings, culture, and systems
- Facilitating workshops grounded in lived experience, not just compliance
- Co-developing disability inclusion strategies that are achievable, not abstract
One example of this in action is our work with Medibank. Together, we co-designed an immersive lived experience session that brought disability inclusion into the heart of leadership conversations, building empathy, shifting mindsets, and informing future strategy.
Testimonial
GSA is a trusted partner of Medibank, flexible, responsive and innovative in their approaches. The team at GSA have enabled Medibank to build a disability confident culture that focuses on creating positive experiences for both our customers and employees with disabilities.
Checkout the Medibank Immersive Experience Video
An invitation to lead differently
What these recent developments show, whether in national policy, organisational culture, or inclusive design, is that Australia is ready for a different kind of leadership.
One that doesn’t rely solely on top-down mandates, but on real relationships. One that’s less about knowing the answers, and more about asking the appropriate questions.
As a country, we’re learning that disability inclusion strategy isn’t just about frameworks, it’s about action. It’s about embedding accessibility and equity into the way we work, design, hire, build, and connect.
And for those ready to move from policy to practice, we’re here to work alongside you. Let’s build something better – together.
