South Australia has set out a new four-year strategy to drive accessibility and fairness, with the launch of the Disability Inclusion Plan 2025–2029. The plan aims to make the state a leader in improving opportunities for people with disability.
The initiative builds on the first State Disability Inclusion Plan introduced in 2019 and has been co-designed with people who have lived experience of disability. It establishes a framework for removing barriers across education, employment, health, justice, and community participation. More than 100 state agencies and local councils will be required to set targets and embed inclusion into their operations through their own Disability Access and Inclusion Plans.
The approach is shaped by the social model of disability, which holds that disability is not caused by an individual’s condition but by the barriers society places in their way. By addressing systemic, environmental, and attitudinal barriers, the government aims to improve outcomes and participation for all South Australians with disability.
With 5.5 million Australians, around 21 per cent of the population, reporting a disability, and disability discrimination still the most common complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission, the plan is being launched at a critical time. It highlights five domains for action: inclusive environments and communities, education and employment, personal and community support, health and wellbeing, and safety, rights, and justice. It also recognises the needs of older people with disability and the role of carers in building inclusive communities.
Human Services Minister Nat Cook said the new framework was about ensuring equal participation. “This plan builds on our ongoing commitment to ensure South Australians with disability feel safe, included and able to participate equally in our community,” she said.
She described the plan as a chance to rethink how inclusion is designed and delivered. “It’s a powerful opportunity to reset how we think about, design and drive inclusion across all aspects of society,” she said.
Cook thanked people with lived experience for shaping the outcome. “We thank everyone, especially those with lived experience for their invaluable contributions in shaping this plan. I especially thank members of the Disability Minister’s Advisory Council, who were so actively engaged throughout the consultation process,” she said.
The plan is available at inclusive.sa.gov.au/SDIP.
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