I-DAY is in community hands and we’ve hit the ground running. 

After more than 2 years of advocacy and detailed consultation, events for the UN International Day of People with Disability are being moved towards leadership by disabled people and our organizations. 

On Tuesday 3 December 2024 we hit the ground running with a 2-hour handover event featuring speakers, words, art and announcements for the future.  

During the first half of the event, we were joined by the ACT Minister for Disability, Suzanne Orr MLA, disability leaders in the ACT community and the new ACT I-Day Steering Committee to speak to the new Charter which will guide the observance of I-Day in the ACT in community hands.  The Minister also spoke to the transition during question time in the ACT Legislative Assembly.  

The Minister announced that she would endorse the Charter and commended the work of the community to bring about I-Day into community control. Disability leaders and the new steering committee members offered their hopes for I-Day highlighting phrases and passages from the Charter to guide their aspirations. Their words were bold, challenging and insightful, offering us a glimpse of the passion, drive and commitment they will bring to their work.

During the intermission we presented a showcase of written work and images from people with disability prepared specially for I-Day which spoke to the new community themes of voice, power, identity and self-direction. 

This was followed by Our lives, Our voices – shaping the future through voice, power, identity and self-direction featuring a panel discussion with Dr Rhonda Galbally AC, Disability Royal Commissioner, Renee Heaton, Chair of the ACT Disability Reference Group, Kat Reed, CEO of Women with Disabilities ACT, Sean Fitzgerald, Founder of Consumers in Control and pioneer of self-directed funding in ACT, Angela Braido Angela Braido, ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Reference Group Member and Craig Wallace, Head of Policy for Advocacy for Inclusion. 

Chaired by renowned national ABC Radio and television host Ellen Fanning, speakers offered insightful reflections, words of wisdom and a compelling call to action to the community to take control of our future direction.

I-Day is an opportunity to amplify the voices of people with disability and highlight barriers, gaps, talents and the need for communities to change.  

To view a recording of the event please see below.

To read highlights of the panel discussion ‘Our lives, our voices – shaping the future through voice, power, identity and self-direction’ please click the button below.