Rights & Inclusion Australia (R&IA) is a national Disabled People's Organisation promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disability, with a focus on accessibility in the built environment. R&IA activities include work with First Nations people and Asia Pacific programs. R&IA is a member of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) and Asia Pacific Disability Forum (APDF).
News & Updates
January 2022 - Victoria Disability & Housing Forum dates finalised
Dates for the Opening the Door project's "Victoria Disability & Housing Forum' have been finalised. Like the forums successfully held in other states in 2022, the Forum will consist of both online sessions and in person workshops.
Victoria - Online Sessions
- Monday 13 February 2023, 11:30am - 1:00pm: Pathways to Housing for People with Disability in Victoria. Register here
- Tuesday 14 February 2023, 11:30am - 1:00pm: Dealing with Tenancy Issues for People with Disability in Victoria. Register here
- Wednesday 15 February 2023, 11:30am - 1:00pm: National Disability Insurance Scheme: Home and Living Supports. Register here
Victoria - Face-to-face 'Opening the Door' Housing Workshops
- Tuesday 21 February, 10:00am - 2:00pm: Melbourne CBD. Storey Hall, 336/348 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Register here
- Wednesday 22 February, 10:00am - 2:00pm: Bendigo. MacKenzie Hall, 10-12 MacKenzie Street, Bendigo. Register here
30 September 2022 - Release of Productivity Commission's Report on Housing and Homelessness Agreement Review
The Productivity Commission has published its Study Report In Need of Repair: The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement. The report examines how well the Australian, State and Territory Governments have achieved the objectives, outcomes and outputs set out in the Agreement, and the suitability of the Agreement for the future. You can access the In Need of Repair: The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement and shorter overview document here.
Importantly, the report makes significant reference to people with disability, and the challenges they disproportionately face due to the current housing crisis in Australia.
31 May 2022 - Sue Salthouse AM’s tireless work further acknowledged through awarding of Honorary Doctorate by University of Canberra
We were delighted to be able to attend a ceremony at the University of Canberra on Wednesday 25 May, where Sue was posthumously awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her many contributions. The award was received by Sue's daughter Luisa Fearnside. This is the first honorary doctorate conferred posthumously in the University’s 32-year history, and is further to Sue's being awarded as a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia earlier this year. As the University noted, Sue's life was one of dedication, service and commitment to others , whether by supporting individuals through difficult times, mentoring young and emerging leaders or by working for systemic change at local, national and international levels to promote and advance the rights and freedoms of women with disabilities. You can read more of the University's awarding of the honorary doctorate to Sue here.
Please consider subscribing to R&IA’s monthly eNewsletters, and eBulletins. We will send out eBulletins as we have relevant time-bound information to share - this includes discrete eBulletins for the Opening the Door project.
R&IA's annual forum was held in September 2021. It had a focus on the approval of accessible housing standards to the National Construction Code 2022 and addressing the challenges to adoption by NSW and SA. View further forum details here.
Opening the Door Project
The Opening the Door project aims to support people with disability to achieve choice and control with their housing options. To learn more about the project and to access useful links and resources, go to the Opening the Door project page by clicking on the logo.
Click on the thumbnail below to see the ‘Introduction to the Project’ video. Other project videos can be viewed on the Opening the Door page, including an overview of the Australian housing context.
Introduction to the Opening the Door project (Video 1)
Building Better Homes - A National Building Code for All Australians
The NSW and WA governments are yet to commit to implementing accessible housing to the new 2022 National Construction Code. This will take effect in other states from 1 May 2023. To contact either government to let them know how important accessible housing is for ALL Australians click on the Building Better Homes logo. Rights & Inclusion Australia is an active partner in the Building Better Homes campaign.
Membership & Donations
To become a member of R&IA or to make a donation click on the button below.