Tag: Disability Commissioner

Disability Commissioner Tasmania Newsletter-February 2026

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Here are some highlights from the February newsletter of the Disability Commissioner Tasmania.

disability

In this issue:

Join the Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Advisory Council

Expressions of interest are now open for Tasmanians to serve as council members or chairperson of the first Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Advisory Council under the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024.

The Council will advise the Minister and the Disability Commissioner on improving access and inclusion for Tasmanians with Disability.

Council members will receive sitting and preparation fees. Travel, accommodation and adjustments will be covered.

What will the Council do?

  • Provide consultation on the Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan – a roadmap for government action
  • Assist government agencies to improve access, uphold disability rights, and remove barriers once the Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan is implemented.
  • Provide policy advice to identify barriers and practical solutions.
  • Collaborate with other councils locally and nationally to share ideas and strengthen access and inclusion.

Who can apply?

If you are a Tasmanian with Disability or a Tasmanian connected to the Disability community, we encourage you to apply. We welcome applicants with different types of disability, living in all areas of our state, First Nations people, and LGBTIQA+ community members.

Support with applications is available through our office and Disability Voices Tasmania. You can phone Disability Voices Tasmania on 6215 6800 or email office@disabilityvoicestas.org.au. 

Information Sessions

Together with Disability Voices Tasmania, we will hold information sessions around the state to learn more about the council, to ask questions, and help with applications. Sessions have been confirmed for:

  • Burnie – 18 February, 1:15pm-2:15pm, Burnie Library 
  • Queenstown – 19 February, 12:30pm-1:30pm, West Coast Community Services Hub 
  • Launceston – 4 March, 11:15am-12:15pm, Launceston Library 

Information sessions will also be held in Kingston, Huonville, Bicheno, and St Helens. Stay tuned to our socials and website for dates and times.

Visit the Join our Council web page for more information and to register for a session.

Applications close 24 March 2026.

Add your voice to Tasmania’s first Inclusion Plan

Tasmania is developing its first Disability Inclusion Plan, and your voice is needed.

The plan is a key measure of the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act. It outlines clear expectations for government to ensure Tasmanians with disability can participate fully, safely, and with dignity in everyday life.

We will make a submission to the consultation. If you would like to contribute but don’t feel comfortable making your own submission, please contact us to have your views included.

More information

More information on the Discussion Paper and ways to have your say, are available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website – Department of Premier and Cabinet – Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan – Consultation.

Consultation closes 10 March 2026.

Submissions

We recently made submissions to the following consultations. You can read our submissions on the website.

Disability Safeguards Consultation

A submission was made to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as part of the development of a Disability Support Quality and Safeguarding Framework.Our submission focused on systemic issues rather than individual questions. We highlighted the need for reforms that are practical, enforceable and accessible, noting Tasmania’s high digital disadvantage and the importance of cultural change alongside legal reform.

Read our submission to the Disability Safeguards consultation


Disability Discrimination Act (Commonwealth) Review

The Commissioner has also made a submission to the review of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act.In our submission, we supported modernising the way disability and discrimination are defined, introducing a positive duty to prevent discrimination, clearer obligations to provide adjustments across employment, education and services, and reforms to make the Act easier to use and more effective in practice, including protections against harassment, offensive behaviour and vilification.

Read our submission to the review of the Disability Discrimination Act. 

Other News

Local engagement officers needed for the Census

Do you have experience working with local communities? 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is preparing for the next Census on Tuesday 11 August 2026 and is recruiting Local Engagement Officers to help support community participation.

Local Engagement Officers lead a team of field staff and coordinate Census activities to support people to complete the Census. They build relationships, answer questions at information sessions, and help make sure everyone is represented.

Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Careers web page for more information on the roles. 

About Arts and Disability Network Australia

Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA), is a new organisation that connects, champions and amplifies the voices of d/Deaf artists, and artists, arts workers and screen practitioners with disability nationwide. You can learn more about ADNA and stay up to date on initiatives and opportunities by:

You can also book a 20-minute one-to-one consultation with Sarah-Mace Dennis, the National Director of ADNA. These take place on Mondays between 2:00pm-5:00pm AEDT (Melbourne). You can use this time to meet Sarah, discuss your practice or organisation and talk about any ideas you have for the future of ADNA.

Creative Workplaces Survey

The Creative Workplaces Survey is the first national survey by the Australian Government to understand the working experiences of people in creative industries. It will focus on pay and working conditions, safety at work, bullying, discrimination and harassment. Feedback from this survey will help inform future policies, programs, advocacy, and training opportunities to improve standards and safety in creative workplaces. 

ADNA is providing one on one access support to d/Deaf artists, and artists, arts workers and screen practitioners with disability to help complete the Creative Workplaces Survey. If you would like to participate, call ADNA on 08 8463 1689 or email hello@artsdisabilitynetwork.com.au. The survey closes on 23 February 2026.

More information about the survey

Events

Disability Commissioner Tasmania will share information about events we know are happening within the Tasmanian Disability community. These events are not run by the Commissioner and are not part of her work. Contact us if you would like to have your event considered for inclusion in this newsletter.

Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum

24-25 February 2026, Adelaide, in-person and online. The forum will focus on two key topics­­: health and safeguarding, with presentations, discussions and sharing learnings and ideas. The forum is for people with disability, community leaders, allies, family members, carers, supporters, and governments.

In-person registrations have now closed; however, you can still register to join online. Learn more and register via the forum web page.

Looking Ahead

Living My Best Life Art Exhibition regional tour

We are working with Libraries Tasmania to tour the Living My Best Life Art Exhibition to regional libraries in the state. More details will be available soon. In the meantime, you can learn more about the exhibition, artists and artworks on our website.