International Day of People with Disability 2025

Those with lived experience of disability are gearing up for one of the most important days on the disability calendar.

People around the world will soon come together to commemorate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).

A United Nations observed day, held on 3 December each year, the theme of this year’s event is ‘Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress’.

Each country has a slightly different way of commemorating the day. However, they all involve events and conversations around improving accessibility, commitment to inclusion and fostering acceptance of all those living with disability.

In Australia, the Federal Government works alongside schools, organisations, community groups and businesses to increase public awareness, understanding and recognition of people with disability, and to celebrate their achievements and contributions through storytelling.

As it does each year, IDPwD Australia organisers have put together an expert panel of six impressive ambassadors to champion its cause across all states and territories.

Multi-award-winning living experience advocate Isabella Choate is the youngest of those chosen. Isabella founded Western Australia’s first Disability Pride Festival after being named the WA Young Person of the Year in 2024. She is the CEO of the Youth Disability Advocacy Network, was a finalist for Young Australian of the Year (WA) and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Maree Jenner boasts equally impressive credentials. Maree facilitates the social fitness school inclusion programs, ‘Same but Different’ and ‘Champions for Change’, which aim to remove social barriers and encourage inclusion. Outside of the classroom, Maree works with the Central Coast Council’s Access and Inclusion Reference Group, Accessible Arts NSW and Short Statured People of Australia.

Olivia Sidhu is another working hard to drive change for people living with disability. A Health Ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia, Olivia works tirelessly in her community educating healthcare professionals about inclusive communication for people with Down Syndrome to improve their health outcomes.

There’s not much fellow ambassador Santiago Velasquez Hurtado cannot do. The CEO and founder of two companies, he is also an accomplished innovator, designer and blind electrical engineer. A UN panellist, Churchill Fellow and TEDx speaker, Santiago combines his lived experience of disability and professional skills to invent solutions to make the world more accessible.

Ronan Soussa is instantly recognisable for his television work. An Autistic advocate, performer and piano player, he is best known for his appearance on the second season of Love on the Spectrum on ABC and Netflix.

Last but by no means least is award-winning model, speaker, content creator, writer, athlete and advocate James Parr. James won the GQ Model of the Year Award in 2023, was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2024 and is a TEDx speaker on intersectionality. A proud Wiradjuri man, James uses his role to talk about inclusivity and diversity in the modelling industry.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Jenny McAllister, said the 2025 ambassadors were champions of the rights and dignity of people with disability.

“They are people who all work to help create a society where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to thrive.”

“International Day of People with Disability is one day, but it is there to remind us all to accept and respect the 5.5 million Australians with disability every single day. Let us all make a conscious effort this year to challenge stereotypes and attitudes faced by people with disability.”