News

14 January 2026

The Minister for Disability Services is now inviting expressions of interest from individuals to serve as council members or as Chairperson of the inaugural Disability Inclusion Advisory Council for Tasmania.

The Council will provide advice to the Minister and the Disability Commissioner on inclusion and access for Tasmanians with disability.

The Council will:

• Provide consultation on the Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan – a roadmap for government action to ensure Tasmanians with disability can participate fully, safely, and with dignity in everyday life.
• Assist government agencies to improve access, uphold disability rights, and remove barriers once the Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan (now in consultation) is implemented.
• Advise on policy to identify barriers and practical solutions.
• Collaborate with other councils, sharing ideas locally and nationally.

If you are a Tasmanian with Disability or a Tasmanian connected to the Disability community, we encourage you to apply.

We welcome applicants from as many areas in Tasmania as possible, and experience of/or connection to a wide range of disabilities. We also encourage First Nations people and members of the LGBTIQA+ community to apply.

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

More information, including how to apply and the terms of reference in a variety of accessible formats, is available on our Join the Disability Inclusion Advisory Council page.

16 December 2025

The Department of Premier and Cabinet is inviting input into the development of the first Disability Inclusion Plan for the state.

The Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan is a key measure of the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024. The plan is a whole of government approach setting clear expectations and responsibilities of government agencies to ensure Tasmanians with Disability can participate fully, safely, and with dignity in everyday life.

The plan is about creating meaningful change, shaped by the voices and experiences of Tasmanians with Disability, their support network, advocacy groups, peak bodies, and wider community.

More information and the Discussion Paper, available in a range of formats, is on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website - Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan consultation.

The Discussion Paper also summarises previous feedback given as part of the NDIS Review, the Royal Commission, and Tasmanian Disability Consultations.

There will be a mix of online and in-person consultation sessions held across the state. Regional forums are also planned for February.

You can share your thoughts and views in writing, audio, video, and in person.

Consultation closes on 10 March 2026.

Friday 12 December 2025

Disability Commissioner Tasmania proudly presented the Living My Best Life Art Exhibition, a bold and visionary celebration of the creativity and individuality of Tasmanians with disability.

The exhibition brought together 19 artists who created works in a variety of mediums that each reflected what living a good life means to them.

Held on Wednesday 10 December and Thursday 11 December, the exhibition is accompanied by an online gallery for those unable to attend in person.

This event celebrates International Day of People with Disability and Human Rights Day.

Disability Commissioner, Dr Catherine Whitington, said the exhibition provided a platform for shared understandings of inclusion and human rights by asking the question 'What is living your best your life?'.

"This exhibition elevated the individual perspectives and experiences of Tasmanians with disability, in ways that are meaningful to them," Dr Whitington said.

"We all have our own ideas of what a good life is. For people with disability, expressing this directly can be complex and might not match what the broader community expects."

"The breadth and diversity of those ideas, and the experiences that shape individual people, are showcased in this exhibition, whether they are joyful, curious, or grapple with complex themes."

"We invited the community to share in these experiences, to listen, learn, and celebrate the works and the artists behind them."

The exhibition featured painting, ceramics, printmaking, textile design, photography, creative writing, digital art, and song. All works and information were audio described.

Disability Commissioner Tasmania also plans to tour the exhibition in 2026.

View the online gallery: Living My Best Life Art Exhibition | Disability Commissioner Tasmania