The public call for submissions process concluded on 15 December 2023.
Strategy Development process
The call for public submissions was opened from 1 November to 15 December 2023, where we received 90 public submissions. For further information about what we heard, please see the summary of consultations on the International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy.
Download easy read version
- New International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy [DOCX 8 MB]
- New International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy [PDF 2 MB]
DFAT consulted widely to ensure organisations and people with diverse backgrounds, disabilities, and geographic locations could contribute.
DFAT established an External Reference Group (ERG) of disability leaders to guide the Strategy development process. The Terms of Reference and a list of ERG members are publicly available.
The Strategy is informed by research, reports, data and evidence. DFAT has drawn on the views and priorities shared in public submissions provided to inform Australia's International Development Policy, the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy and the International Gender Equality Strategy.
DFAT invited all people and organisations within Australia, the region and internationally to have their say on the Strategy through a call for public submissions. DFAT particularly encouraged people with disability and their representative organisations to make a submission.
DFAT asked the following questions through the public submissions process:
- What should Australia prioritise to advance disability equity and rights internationally?
- What are the most effective approaches to progress these priorities?
- How can DFAT support the role of, and partner with, organisations of persons with disabilities?
- What are the biggest challenges to and opportunities for advancing disability equity and rights?
DFAT recognises that people with disability have a range of preferences for engaging with government processes. To accommodate this, DFAT accepted submissions via various methods including written submissions (email or post), video or audio recordings, or via WhatsApp.