Our Advocacy for Disability Inclusion

People with disabilities in developing countries are among the poorest and most marginalised in the world. Too often, they are excluded and left behind.

But together, we can change this.

At CBM Australia, we stand for the one and for the one billion. We deliver programs that transform the lives of individual people with disabilities and advocate for systemic change for the one billion people with disabilities globally.

Our advocacy is grounded in the priorities of the disability movement. It is informed by evidence from our field programs, and insights from our Inclusion Advisory Group, who work in partnership with people with disabilities and their representative organisations.

Together with supporters like you, we call on the Australian Government to ensure their international development programs break down barriers and move towards equality for people with disabilities.

Advocacy Updates

Together, with the support of advocates like you, Australia has progressed as a world leader in disability equity and rights.

In recent years, the Australian Government has launched the International Disability Rights and Equity Strategy and the Stronger Movement, Stronger Futures initiative – major steps toward a more inclusive world.

Now, our advocacy focus is on turning these commitments into real change.

Stay up to date with our latest advocacy updates in the feed below, by signing up monthly emails using the form above, and by following CBM Australia on LinkedIn for more.

Join us at Micah Women's Network Dinners 2026

The Micah Women’s Network Tour 2026 is a series of nationwide dinners bringing together Christian women to connect, learn, and be equipped to use their voice for justice. Join us this March in cities across Australia for an evening of empowerment & action

Find out more about Join us at Micah Women's Network Dinners 2026

Our partners in Advocacy

Agus lives in Indonesia. As a person with a psychosocial disability, he advocates against institutionalisation and centres his work on truth and real stories. At the recent Australasian Aid Conference, we spent a few moments with him as he shared his thoughts on institutionalisation as a human rights issue.

Find out more about Our partners in Advocacy

Announcement of 'Stronger Movements, Stronger Futures'

The Australian government announced a $50 million for a new program called ‘Stronger Movements, Stronger Future’ that with support the leadership of people with disabilities and their representative organisations across our region.

Find out more about Announcement of 'Stronger Movements, Stronger Futures'

Pacific Emerging Leaders' Summit

Nafi Bai and Ulamila Biudole, supported by CBM Australia’s Government Relations Advisor, represented disability advocacy at the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders’ Summit in Canberra, meeting with leaders to call for equity at the heart of Pacific policy and programming.

Find out more about Pacific Emerging Leaders' Summit

Our policy platforms

The changes we want to see

People with disabilities have the right to access to quality healthcare. They have the right to learn. They have the right to earn a living. They have the right to be safe in a disaster, and they have the right to travel independently. But people with disabilities are disproportionately affected across all these areas.

That’s why we advocate for change. Our goal is to ensure people with disabilities are meaningfully involved in shaping solutions that impact their lives.

Explore the policy notes below to discover why this work is so important and the changes we’re calling for.