Dedicated online and phone support service launched for people with disability

Australians with disability will be encouraged to interact with a new dedicated one-stop shop providing advice and up-to-date information under a recently-launched national service

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the National Disability Gateway consists of an accessible website and a 1800 phone line staffed by people with lived experience in supporting Australians with disability.

“The disability community is very diverse and finding information about policies, programs and support available for individuals can be a challenge,” Minister Ruston said.

“The Disability Gateway is fast, easy to use and offers a range of accessible features for people with disability including an Easy Read toggle on every page.”

Minister Ruston said the name of the national campaign is ‘I can’ and would consist of television, radio, print, digital and social media advertisements.

“The campaign features people with lived experience of disability describing the benefits of using the new service,” Minister Ruston said.

“We worked extensively with people with disability and the disability sector to build a fit-for-purpose source of information and hope it will help all Australian communities to easily access advice and referral services.”

The Disability Gateway is able to assist with a range of support, from locating advocacy services, finding a sporting team that meets the needs of a person’s disability or identifying local disability-related events.

It is available at www.disabilitygateway.gov.au, or by calling 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm AEST. People with disability who need support in another language can also contact the Gateway on 1800 643 787 and ask for an interpreter.

Broadcast-quality television commercials and high-resolution versions of advertisements are available at www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/about