Our Stretch Disability Action Plan 2026-2028
Advancing access, inclusion and participation
At Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL), we are committed to advancing access, inclusion and participation for people with disability - within our organisation and in the broader community.
Our Stretch Disability Action Plan (DAP) 2026–2028 outlines how we are strengthening disability inclusion across our workforce, leadership, systems and culture. It builds on the progress achieved through our inaugural Disability Action Plan (2022) and marks the next stage in our ongoing journey.
This plan reflects our belief that meaningful inclusion is essential to achieving our vision of an Australia free of poverty.
Why disability inclusion matters
More than one in five Australians identify as having a disability, and many more will experience disability during their lifetime. Yet people with disability continue to face systemic barriers to employment, participation and access.
Disability often intersects with other forms of disadvantage, increasing the risk of poverty, exclusion and discrimination.
At BSL, we recognise that:
- disability is a valued part of human diversity
- lived experience must inform decisions that affect people’s lives
- accessibility benefits everyone
- inclusion is both a human right and a shared responsibility
Embedding access and inclusion internally strengthens our ability to design and deliver programs, services and advocacy that are inclusive, effective and responsive.
Our approach
Our approach to disability inclusion is guided by clear principles that shape how we work across BSL.
We:
- use the Social Model of Disability, recognising that barriers are created by systems, environments and attitudes
- practice universal design in the development of projects, services and systems
- aspire to be an employer of choice for people with disability
- embed inclusive practices into everyday ways of working
- treat digital and physical accessibility as a human right
- promote psychologically and culturally safe environments
- actively prevent discrimination in all forms
We apply an intersectional lens, recognising that people’s experiences of disability are shaped by multiple identities and life experiences, and that some face compounded barriers.
Strategic alignment
The Stretch Disability Action Plan supports Strategy 2030, BSL’s organisational strategy guiding our work toward our centenary and long‑term vision.
The plan contributes to:
- Impact Objective 3 - empowering people to live the lives they aspire to
- Enabling Objective 1 - enabling staff and volunteers to contribute fully
- Enabling Objective 2 - strengthening culture, capability and innovation
How the plan was developed
Guided by the principle “nothing about us without us”, the Stretch Disability Action Plan was developed through extensive consultation and collaboration.
This included:
- partnership and input from Australian Disability Network
- consultation with people with disability through our Disability Inclusion Network
- workshops and engagement with senior leaders across all business areas
- analysis of workforce and DEI data
- alignment with other organisational commitments, including reconciliation
This process ensures our plan is informed by lived experience, evidence and organisational context.
Looking ahead
This plan represents our commitment to continuous improvement.
We acknowledge that disability inclusion is a journey - one that requires humility, listening and action. As the external environment evolves, including reforms to disability discrimination legislation, our approach will adapt to meet higher standards and emerging best practice.
Through the Stretch Disability Action Plan, we aim to create lasting, meaningful change within BSL and contribute to a more inclusive and accessible society.