Building Inclusive Communities Through D-Connect

I grew up with, have many friends who have, and now work alongside many people who live with disability. Because of that, it still amazes me how often accessibility is treated as optional, as though inclusion is something extra, rather than essential.

Growing up with a parent who lived with disability shaped how I see community. My mum is an incredibly talented artist, yet I have lost count of the number of classes and workshops she hasn’t been able to attend simply because the space wasn’t accessible. Those experiences stay with me. They remind me that accessibility is not about special treatment; it is about equal opportunity to participate, to belong, and to share what you love with others.

That understanding became the foundation for D-Connect.

D-Connect was developed to build genuine connection across the South West not only among people with disability, their families, and supporters, but also with the many community groups, local councils, and organisations already working to make their programs and spaces inclusive. From this vision, D-Connect was born as a community-building initiative focused on connection, collaboration, and change.

D-Connect serves as a central connection point where individuals can share experiences, raise concerns, and access information about the NDIS, Disability Support Pension (DSP), and other community supports. More importantly, it is a space where people’s voices are heard. Through ongoing conversations, we identify the barriers that prevent full participation and work alongside communities to remove them so accessibility and inclusion can continue to grow across the South West.

True connection and friendship often begin through shared interests, not just shared circumstances. Two people who both use a wheelchair may not automatically become friends but when the local craft group becomes accessible and my mum can join and share her artistic skills, connection happens naturally. That is what D-Connect strives for: not creating separate spaces ,but helping existing ones open their doors wider.

Membership in D-Connect is free and open to anyone who wants to contribute to a more inclusive South West. People can join online through the D-Connect forum at https://d-connect.groups.io/g/southwestor in person through one of our local D-Connect groups. Both options provide flexible and accessible ways to connect, learn, and collaborate.

The All Access Event Review Group

A key initiative within D-Connect is the All Access Event Review Group, which brings lived experience directly into the planning and delivery of community events.

Advocacy WA already supports businesses and organisations through accessibility audits, inclusive-practice training, and information sessions. Expanding this approach to community events was a natural next step, particularly after hearing stories from people who attended events that fell short of being inclusive.

Through the All Access Event Review Group, D-Connect members volunteer to attend local events and complete short accessibility and inclusion reviews. These reviews provide practical feedback to event organisers,highlighting what is working well and identifying small, achievable improvements that can make a meaningful difference.

At times, Advocacy WA receives complimentary event tickets,which are offered to reviewers in exchange for completing a survey. In other cases, members choose to attend as volunteers. All reviewers are supported by Advocacy WA’s Community Team, who provide training, supervision, and ongoing guidance to ensure everyone feels confident and supported in their role.

Become a Community Mentor

We are also seeking people who are passionate about accessibility and inclusion to join our Community Mentor Program.

Our mentors play an important role in helping to make theSouth West more inclusive by learning how to support others, share knowledge,and champion change in their own communities.

We offer free mentor training designed to help you build confidence as an advocate for accessibility and inclusion. You do not need any prior experience just a genuine desire to make a difference. Advocacy WA will provide ongoing training, guidance, and support every step of the way.

As long as you care about inclusion, you are the right fit for this program.

If you would like to learn more or register your interest in becoming a Community Mentor, please complete the short form below:

https://forms.office.com/r/yNa3ZtatQP

Why D-Connect Matters

D-Connect is more than a network it is a community-driven movement to strengthen inclusion from the ground up. By centring lived experience, connecting individuals with opportunities, and supporting community organisations to understand accessibility in practical ways, D-Connect promotes participation, belonging, and dignity for all.

When community spaces and events become accessible, people can join groups based on their interests, whether that’s art, sport, gardening, or volunteering, and belonging grows naturally from there. That is the heart of inclusion: when everyone can show up as themselves and take part fully in community life.

Through initiatives like the All Access Event Review Group and the Community Mentor Program, D-Connect helps ensure that inclusion is notan afterthought but an expectation embedded in everything we do as a community.

How to Get Involved

Joining D-Connect is free and open to anyone who shares a commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

If you would like to express interest in joining the All Access Event Review Group,becoming a Community Mentor,or learning more about upcoming opportunities, please complete the relevant Expression of Interest form or contact our team

• All Access Event Review Group: https://forms.office.com/r/a2a3dAehPT
• Community Mentor Program: https://forms.office.com/r/yNa3ZtatQP

To learn more about D-Connect or to connect with our Community Team, email community@advocacywa.org.au.

Together, we can build a South West where accessibility is the standard, inclusion is the culture, and everyone has the opportunity to connect, participate, and belong.

We are proudly delivering D-Connect under the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant through the NDIS.

This funding supports D-Connect to empower people with disability to share lived experience, lead local change, and build stronger, more inclusive communities across the South West.