Fifteen Australians with disability will take part in 2 United Nations conferences in New York this year.

These independent civil society delegates come from government and business sectors. Each will tell their unique stories of lived experience on the world stage. They take part through the Supporting Participation Program.

Gender equality

The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69)(Opens external website) was from 10 to 21 March 2025.

They discussed gender equality and the empowerment of women, including the barriers faced by women and girls with disability.

This year’s funded CSW69 civil society delegates and their supporting organisations were:

  • Trinity Ford, People with Disability Australia
  • Tahlia-Rose Vanissum, People with Disability Australia
  • Sophie Cusworth, Women With Disabilities Australia
  • Sarah Smallman, Women With Disabilities Australia

Rights of people with disability

The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)(Opens external website) will be from 10 to 12 June 2025.

This is one of the most important meetings of people with disability in the world.

It brings together organisations to discuss the CRPD, including:

  • governments
  • human rights institutions
  • academics
  • disability rights and civil society organisations.

This year’s funded COSP18 civil society delegates and their supporting organisations are:

  • Jennifer Blyth, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
  • Jane Spring AM, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
  • Alexander Tofler, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
  • Ebe Ganon, Children and Young People with Disability Australia
  • Jason McCurry, Children and Young People with Disability Australia
  • Luke Nelson, Inclusion Australia
  • Lisa Ira, People with Disability Australia
  • Tahlia-Rose Vanissum, People with Disability Australia
  • Elly Desmarchelier, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion
  • Tom Dixon, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion
  • Sophie Cusworth, Women With Disabilities Australia

Learn more

For more information, visit the International disability rights page.

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