Belonging by Design
Belonging doesn’t happen by accident. It’s shaped by the decisions we make, the environments we create and the way we involve people in designing the places, services and experiences we share.
Every day, organisations make decisions that influence whether people with disability feel welcomed, valued and included. From recruitment and onboarding to workplace culture, learning opportunities and customer experiences, the way we design our systems and processes can either create barriers or remove them.
Too often, accessibility and inclusion are considered after decisions have already been made. Belonging by Design challenges us to think differently: to involve people with disability from the beginning, listen to their perspectives and experiences, and make inclusion part of how we work, rather than something we add later.
Building on our journey
Over the past three years, our IDPwD Campaigns have encouraged organisations to take practical steps towards greater disability inclusion.
In 2024, we invited you to Choose Inclusion, recognising that inclusion begins with the decisions we make.
In 2025, Build Belonging introduced Pragmatic Universal Design, encouraging us to start where we are, learn as we go and build belonging one step at a time.
This year, Belonging by Design builds on that thinking by encouraging us to be more intentional about inclusion in our everyday decisions.
Designing for inclusion doesn’t mean having all the answers or getting everything right the first time. It means listening, involving people with disability, being open to different perspectives and continuing to improve.
Join us in building belonging
In the five weeks leading up to International Day of People with Disability on Thursday 3 December, we’ll explore how belonging can be designed into everyday experiences.
Together, we’ll look at the foundations of inclusion, inclusive recruitment and workplace transitions, accessible customer experiences, learning and development, and the people championing disability inclusion across our workplaces and communities.
Through stories, practical resources, learning opportunities and conversations, we’ll share ways to turn understanding into action, wherever you are on your inclusion journey.
Because when we design for inclusion, we create more opportunities for everyone to belong.
Make Belonging by Design part of your IDPwD celebrations.
Whether you’re planning an event, starting a conversation with your team or looking for practical ways to strengthen disability inclusion, we’ve created resources to help.
Our 2026 Media Kit and campaign resources include ideas, tools and ready-to-use materials to help you participate and share the message of Belonging by Design.
Discover the various ways Australian Disability Network can contribute to your event including a new interactive workshop offering – Practical strategies for engaging and influencing others.
[Download the 2026 IDPwD Campaign Kit]
Week One: Foundations for Inclusion
4–8 November 2026
Belonging begins with understanding.
Creating inclusive environments starts with recognising barriers, challenging assumptions and understanding how our everyday decisions shape people’s experiences.
Last year, Pragmatic Universal Design encouraged us to start where we are, learn as we go and build belonging one step at a time. This year, we’re building on that approach by encouraging more intentional inclusion in our everyday decisions, listening to people with disability and recognising opportunities to do things differently.
This week, explore our new I Belong Here film, practical resources and learning opportunities to help build understanding and start conversations in your workplace.
Featured resources and opportunities
- I Belong Here – short film
Our new short film, I Belong Here, explores what belonging means and how everyday attitudes, behaviours and interactions help create more inclusive workplaces.
Created as part of our new I Belong Here eLearning module, the film gives voice to lived experiences of disability. Co-designed with people with disability and performed by actors with lived experience, it explores what belonging means and the role we all play in creating inclusive workplaces.
Watch, share and start a conversation about what belonging looks like in your organisation.
[INSERT VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT HERE]
- Quick 10 – organisational inclusion self-review
- 10 Tips for Inclusive Attitudes and 10 Tips for Inclusive Allyship
- Disability and Neurodiversity Foundations eLearning Bundle
- Disability Confident Workforces and Neuroinclusion in the Workplace facilitated training
[LINKS ABOVE TO BE ADDED]
Week Two: Belonging in the Talent Journey
9–15 November 2026
Designing for inclusion through change and transition.
Starting a new job, joining a team or navigating organisational change can bring new opportunities, but also unexpected barriers.
When we involve people early, listen to their experiences and communicate clearly, we can create more inclusive transitions and help people feel welcomed and supported throughout their employment journey.
This week explores how inclusive recruitment, onboarding, workplace adjustments and change management can help organisations identify and remove barriers and create opportunities for belonging.
Stay tuned for the resources to be released.
Week Three: Learning by Doing – Building Inclusion and Leadership
16–22 November 2026
Building inclusion capability through practical experience.
Learning and development are important opportunities to build inclusive workplaces, but developing inclusion skills doesn’t only happen in a classroom.
Mentoring, internships and everyday workplace experiences can help employees strengthen their communication, coaching and leadership skills while creating meaningful career opportunities for people with disability.
You don’t need to be advanced in your disability inclusion journey to get involved. Learning through experience can be part of how your organisation builds its capability.
This week explores inclusive learning and development, the value of practical experience and how we can build belonging by learning together.
Stay tuned for the resources to be released.
Week Four: Inclusive Service by Design
23–29 November 2026
Creating welcoming, accessible and inclusive experiences for customers, clients and service users.
Every interaction can build or undermine belonging. Whether someone is visiting a store, calling a contact centre, accessing a service or communicating online, the experience can create barriers or help remove them.
Inclusive service starts with listening, understanding people’s experiences and offering choice in how they access information, communicate and engage with services.
This week explores practical ways to create more inclusive customer and service experiences, from accessible communication to welcoming interactions and responding to what people tell us.
Stay tuned for the resources to be released.
Week Five: Belonging by Design in Action
30 November – 3 December 2026
Celebrating the people and practices that help create belonging.
As we mark International Day of People with Disability on Thursday 3 December, we’re bringing together the ideas explored throughout the campaign.
Belonging is shaped by everyday decisions, inclusive practices and the people who champion them. Across our member network, individuals and organisations are finding ways to challenge barriers, strengthen inclusion and create opportunities for people with disability.
This week, we’ll share experiences and practical examples of inclusion, recognising the people whose commitment and leadership are helping to build more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Stay tuned for the resources to be released.