AFI
Listens
AFI Listens is our community consultation platform — a space where people with disability can share what matters most to them.
Your Voice.
Your Story.
Your Pace.
Have your say on what you want AFI to focus on — at your own pace, in your own words.
My number 1 priority for AFI is:
Tell us the single most important issue you'd like AFI to focus on?
Our Current Consultations:
About AFI Listens
Canberrans with disability have spoken up – in the media, in the Assembly, in public forums, and online. That work has mattered. It has also been exhausting.
Too often, the listening in return has been partial or performative. Life-changing programs change without us. Strategies are developed around us. And being heard is not the same as being listened to.
Real listening means response. It means accountability. It means action.
AFI Listens exists to make that real.
This is a space to share your views, see what others are saying, and track what changes as a result. We’re committed to being open about how feedback is used – and to showing that it has been.
Because listening without change isn’t listening at all.
What we will do with your feedback
When you share feedback with us, we use it to understand people’s views, strengthen our advocacy, and inform our projects, reports, and recommendations.
You only need to share what you’re comfortable with. If you’d prefer to give feedback without your personal details, that’s fine.
We treat your information with care. We won’t use it for other purposes, share it beyond the people working on this project, or sell it – ever. If we use your feedback in a report or submission, we’ll remove identifying details unless you’ve agreed otherwise.
Your information is stored securely, in line with our privacy obligations.
If you want to access, correct, or ask questions about the information you have shared with us, please contact us.
Prioritising Royal Commission Reforms
AFI has been engaged by the ACT Government to provide advice on priorities for responding to the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
The Royal Commission made recommendations across a wide range of areas, including housing, safety, justice, education, employment and health. A key focus is how governments can give people with disability a greater voice in decisions affecting their lives.
We want to hear what matters most to you, where you think change is needed most, and what should be acted on first. You don’t need to have read the Royal Commission report to take part. We’re interested in your experiences and the changes you think should be prioritised.
Your feedback will help shape our advice on reform priorities, sequencing and implementation. This advice will be provided to the ACT Minister for Disability and senior officials. While the focus will be on ACT responses, many recommendations require joint effort from all governments, including discussion and collaboration with the Commonwealth. The ACT Government is seeking advice based on community experiences to help shape this work.
Have your say
We’re interested in hearing what matters most to you right now. We are also interested in hearing about your experiences in terms of safety, well-being and inclusion across a range of settings.
Join our lived experience workshop on Royal Commission Reforms
AFI is seeking expressions of interest from people with disability for a paid opportunity to participate in a workshop we plan to undertake around late August/early September 2026.
The workshop will explore which reforms should be the highest priorities for the ACT disability community, including the issues that have the greatest impact on people’s lives and where practical improvements can be made in the short to medium term.
The workshop will involve a time commitment of around two hours, including a small amount of preparation beforehand. Participants will be remunerated at a rate of $100 per hour.
Fill out the form below or email info@advocacyforinclusion.org to register
Expressions of interest close 7 August 2026.
NDIS Reforms
The NDIS is facing its most significant restructure since it was established.
Proposed changes include:
• Cuts of 30 per cent to social and community participation budgets from October 2026
• A reduction in average plan values of around $5,000
• New eligibility criteria that could see 160,000 participants leave the Scheme by 2030, and new Ministerial powers to reduce funding across categories of support without individual review.
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee is considering the legislation, with submissions now closing on 14 August 2026.
Advocacy for Inclusion is making a submission on behalf of the ACT Disability Caucus and wants to make sure the voices of Canberrans with disability are heard.
Tell us what the NDIS means to you
We want to hear from people with disability, families, carers and anyone with a perspective on these changes, in your own words and in whatever way feels right for you.
You might want to share what the NDIS makes possible in your life. You might want to tell us what you are worried about losing. You might want to describe what has already changed, or how these announcements have made you feel. There are no wrong answers here. Your experience and your voice matter.
Responses will be treated with care and in accordance with our privacy policy.
With your permission, your story may be included in future submissions by Advocacy for Inclusion, including our submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the NDIS Bill. If you would prefer your contribution to remain anonymous or not be included in submissions, please let us know in your response.
Transforming the Transport Experience
Getting around Canberra should feel safe, comfortable and easy, but for many people with disability, it does not. Public attitudes and the behaviour of transport staff play a significant role in shaping those experiences.
Transport Transformed is a project led by Advocacy for Inclusion, in partnership with Deloitte Access Economics and Rebus Theatre. It uses the real experiences of people with disability in the ACT to drive genuine attitudinal change across Canberra’s transport system, including buses, trams, taxis, rideshare and community transport.
Community feedback has shaped the research and co-design phases. This lived experience is now informing an interactive forum theatre production designed to challenge assumptions, build understanding and improve how transport personnel respond to people with disability.
This keeps lived experience at the centre of the solution, not as an afterthought.
Get involved
Project update
The initial research and co-design phases of Transport Transformed are now complete. A huge thank you to all the community members and stakeholders who shared their lived experience to help improve accessibility across Canberra’s transport system.
The project is now moving into its next stage in partnership with Rebus Theatre, which is developing an interactive forum theatre production exploring transport accessibility. The performances are designed to challenge assumptions, build understanding and help transform the attitudes of transport personnel.
If you would like to receive project updates or hear about opportunities to be involved in this next phase, please email info@advocacyforinclusion.org
Finding the Right Housing
Finding suitable, accessible and affordable housing in Canberra is often difficult for many people with disability. Information is scattered, the system is complex to navigate, and it can be difficult to connect housing options with the disability supports needed to live well.
AFI is working with the ACT Government to investigate whether a dedicated one-stop information and advisory service – a disability housing hub – could help.
Your input will directly inform advice on whether there’s a real gap, what people need, and what a service like this should look like if it goes ahead.
Have your Say on Housing
We want to hear from people with disability, families, carers, advocates and service providers about the challenges of finding suitable housing in Canberra. You can provide input by completing our short survey here: Finding the Right Housing - Exploring a Disability Housing Hub for the ACT Survey You can also provide feedback directly below if you would prefer. We are particularly interested in hearing about:
- Have you ever struggled to find suitable, accessible or affordable housing in Canberra, either for yourself or someone you support?
- If a free service existed to help people with disability find and navigate housing options in Canberra, would you use it?
- What additional information or support would help you find the housing you need?
- Anything else you would like to tell us?
ACT Companion Card: Program Review
Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) has been engaged by the ACT Government to review the ACT Companion Card program.
As part of this review, we want to hear from people with knowledge or experience of the program. This includes cardholders, potential cardholders, family members, supporters, businesses, venues, service providers, and others with an interest in how the program works in practice.
Your feedback will help shape our recommendations about what is working well and what could be improved.
Have your say on the ACT Companion Card program review
This has now closed, we will send and update when the project concludes
NDIS Reforms
The NDIS is facing its most significant restructure since it was established.
Proposed changes include:
• Cuts of 30 per cent to social and community participation budgets from October 2026
• A reduction in average plan values of around $5,000
• New eligibility criteria that could see 160,000 participants leave the Scheme by 2030, and new Ministerial powers to reduce funding across categories of support without individual review.
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee is considering the legislation, with submissions now closing on 14 August 2026.
Advocacy for Inclusion is making a submission on behalf of the ACT Disability Caucus and wants to make sure the voices of Canberrans with disability are heard.
Tell us what the NDIS means to you
We want to hear from people with disability, families, carers and anyone with a perspective on these changes, in your own words and in whatever way feels right for you.
You might want to share what the NDIS makes possible in your life. You might want to tell us what you are worried about losing. You might want to describe what has already changed, or how these announcements have made you feel. There are no wrong answers here. Your experience and your voice matter.
Responses will be treated with care and in accordance with our privacy policy.
With your permission, your story may be included in future submissions by Advocacy for Inclusion, including our submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the NDIS Bill. If you would prefer your contribution to remain anonymous or not be included in submissions, please let us know in your response.
Transforming the Transport Experience
Getting around Canberra should feel safe, comfortable and easy, but for many people with disability, it does not. Public attitudes and the behaviour of transport staff play a significant role in shaping those experiences.
Transport Transformed is a project led by Advocacy for Inclusion, in partnership with Deloitte Access Economics and Rebus Theatre. It uses the real experiences of people with disability in the ACT to drive genuine attitudinal change across Canberra’s transport system, including buses, trams, taxis, rideshare and community transport.
Community feedback has shaped the research and co-design phases. This lived experience is now informing an interactive forum theatre production designed to challenge assumptions, build understanding and improve how transport personnel respond to people with disability.
This keeps lived experience at the centre of the solution, not as an afterthought.
Get involved
Project update
The initial research and co-design phases of Transport Transformed are now complete. A huge thank you to all the community members and stakeholders who shared their lived experience to help improve accessibility across Canberra’s transport system.
The project is now moving into its next stage in partnership with Rebus Theatre, which is developing an interactive forum theatre production exploring transport accessibility. The performances are designed to challenge assumptions, build understanding and help transform the attitudes of transport personnel.
If you would like to receive project updates or hear about opportunities to be involved in this next phase, please email info@advocacyforinclusion.org
Finding the Right Housing
Finding suitable, accessible and affordable housing in Canberra is often difficult for many people with disability. Information is scattered, the system is complex to navigate, and it can be difficult to connect housing options with the disability supports needed to live well.
AFI is working with the ACT Government to investigate whether a dedicated one-stop information and advisory service – a disability housing hub – could help.
Your input will directly inform advice on whether there’s a real gap, what people need, and what a service like this should look like if it goes ahead.
Have your Say on Housing
We want to hear from people with disability, families, carers, advocates and service providers about the challenges of finding suitable housing in Canberra. You can provide input by completing our short survey here: Finding the Right Housing - Exploring a Disability Housing Hub for the ACT Survey You can also provide feedback directly below if you would prefer. We are particularly interested in hearing about:
- Have you ever struggled to find suitable, accessible or affordable housing in Canberra, either for yourself or someone you support?
- If a free service existed to help people with disability find and navigate housing options in Canberra, would you use it?
- What additional information or support would help you find the housing you need?
- Anything else you would like to tell us?