The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Jenny McAllister, has today announced this year’s International Day of People with Disability Ambassadors for Australia.
International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations day held on 3 December each year. The six ambassadors for 2025 will promote disability inclusion in the lead-up to the day. They bring unique stories and invaluable insights to drive positive change and promote greater community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
The Australian Government funds a national program to help raise awareness of the day, as part of its commitment to uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
International Day of People with Disability 2025 Ambassadors:
Maree Jenner is a long-time advocate of participation and engagement in her community. She facilitates the Social Futures school inclusion programs, ‘Same but Different’ and ‘Champions for Change’, which aim to remove social barriers and encourage inclusion for people with disability. Beyond the classroom, she drives community change through her roles with the Central Coast Council’s Access and Inclusion Reference Group, Accessible Arts NSW and Short Statured People of Australia.
Santiago Velasquez Hurtado is the CEO and founder of two companies, and an accomplished innovator and designer. Santiago utilises his lived experience and degree in electrical engineering to invent solutions to make the world more accessible. As a UN panellist, Churchill Fellow and Tedx speaker, he is determined to change the way the world perceives people with disability.
James Parr is an award-winning model, speaker, content creator, writer, athlete and advocate. He is a proud Wiradjuri man and uses his role to talk about inclusivity and diversity in the modelling industry. James won the GQ Model of the Year Award in 2023, was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2024 and is a Tedx speaker.
Olivia Sidhu is a health ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia and has represented Australia as a civil society delegate at the United Nations in 2023. Olivia is a strong advocate in her community, educating healthcare professionals about inclusive communication for people with Down syndrome to improve their health outcomes.
Ronan Soussa is an Autistic advocate, performer and piano player. He is mostly known for his appearance on the second season of 'Love on the Spectrum' on ABC and Netflix. Ronan’s mission is to encourage people with disability to be their authentic selves.
Isabella Choate is a multi-award-winning Living Experience Advocate, passionate about community building and platforming the voices of young people with disability. Isabella founded WA’s first Disability Pride Festival after winning WA Young Person of the Year 2024, and at 25, became CEO of the Youth Disability Advocacy Network, finalist for Young Australian of the Year (WA) and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
For more information about the International Day of People with Disability program and how to get involved, visit www.idpwd.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for the NDIS:
“International Day of People with Disability is one day, but it is there to remind us all to accept and respect the 5.5 million Australians with disability every single day.
“Our 2025 ambassadors are champions of the rights and dignity of people with disability. They are people who all work to help create a society where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to thrive.
“Let us all make a conscious effort this year to challenge stereotypes and attitudes faced by people with disability.”