Get Skilled Access

16/04/2026

NSW venues planning a Venue Upgrade Grant application - worth thinking about this early.

Most of what makes a venue accessible is decided early - in planning, layouts, and how the space is designed to work.

The Venue Upgrade Grants 25/26 are now open, with funding covering assessments, planning and advice - not just the final build.

Accessibility isn’t something you bolt on at the end. It shapes how people move through a space, how they engage with it, and whether the experience actually works for them.

At GSA, we work with organisations to support delivery - from accessibility audits and planning advice through to embedding inclusive practices across venues and teams.

If you’re exploring the grant, we’ve pulled together how we support delivery: https://pages.qwilr.com/NSW-Venue-Upgrade-Grants-25-26-Advice-and-Planning-AGh3BNEQS9UY

[Image description: People sit and watch a live concert from an accessible viewing area, including several people using wheelchairs. The stage and large screens are visible ahead, with a crowd gathered in front. Overlaid text reads “NSW Venue Upgrade Grants now open” and highlights the importance of planning accessibility early in venue design and layout.]

11/03/2026

Large-scale events like the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix require enormous planning - from crowd movement and infrastructure to hospitality and safety.

A recent article by FM Media (Facility Management) highlighted how accessibility is being considered within the infrastructure overlay at the Australian Grand Prix, including upgrades such as new overpass lifts to support movement around the venue.

GSAhas been proud to work alongside the Australian Grand Prix Corporation over several years to help embed disability inclusion across both the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix events.

From infrastructure planning and accessibility services to sensory-friendly initiatives and accessible communications, the goal has always been the same: ensuring everyone can experience the event.

Read the article: https://www.fmmedia.com.au/sectors/meet-your-local-fm-tim-george-australian-grand-prix/

For those interested in how accessibility has evolved at the event over time, we’ve shared more about the journey here: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/case-studies/formula-1-australian-grand-prix/

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) is dedicated to making the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix accessible to everyone. This case study explores AGPC's partnership with Get Skilled Access (GSA) and the initiatives implemented to enhance accessibility and inclusion at the event.

24/02/2026

Get Skilled Access has strengthening our national access consulting capability with the appointment of Tanisha Simunic, Accredited Access Consultant.

Across Australia’s built environment, expectations around accessibility are rising. Yet many environments that technically meet compliance requirements still create real barriers for people with disability and others with access needs.

Tanisha brings more than nine years of experience across public realm, transport infrastructure and health projects, combining strong technical expertise with practical, solution-focused advice.

Her appointment further strengthens GSA’s ability to support organisations to move beyond minimum compliance and make access decisions that work in practice, grounded in lived experience of disability and universal design principles.

Read the full announcement here: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/gsa-access-consulting-capability/

[Image description: A professional headshot of Tanisha Simunic, Senior Access Consultant at Get Skilled Access. The GSA logo appears in the top right corner, and a yellow text panel displays her name and role.]

12/02/2026

Today at Parliament of NSW, the findings of the Real Access, Real Choice national trial were released.

Commissioned by Uber and delivered by Get Skilled Access, the 12-week trial explored what happens when state-based transport subsidies follow the person, not the provider.

148 participants with disability across multiple states were provided credits equivalent to their state taxi subsidy and given the option to use rideshare alongside traditional services.
The outcomes were clear:
• 96% felt safe
• 92% felt more independent
• 98% supported permanent inclusion of rideshare in subsidy schemes

Beyond the data were real, everyday impacts. Participants accepted work shifts they would have previously declined, attended medical appointments independently, and engaged in community and sporting activities without complex planning.

Transport is not simply about getting from one place to another. It directly shapes independence, employment, healthcare access and social participation.

We are grateful to have worked alongside advocacy organisations including Vision Australia, Disability Voices Tasmania Inc., Carers Australia and Children and Young People with Disability Australia to ensure lived experience informed this work.

Download the report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15PvcGpqAt64mq2l9kqw_UbMD6WMeor-x/view

Checkout Uber's article here: https://www.uber.com/en-AU/newsroom/disability-advocates-call-for-reform/

Leading disability advocacy organisations are calling for the urgent reform of state-based transport subsidy schemes.

10/02/2026

Accessible and inclusive tourism is about creating visitor experiences that work for more people - across events, marketing, digital platforms and customer service.

GSA partnered with Destination NSW to develop a six-part video series supporting tourism businesses to strengthen accessibility and inclusion across their operations.

The series covers:
• Accessible and inclusive events
• Adjustments and universal design
• Inclusive customer service
• Inclusive marketing and communications
• Creating accessible digital content
• Supporting travellers who are neurodivergent

Explore the full series here: https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/destination-nsw-business-support/nsw-first-program/accessibility-and-inclusion-in-tourism-training

[Image description: A ski instructor in a red uniform assists a participant using an adaptive sit-ski on a snowy mountain slope, with alpine landscape and tree-covered hills in the background.]

05/02/2026

Do you know what an audio described video is?

It’s narration that explains what’s happening visually - expressions, movement, on-screen text - so people who are blind or have low vision aren’t left guessing.

Most brands don’t think about it. We do!

As part of our Just Be campaign, we created an audio described version of our hero film. Accessible communication shouldn’t be a bonus feature. It should be built in.

▶ Checkout the audio described with transcript here: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1129483026?ts=1692

▶ Explore the full Just Be campaign: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/just-be/

Inclusion isn’t an add-on.
It’s design. It’s intention. It’s everyday decisions.
And when it’s done properly, it allows people to just be.

[Video description: Audio described version of the Just Be campaign by Get Skilled Access. Audio description provides spoken narration of important visual elements – including actions, expressions and on-screen text – so people who are blind or have low vision can fully experience the film. The campaign calls on Australia to create workplaces, services and communities where people with disability can just be.]

29/01/2026

Disability inclusion funding doesn’t fail at assessment. It succeeds or falls apart in delivery.

Get Skilled Access works as a delivery partner on government-funded disability inclusion initiatives, supporting organisations once funding is secured and delivery accountability begins.

Our role sits behind the outcomes funding is meant to achieve:
• Delivery structures that hold under real-world conditions
• Workforce capability that extends beyond a single program
• Lived-experience-led practice embedded into systems, not layered on
• Inclusion that is sustained after the funding period ends

This approach is informed by delivering large-scale, publicly funded programs such as Sport4All4All, where inclusion is embedded across systems, workforces and communities rather than treated as a one-off initiative.

More detail on our disability inclusion grant delivery partner role is available here: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/services/disability-inclusion-grant-delivery-partner/

[Image description: A group of people take part in an inclusive cricket activity on a grass field, with a participant using a wheelchair receiving a cricket ball to another participant. Get Skilled Access branding and text appear above and below the image.]

22/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we’d like to wish you a safe and restful holiday period, and thank you for being part of the work we’ve shared throughout the year at GSA.

Across workplaces, events, tourism, sport and public spaces, we’ve seen more organisations taking thoughtful steps toward accessibility and inclusion.

Holiday closure: GSA will be closed from 24 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. We’ll respond to enquiries as soon as possible when we return in the new year.

Before signing off, we invite you to explore our IDPwD 2025 wrap-up, which highlights how our partners marked International Day of People with Disability and how inclusion continues to show up in practice across different sectors: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/disability-inclusion-australia-idpwd-2025/

Thank you again for your trust and collaboration. We look forward to continuing the work together in 2026.

[Image description: Two people sit together near the shoreline at sunset, looking out across the water. One person is seated in a wheelchair, and the other sits beside them wearing a light-coloured hat. Both are pointing toward the ocean. A purple text panel in the lower right of the image reads, “Happy holidays! Closed: 24 December – 4 January.”]

17/12/2025

Every story shared this International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) reminded us why accessibility matters every day.

In the lead-up to IDPwD 2025, we worked alongside partners across tourism, major events, community sport, and workplaces to support practical, lived-experience-led disability inclusion - from Disability Inclusion Action Plans and accessible event delivery to community education and capability building.

This wrap-up brings those stories together and reflects what inclusion looks like when it’s embedded into everyday practice. Checkout the full IDPwD 2025 wrap-up here: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/disability-inclusion-australia-idpwd-2025/



ID in comments.

12/12/2025

Inclusion should never feel extraordinary. It should just be.

Celine Ramos is studying to become a vet nurse and pursuing her dream of acting - something she once thought was out of reach.

Living with Sturge-Weber syndrome, Celine grew up being told she looked “different.” That changed when she saw the Shift 20 Initiative casting call, an initiative that celebrates authentic representation and challenges who gets to be seen.

“I want to do it for myself, but also for other little kids that have birthmarks as well, because when I was younger, I didn’t have anyone like that.”

Checkout Celine’s story and see how representation builds confidence, not limits: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/just-be/stories/celine-ramos/

Explore the Just Be campaign and other stories here: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/just-be/



Video description availbe here: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/just-be/stories/celine-ramos/

08/12/2025

When people share knowledge and experience, inclusion becomes part of how communities grow.

Through the Welcome Round sessions, GSA and the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation supported 487 participants across 6 council areas to learn about access, language, and inclusion.

Delivered by GSA consultants and Sport4All team, the sessions created space for open discussion and practical learning around disability and community participation.

Together, we’re building more inclusive, connected, and confident communities across Melbourne’s west.

👉 Read the full case study: getskilledaccess.com.au/case-studies/welcome-round-inclusive-communities-disability-awareness/
👉 Learn more about WBCF programs: westernbulldogscommunityfoundation.org.au/

02/12/2025

This International Day of People with Disability, we’re reflecting on the 2025 theme - “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

We know inclusion starts with how we communicate. It’s the words we choose, the stories we tell, and the way we design them for everyone to access.

Because accessibility isn’t a box to tick - it’s what lets people, teams, and communities just be.

🎥 Learn more: https://getskilledaccess.com.au/just-be