MISSIONS Australia’s Community Access and Inclusion Survey is now open to hear from Riverlanders about their experiences around disability.
The survey, open until 28 March, is for people living with a disability and those who work, live with, or know someone with a disability.
The results are used to inform work done by Mission Australia across the country to improve community connections and accessibility for people with a disability.
Mission Australia state director SA Mychelle Curran said the annual survey gives us vital insights into the lives of those who were often underrepresented in the community.
“Last year we had more than 1200 respondents, making the survey one of the largest of its kind in Australia,” she said.
“Past survey responses showed that people with a disability and their carers wanted community clubs and groups to be more accessible. 
“Using this data, Mission Australia’s Limestone Coast team created the Accessible and Inclusive Community Clubs and Groups project with the aim of improving access to community clubs and groups in the region. 
“The project will work to define accessibility criteria, train people with disabilities to audit local groups, develop an accessibility toolkit and logo, and then accredit inclusive clubs to promote their participation in the project.” 
A key trend from the 2024 survey was that employment access continues to be a barrier faced by those living with disability. 
South Australian respondents with a disability rated their access to employment opportunities as poor, while parents of children with developmental concern or delay were more pessimistic than other respondents about the employment opportunities available to their children. 
“Even in 2025, we still have a long way to go in making society more inclusive for people with disabilities,” Ms Curran said.
“For example, we are still hearing that people are being denied ride-sharing services because of a service animal, while others have been unable to access shops due to stairs.
“You may not realise it, but there are small differences we can make in our communities that can help make people feel more welcome.”
Results of the survey are shared with all levels of governments, community organisations and local groups.
The survey will be conducted online, but to ensure accessibility, Braille, Auslan and Easy Read versions are also available. 
The survey has also been translated into a number of languages, including Italian, Nepali, Punjabi and Chinese. 
To take the survey, visit the website (qr1.be/K5KF).