About daw

Disability Awareness Week was initiated by the RDLO program in collaboration with Darwin City Councils’ Disability Advisory Committee in 2004. 

The objectives of Disability Awareness Week include:

• celebrating the achievements and ability of people with a disability.
• raising community awareness about barriers to equal access.
• promoting exceptional practice.
• providing people with a disability a stronger voice.
• increasing access to services, facilities and other opportunities. 
• promoting and creating opportunities for all forms of social inclusion.

Through its focus on local action, the week has become a catalyst for lasting positive change and an opportunity to acknowledge and take pride in the contributions that Territorians with a disability make to the community.

The week is organised by the Disability Awareness Week Coordinating Committee. 

This Committee is composed of community members, officers from Darwin City Council and representatives from a broad cross section of disability organisations.  Darwin City Council sponsors Disability Awareness Week annually and provides a coordinating role for the Committee and the week’s activities. 

The ongoing participation and involvement from community organisations ensures a vibrant and varied program of events each year. 

The dates for Disability Awareness Week are determined by the Committee and change every year, though are generally held within the month of September.