New Disability Accessibility Plan launched for Peter Mac
04 December 2025
Peter Mac has celebrated International Day of People with Disability with the launch of our new Disability Accessibility Plan 2025 -2030.
The plan has been developed through the input of more than 100 patients, consumers, family members, subject matter experts and staff with the aim of embedding accessibility and inclusion in everything Peter Mac does.
An example of those consumers involved in bringing the plan to life is Jasmine, who shared the unique perspective that comes from her career in the disability sector, being a patient at Peter Mac and caring for her dad who lives with Multiple Myeloma.
“Experiencing both sides, as a patient and now as a carer, has shown me another level of how vital accessible and inclusive healthcare is for people with disability and their families,” Jasmine said.
“Navigating healthcare has often meant facing challenges that many people never have to think about, whether it’s physical access, communication barriers, or simply feeling understood.
“I have seen how small adjustments, like clearer communication or flexible appointment options, can make a big difference. These changes don’t just improve systems; they improve lives,” she said.
The Disability Accessibility Action Plan has four outcomes areas guided by the Victorian Disability Act - Access, Inclusion, Employment and Culture.
“The ‘access’ outcome area looks at what we can do to ensure that people are able to use services and facilities here at Peter Mac and these actions focus largely on our physical and sensory environment,” Peter Mac’s Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Antonia Smyth, said.
“The ‘inclusion’ outcome area focuses on ensuring that people with disabilities are equal participants in the community, while the ‘culture’ outcome area looks at what we can do to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and skills they need to make this happen.
“And the ‘employment’ outcome area covers steps we can take as an organisation to attract and retain staff with disabilities and carers, and value the experience they bring to our workplace,” she said.
Peter Mac’s Chief Executive, Professor Jason Payne, said the plan sets out clear, practical actions
“We want Peter Mac to be a welcoming and easy-to-use place for people with disabilities. Everyone should be able to get the care they need, work here if they want, join in with the community, and be treated with respect and fairness,” Jason said.
“Everyone with disability that enters Peter Mac or interacts with us deserves the best possible experience – patients, carers, staff, students and volunteers.
“We’re deeply grateful to all who contributed their time, insights, and lived experience to developing this Plan,” he said.
Peter Mac’s Disability Accessibility Plan 2025 – 2030 is available now, including a screen-reader friendly, Easy Read summary.