Small Business Online Roundtable – Review of the Disability Discrimination Act

Join us for an online roundtable discussion with small business owners, operators, and representative organisations to provide feedback on the review of the Disability Discrimination Act (the Act). 

This event will focus on how the Act affects small businesses and their ability to employ, serve, and support people with disability. 

What is this online roundtable about? 

The Australian Government is reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act (the Act). 

Public consultation is now open. This is your chance to share your experiences, insights, and suggestions to help ensure the Act continues to uphold the rights of people with disability — and to consider how any proposed changes might work in practice for small businesses. 

The review responds to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. 

Some topics we will be discussing include:

• Stronger obligations for businesses to make reasonable adjustments so people with disability can work in or access your business.

• A positive duty for businesses to take proactive steps to prevent disability discrimination.

• Possible changes to how “unjustifiable hardship” is defined and what this means for small businesses.

• Updates to how employers assess whether a person can meet the inherent requirements of a job, including with adjustments.

For more information on the changes being considered in the review, you can read: 

• Issues Paper 

• Issues Paper Summary (Easy Read and Auslan translations also available) 

• Overview 

Who is the event for? 

This roundtable is for: 

• Small business owners and operators 

• Small business representative organisations 

• Industry associations and chambers of commerce 

• Business advisors and support providers 

• Disability employment and inclusion advocates within business networks 

• Organisations working with small businesses to improve accessibility 

How will the online roundtable be run? 

• Format: Online via Zoom 

• Duration: 2 hours 

• Structure: You’ll hear a short overview of the review and proposed changes, followed by breakout group discussions. 

• Focus: Exploring how the proposed changes to the Act (outlined in the Issues Paper) might affect small business employment practices, customer service, and accessibility. 

Accessibility 

We want this session to be inclusive and accessible for all participants. You’ll be asked to provide any accessibility requirements when you register. 

If there’s any way we can support your attendance, please email engage@thesocialdeck.com or call 0458 228 142 (business hours, AEST). 

Support to register or attend 

The Social Deck is coordinating the events on behalf of the Attorney-General's Department. 

If you need help to register, please contact us at engage@thesocialdeck.com or 0458 228 142 (business hours, AEST). 

Privacy 

Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). 

During registration, The Social Deck and/or the Attorney-General’s Department may collect your name, contact details, organisation name (if applicable), and optional demographic or accessibility information. 

This information is used to send event updates, make sure the session is inclusive and accessible, and understand who we are hearing from. Non-identifying information may be included in a report to the Australian Government. Zoom will collect the name and email you enter when joining. 

Zoom sessions are not recorded unless clearly stated in advance and with your permission. 

The Social Deck’s privacy policy is available on their website. 
The Attorney-General’s Department’s Collection Notice is available [here].