The NDIA gave an update on their strategy to support the LGBTIQA+ community.

The letters LGBTIQA stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning and asexual.

The ‘+’ is for people who are part of the LGBTIQA+ community but don’t talk about themselves using a word from this list.

The NDIA also gave an update on their strategy to support multicultural communities.

Multicultural people:

• come from different backgrounds
• speak languages other than English.

The NDIA gave an update on the work they’ve done for both of these strategies.

The NDIA said they’re creating a plan about how different parts of a person can affect their experiences.

For example, a person’s background or abilities.

This plan will help NDIS participants to get the support they need.

The NDIA will use advice from the IAC to make this plan.

The NDIA also shared they’re creating a new strategy to support gender equality.

Your gender is what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.

You might think of yourself as a man or a woman or something different.

You can choose the words that are right for you.

Gender equality is when all genders are treated:

• fairly
• equally
• with respect.

The gender equality strategy will focus on 4 areas:

1. Support everyone to take part in the community.

2. Support First Nations women and girls.

3. Support people at every stage of their life.

4. Stop violence against people because of their gender.

Violence is when someone:

• hurts you
• scares you
• controls you.