The Power - and Responsibility - of Lived Experience in Disability, Access & Inclusion Planning

One of the most valuable contributions to any Disability, Access and Inclusion Plan comes from people with lived experience. When engagement is done well, these voices don’t just inform a document, they reshape how organisations understand barriers, design solutions, and measure progress. 

But the impact goes deeper than good policy. 

When people with disability are invited into a process that is accessible, respectful and genuinely curious, something powerful happens. 

They see their insights taken seriously.  

They recognise their influence in the commitments made. 

They feel valued for expertise that’s too often overlooked. 

That sense of agency matters. It strengthens trust, builds confidence, and creates plans grounded in the realities of everyday life – navigating public spaces, accessing services, workplaces, transport, technology, and community participation. 

Yet there is a flip side that must be acknowledged. 

Poorly designed engagement can cause real harm. 

If people offer their time, energy and deeply personal experiences only to feel unheard, or to see no reflection of their input in the final plan, the message is loud and clear: our voices were not valued. 

Tokenistic consultation – a workshop for the sake of saying one was held, or a survey that never shapes decisions – erodes trust and reinforces the very exclusion these plans are meant to address. 

For organisations and government agencies, the obligation is twofold: 

1. Create engagement processes that are accessible, safe and inclusive 
This means removing practical barriers, supporting different communication needs, designing spaces where people feel comfortable, and ensuring a range of community groups can participate meaningfully. 

2. Demonstrate how lived experience has shaped the outcome 
Be clear on the scope of the engagement and what can (or can’t) be influenced. People should be able to see themselves in the priorities, principles and actions that follow. If something can’t be included, it is important to provide transparency as to ‘why’. 

Authentic engagement takes time and intention, but the return is transformative. Plans become stronger, communities feel more connected, and people with disability see that their lived experience is not only heard but genuinely valued. It lays a strong foundation for organisations to collaborate with communities during the plan's implementation. 

If we ask people to trust us with their stories, we must honour that trust with outcomes that respect and reflect what they shared. 

That’s the real work of inclusion.