Disability networks
Connect with a Disability Employee Network. Join DENconnect meetings and learn how to create inclusive, accessible workplaces across the NSW public sector.
Disability Employee Networks (DENs) are open to all public sector staff who have a disability or who want to be a champion for disability awareness and inclusion.
DENs are safe spaces where staff can:
- connect with others
- share lived experience
- help raise awareness
- drive inclusive change.
What is DENconnect?
DENconnect is a monthly online meeting open to all NSW public sector staff. It’s a place to:
- share updates on disability inclusion and employment
- stay informed about DEN activities across government
- connect with others and build a culture of inclusion.
Online meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. Auslan interpreters are available. For more information, contact denconnect@customerservice.nsw.gov.au
Why join DENconnect?
DENconnect brings together staff with disability, their colleagues and allies. The forum is open, safe and respectful. Everyone is welcome to share stories, ask questions and learn from each other. Together, we build more inclusive teams that better reflect the communities we serve.
Contact a Disability Employee Network
To find a DEN in your agency or cluster, contact the people listed below.
| Department or Agency | Contact person(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| DENconnect | Dwayne Fernandes Susana Gomez | denconnect@customerservice.nsw.gov.au |
| Communities and Justice | Rita Cottrell Emily-May Yeo | DENInquiries@facs.nsw.gov.au |
Customer Service DCS Disability ERG | Melanie Jones Lucas MacInnes | disabilityerg@customerservice.nsw.gov.au |
Transport Enabled Network | Lesley Frendo Alex Wiggers de Vries-Parr Jen Spears Jennifer Pizzi | enablednetwork@transport.nsw.gov.au |
| Education | Rizwana Khan Josh Cauchi | den@det.nsw.edu.au |
TAFE NSW TAFE-Ability | Jodie Hoger Carter O'Leary | enquiries.tafeability@tafensw.edu.au |
| Enterprise, Investment and Trade | Belonging and Inclusion team | belongingandinclusion@enterprise.nsw.gov.au |
| Health NSW | Kate Scalia Beatrix White | MOH-DiversityInclusionBelonging@health.nsw.gov.au |
| Legal Aid NSW | Jacob Orrock-Steuart Lauren Watts | disabilitynetwork@legalaid.nsw.gov.au |
| Department of Planning, housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) | Tim Grigg | den@dphi.nsw.gov.au |
| Fire & Rescue NSW FRNSW DEN | Leyla Craig Tanya Rubin | |
| Premiers Department and The Cabinet Office | Elizabeth Zammit Ellen Higginbottom | accessibilityhealthandwellbeing@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au |
| DPIRD | Naomi Rogers Veronica Filby | |
| State Library | Olwen Pryke |
If your agency is not listed, contact your HR team. To update your DEN listing, please contact denconnect@customerservice.nsw.gov.au
How to engage with a Disability Employee Network
If you want to consult a Disability Employee Network (DEN), it’s important to involve people in a respectful and meaningful way. Seek feedback from people with different backgrounds, knowledge and abilities.
What to keep in mind
- Every DEN is different. Contact the chair or coordinator first to learn more.
- Be flexible. Give people enough time and offer different ways to participate. Make adjustments along the way.
- Make it accessible. Use the accessibility checker and write in plain English. For more tips, refer to the accessibility and inclusivity toolkit.
Good engagement means
- being clear about your goals, timelines and decision-making
- recognising and respecting people’s past experiences with disability support -- this may include gaps in support or negative experiences
- centring lived experience
- valuing all contributions – everyone has something to offer
- creating inclusive and safe spaces
- testing your ideas with diverse users.