World Diabetes Day falls on Saturday, 14 November 2026. It was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The theme for 2026 is ‘Early action on diabetes’. This year, we focus on early diagnosis and risk reduction. The WHO adds two more priorities alongside earlier diagnosis: access to comprehensive care and reducing the stigma around diabetes.
Early diagnosis happens in a clinic.
Early action happens everywhere else, in kitchens, in the community, and in care homes, every day.
Support Professionals are often the people who spend the most time with a person living with diabetes. They are there at mealtimes, during medication support, personal care, on outings and in the quiet moments when something might not look right.
A professional who understands diabetes can recognise early signs that someone is unwell, follow a management plan with confidence and know when to escalate when things get bad. They can also support a person to manage their own condition, so this ongoing care and support builds independence rather than replacing it.
Reducing the stigma around diabetes is also a huge part of a professional’s role. Stigma reduces when the people around someone talk about diabetes without blame or judgement.
Diabetes training resources:
At the NGO Training Centre, we offer a three-part diabetes series for disability support and a separate three-part series for aged care.
Every course is online, short and built for the realities of a working day.
For Disability Support Professionals (NDIS)
Individual Diabetes courses
Learn extensive knowledge about the different types of diabetes and how to manage the condition with lifestyle changes and medication. This is an excellent place to start your training on diabetes.
Builds on Part 1 with more on diabetes management, including common mistakes support workers make when supporting a person with diabetes and disability, and how to avoid them.
Builds further on Part 1 and Part 2 with various practical skills you can use to help participants manage their diabetes day to day. An ideal course to study to take your knowledge of diabetes to the next level.
Diabetes bundle (2.5 hours)
All three parts noted above are included together with a 20% saving on overall course costs, covering diabetes management plans, the 7 areas of support for people with disability and diabetes, and how compassion and care help participants live happier, healthier lives.
For Aged Care Professionals
Individual Diabetes courses
Types of diabetes, symptoms and risk factors, what hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis mean for older people, and how diabetes affects daily life.
Learn about common complications of diabetes in ageing individuals, and how to provide high-quality, person-centred support.
Supporting people to monitor their own blood glucose, including glucose meters and continuous glucose sensors, and prompting self-administration of oral and injectable diabetes medication.
This World Diabetes Day, give your team the knowledge to spot it early and reduce the stigma around diabetes.
Explore our diabetes courses for disability support and aged care, and talk to our team about training your whole workforce.
Your confidence, skills, knowledge and awareness could make a significant impact on the lives of people living with diabetes, not just today, but every day.
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Author: Amanda Robinson (She/Her) BA, MMHealthPrac.
Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country
Amanda, Head of Learning and Development and an experienced specialist in NDIS and Aged Care, promotes capability and sustainability within the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, a Master’s in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and an MBA underway, she offers extensive expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A military veteran and dedicated carer of a veteran, Amanda advocates for Human Rights, striving to reduce stigma and eliminate barriers for those with disability and mental health challenges. She is enthusiastic about fostering strong stakeholder relationships through her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analytical abilities.
