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| People with Disability Australia | |
|---|---|
| Name | People with Disability Australia |
| Formation | 1981 |
| Type | Non-profit advocacy organisation |
| Headquarters | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Region served | Australia |
| Membership | National |
People with Disability Australia is a national Australian peak disability rights organisation that represents people with lived experience of disability. Founded in 1981, it engages in policy advocacy, legal advocacy, community organising and public campaigns to influence national frameworks such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme and federal legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. It works alongside a wide range of stakeholders including disability advocates, trade unions such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions, human rights bodies like the Australian Human Rights Commission, and civil society organisations such as Amnesty International and Australian Red Cross.
The organisation originated in the wake of grassroots movements that included consumer advocacy groups, disability peer networks and local associations in states such as New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Early interactions involved coalitions with entities like the Australian Council of Social Service, peak state disability councils and disability legal centres. During the 1980s and 1990s it engaged with national debates alongside figures and institutions referenced with campaigns paralleling activities by groups such as SANE Australia, Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability advocates, and policy developments stemming from international instruments including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Its history includes participation in inquiries by bodies like the Productivity Commission and contributions to reviews of programs such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The organisation’s mission emphasises human rights, inclusion and systemic reform. It advocates across legislation and administrative instruments including submissions to parliamentary bodies such as the Australian Senate and the House of Representatives (Australia), collaborations with statutory agencies like the Australian Human Rights Commission and engagement with international fora including the United Nations. Campaign priorities have intersected with issues raised by organisations and campaigns such as People with Disability Global, Women with Disabilities Australia, Indigenous Disability Network, and policy contexts involving the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and standards set by the National Disability Insurance Agency.
Governance follows a board and membership model common to Australian incorporated associations and not-for-profits, aligning with regulatory frameworks overseen by authorities such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Leadership roles include chairs, directors and an executive team that liaise with entities like the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on corporate compliance matters. The organisation partners with legal advocacy institutions including the Human Rights Law Centre and state-based legal centres while maintaining connections with sector peak bodies such as the National Ethnic Disability Alliance and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.
Programs span legal advocacy, information provision, peer support and capacity building. Services often complement efforts by organisations such as Scope (UK charity), Brain Injury Australia, Autism Spectrum Australia, Blind Citizens Australia and Deaf Australia. Initiatives include complaint support aligned with the Australian Human Rights Commission complaint pathways, training tied to standards referenced by the National Disability Insurance Agency, and community workshops similar to those run by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Centre for Disability Law.
Policy work addresses reform across welfare and service systems, intersecting with national debates on programs and institutions such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, taxation measures considered by the Treasury (Australia), and legislative reviews by parliamentary committees like the Senate Community Affairs References Committee. Campaigns have run alongside coalition partners including Australian Council of Social Service, Carers Australia, Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA and human rights advocates such as the Human Rights Law Centre and Equality Rights Alliance. Issues have included employment access comparable to initiatives by the Australian Public Service Commission and national inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
Membership comprises people with lived experience, family members and allied supporters across regions including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Engagement strategies include national conferences, community consultations similar to those organised by the National Disability Services and partnerships with grassroots groups such as local disability advocacy networks, Indigenous organisations like the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and culturally specific groups such as the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association.
Funding sources include philanthropic foundations, project grants from federal agencies administered through bodies such as the Department of Social Services (Australia), and collaborations with academic partners like University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Australian National University and research institutions such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The organisation forms partnerships with national and international NGOs including Amnesty International, development bodies like UNICEF and professional associations such as the Law Council of Australia to advance policy research, legal reform and community programs.
Category:Disability organisations based in Australia