Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Our vision is that all people with disabilities must be involved equally in all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life.

Using the strength of our membership-based organisations to harness the collective power of uniting people with disability to change society into a community where everyone is equal.

To achieve our mission and vision, AFDO provides policy advice and representation to government and organisations on matters that impact on the lives of people with disability. AFDO also works to inform and educate the general community about disability, and we work to develop a community where people with disability can participate in all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life. This includes genuine participation in mainstream community life, the development of respectful and valued relationships, social and economic participation, and the opportunity to contribute as valued citizens.

AFDO is made up of member organisations who work together to contribute to the national policy agenda and address issues that impact the lives of people with disability in Australia. We understand that disability specific organisations play a key role in the provision of information and peer support to people with disability and their families. This role keeps them closely connected to their grass roots communities. Each community has its peak organisation that uses its voice to advocate on issues.

AFDO is the forum where these views are collected and coordinated to ensure Government is across issues impacting all people with disability in Australia.

DSS – NDIS Jobs and Market Fund (2019-21)
Activity Details: The project proposed to develop and implement a national strategy to build the capacity of people with disability (PwD), their families, PwD and family led organisations to effectively make the most from approved NDIS Plans and help with service improvements. The Jobs and Market Fund (JMF) outcomes addressed by the project include (i) increased capacity and capability of NDIS providers and (ii) increased capacity of NDIS participants to influence the market.

NDIA – NDIS ILC Readiness (2017-2018)
Activity Details: To collaboratively partner with a broad range of people with disability and family organisations, and their state and territory based members and networks, to build the capacity and improve organisational readiness for the introduction of ILC, by addressing the diverse and specific needs of small organisations made up of people with disability and families as they re-orient to the new ILC environment.

NDIA – Community Inclusion Capacity Development (CICD) Program (2017-18)
Activity Details: Develop resources for a number of practical disability readiness training modules with a focus on practical inclusion strategies that can be readily implemented after attending a workshop, designed to increase the confidence of mainstream services and community organisations across Australian communities to welcome and include people with disability in a variety of mainstream settings.

NDIA – Community Inclusion Capacity Development (CICD) Program (2017-18)
Activity Details: To increase the social and economic participation for people with disability by designing an online gateway for the community to access high quality, up to date, disability specific information informed by lived experience of disability.

DSS – Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) (2018-2020)
Activity Details: To support national DROs for people with disability, to ensure that disability issues and a diversity of voices are represented in Australian Government decision-making and policy outcomes. For domestic representation of Australians with disability, consistent with Australia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). To support people with disability and/or lived experience of disability, who are the focus of the systemic advocacy services funded under the DRO Grant Opportunity.

DSS – Disability and Carer Support Programme (2016-17)
Activity Details: The Disability and Carer Support Activity (DaCS) aims to improve access, support and services for people with disability and carers. The DaCS Activity includes providing appropriate means of self-reliance, communication, education and advocacy.

Ross Joyce – Chief Executive Officer

Helen Cameron – Personal & Executive Assistant

Patrick McGee – National Manager – Systemic Advocacy, Insight & Research

Tracylee Arestides – Interim National Manager – Policy, Sustainability, Initiatives & Projects

Jim Valavanis – Manager – Business Development & Sustainability

Duncan Steward – Coordinator – Business Sustainability

Rebecca (Bec) Rudd – Coordinator – Policy & Submissions

Steve Schreck – Coordinator – JMFR1 Projects & BIDS

Ainslie Whitburn – Coordinator – ILC ICB Projects & BIDS

Kirra Jackson – Coordinator – Volunteers, Students & Interns

Aaron Holt – Communications Officer

Nick Wilson – Project Support Officer

Natalie Wade – AFDO Expert Advisor – Disability Royal Commission

Jody Barney – AFDO Cultural Consultant

Natasha Thomson – AFDO Social Security Consultant – Techincal Experts Social Security (TESS) Working Group

Geoff Trappett – AFDO Transport Consultant – National Inclusive Transport Advocacy Network (NITAN) Chairperson

Eva Sifis – AFDO Expert Consultant to Inclusion in the Arts

Amanda Lawrie-Jones – AFDO Cousultant – Access & Inclusion Consultant

Liz Reid AM – President (Chair)

Trevor Carroll – Vice President and International Coordinator

Janine Neu – Vice President

Christine Hunter – Treasurer

Debbie Kennevell – Director

Richard Dent – Director

Belinda O’Connor – Director

Mary Henley Collopy – Director

John Simpson AM – Director

Grant Lindsay – Director

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