About us

We empower, champion and celebrate people with disability.

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is a national peak disability rights and advocacy organisation made up of and led by people with disability.

Founded in 1981, PWDA represents the interests of people with all kinds of disability. We’re a not-for-profit community-based organisation and our members comprise a diverse range of individuals and organisations from across Australia.

Our vision is for a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which the human rights, belonging, contribution, potential and diversity of all people with disability are recognised, respected and celebrated with pride.

We work both nationally and internationally, and our work is grounded in a human rights framework that recognises the United Nations human rights conventions and related mechanisms as fundamental tools for advancing the rights of people with disability.

We deliver our programs, services and activities in partnership with our members and supporters as well as a variety of stakeholders across the government, disability, education and research sectors. We receive funding from a range of sources including the Australian Government, the New South Wales and Queensland Governments, and donations from our supporters.

What we do

• We provide advice and support to help people with disability solve problems and resolve issues.
• We take action to advance the rights and interests of people with disability in relation to the development and implementation of legislation, regulations and policy by government and industry.
• We provide services – such as training and research – to gather evidence and educate people and organisations about disability related issues.
• We provide opportunities for our members and supporters to connect with each other and influence our work.

Nothing about us without us

PWDA provides people with disability with a voice of our own. We have a cross-disability focus representing the interests of people with all kinds of disability.

Our members are people with disability, and organisations made up of people with disability. They are actively involved in PWDA, electing a board of people with disability every year. Many of our staff members are also people with disability.

PWDA also represents people with disability at the United Nations, particularly in relation to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and are a designated Disabled Persons Organisation.

And we’re a founding member of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia, with First Peoples Disability Network, National Ethnic Disability Alliance and Women with Disabilities Australia.

Our vision is for a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which the human rights, belonging, contribution, potential and diversity of all people with disability are recognised, respected and celebrated with pride.

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