Thursday 18 April 2024 As of Monday 13 May 2024, PWDA Sydney will be located at Suite 10.01, Centennial Plaza Level 10, 300 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Office hours: 9am – 5pm | Monday – Friday The existing PWDA Sydney Head Office at Level 8 418A Elizabeth St Surry Hills NSW 2010 will be closed from 4pm on Friday 19 April. After 4pm on Friday 19 April, you will not be able to contact PWDA at Level 8 418A Elizabeth St Surry Hills NSW 2010. During this time if you need help or support with a disability-related issue you are experiencing, you can continue to contact PWDA by phone, emai ..read more

Wednesday 27 March 2024 Major reforms to the National Disability Insurance (NDIS) have been introduced to parliament today by Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten. People with Disability Australia (PWDA) have responded with a call for genuine co-design to refine the legislation to ensure the reforms reflect the needs of the people they’re designed for. PWDA will be analysing the proposed legislation in full and using the upcoming consultation process to represent the views of our members and the disability community. PWDA President Marayke Jonkers has emphasised people with disability have expre ..read more

Submission to the NSW Legislative Council, Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education, Inquiry into children and young people with disability in New South Wales educational settings 21 March 2024 People with Disability Australia has provided feedback on the NSW Legislative Council, Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education, Inquiry into children and young people with disability in New South Wales educational settings (the Inquiry). Inclusive education systems based upon the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), are the key mechanism to tackle the ongoing ma ..read more

Submission on the administration of the 2023 state election 22 March 2024 People with Disability Australia drafted this submission to help inform changes to the conduct of the 2027 NSW State Election, so that all people with disability can exercise their rights, unimpeded, to vote. The abolition of the iVote system in particular disadvantaged people with vision impairment. People with Disability Australia (PWDA) and our members were disappointed that the system was not re-commissioned in time for the 2023 election. PWDA does not consider it acceptable that our members participate in another e ..read more

On Friday 8 March, to mark International Women’s Day, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) created a space for women and gender diverse people with disability to connect and discuss leadership, overcoming barriers, accessibility and inclusion. Hosted by Dr Michelle Hyde, PWDA’s ‘Leading Change’ webinar featured inspiring insights from Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes, Akii Ngo, Ruth Bonser and Dr Haidi Badawi, in a jampacked agenda designed by and for women and gender diverse people with disability. The opening keynote address by Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes reflected on leadership, resilience, and ..read more

Wednesday 13 March 2024 People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is calling for people with disability to be recognised as equal partners in determining reforms flowing from the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review. The call comes in the wake of today’s release of the Federal Government’s Progress Update in response to the Disability Royal Commission’s final report. The Progress Update has outlined deeper consultation and consideration is needed before the Australian Government delivers their formal response to the Disability Royal Commission in mid-2024. PWDA is calling on governments t ..read more

Friday 8 March 2024 This blog article was written by Dr Haidi Badawi a Board Director of People with Disability Australia. Haidi has over 25 years of STEM experience, is a global leader in inclusive leadership and women’s empowerment. She is a Geneticist /Leadership expert. It’s International Women’s Day. I have spent today considering what I want people to know, hear and do – not just today but every day of the year. Here are 7 things I want women with disability to know: Your Voice Matters: Your unique experiences and perspectives are valuable and needed in leadership roles. Don’t let anyon ..read more

Friday 8 March 2024 Westpac has signed on as the pilot partner for People with Disability Australia’s (PWDA’s) Advancing Women Project which will assist in creating workplaces where employing, retaining and developing women* with disability is business as usual. Women with disability often face multiple barriers to career progression. PWDA’s Advancing Women Project was launched on International Women’s Day 2023 to break down barriers to participation in leadership and decision-making roles for women with disability.   People with Disability Australia (PWDA) President Marayke Jonkers belie ..read more

Thursday 7 March 2024 The PWDA community were out loud and proud at the 46th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 2 March 2024.   To the loud cheers of the spectators, our members proudly asserted our rights, as they danced, wheeled, and marched along Oxford Street.   PWDA President Marayke Jonkers said, “At this year’s Mardi Gras Parade our community was loudly calling for change now. We are not waiting for our rights. Our future starts now.” “PWDA and our members will continue advocating all year round for a future where people with disability’s sexual rights a ..read more

People with Disability with Australia (PWDA) through our Advancing Women Project are pleased to invite you to our International Women’s Day event, Leading Change – A Webinar for Women with Disability on Leadership. Keynote speakers and a panel of women with lived experience will share their expertise in ‘leading change’, breaking down barriers and exploring resilience, inclusion and success. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of an empowering event celebrating women and gender diverse people with disability. When: Friday 8 March, 10.30am – 12pm Where: Online Cost: Free REGISTE ..read more