Organization
People with Disability Australia(PWDA)
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is Australia's national cross-disability rights and advocacy organisation, founded in 1981 and run by and for people with disability. It operates as a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) with an elected board of people with disability, representing the interests of Australians with all types of disability.
About
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is Australia's foremost national peak disability rights and advocacy organisation. Founded in 1981 during the International Year of Disabled Persons, PWDA was established to give people with disability a voice of their own. It operates as a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO), meaning it is governed by and led by people with disability. Its elected board and national membership are made up of people with disability, with associate membership open to allied organisations and individuals.
What They Do
PWDA undertakes systemic advocacy, policy submissions, and human rights work across all levels of government. It actively engages with parliamentary inquiries, UN human rights mechanisms, and major reform processes such as the NDIS. PWDA provides information, referrals, and systemic advocacy services to members and the broader disability community. It also conducts community legal education and works with coalitions including the Australian Cross Disability Alliance (ACDA).
Who They Serve
PWDA represents and advocates for people with all types of disability — physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric, and acquired. It serves individuals, families, and carers, and welcomes allied members who support the disability rights movement. Its national reach covers all Australian states and territories, with its Sydney headquarters at Surry Hills serving as the operational base.
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