People with Disability Australia Incorporated

Photo of a UN Convention meeting with some attendees with physical disability

Issues & CampaignsDate here

Supporting PWD

There are many ways to support us:

Donating Volunteering and student placement Becoming a financial member

PWD has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Who we are

People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWD) is a national peak disability rights and advocacy organisation. Our primary membership is made up of people with disability and organisations primarily constituted by people with disability. PWD also has a large associate membership of other individuals and organisations committed to the disability rights movement. Founded in 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons, People with Disability Australia seeks to provide 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. PWD is a non-profit, non-government organisation.

Our Vision

We have a vision of a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which the human rights, citizenship, contribution, potential and diversity of all people with disability are respected and celebrated.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to be a leading disability rights, advocacy and representative organisation of and for all people with disability, which strives for the realisation of our vision of a socially just, accessible and inclusive community.

Our Work

We provide or undertake:

Rights-related information, advice and referral services for people with disability and their associates
Short-term individual and group advocacy assistance to people with disability and their associates
Advocacy for reform around systemic issues that adversely affect people with disability and their associates
Representation of the sector of interest constituted by people with disability and their associates to government, industry and the non-government sector
Coordination of the sector of interest constituted by people with disability and their associates
Disability rights-related research and development around issues of concern to people with disability and their associates
Disability rights-related training & education for people with disability and their associates, service providers, government and the public.

This work is supported in part by grants of financial assistance from both the State and Commonwealth Governments. This assistance is acknowledged with appreciation.

Our Core Values

We believe that people with disability, irrespective of the nature, origin and degree of our disability:

Are entitled to a decent standard of living, an adequate income and to lead active and satisfying lives
Are people first, with human, legal, social and consumer rights that must be recognised and respected
Are entitled to the full enjoyment of our citizenship rights and responsibilities
Are entitled to live free from prejudice, discrimination and vilification
Are entitled to social support and adjustments as a right and not as the result of pity, charity or the exercise of social control
Contribute substantially to the intellectual, cultural, economic and social diversity and wellbeing of our community
Possess many skills and abilities, and have enormous potential for life-long growth and development
Are entitled to live in, and be a part of, the diversity of the community
Have the right to define the policies and programs that affect our lives
Ought to be empowered to exercise our rights and responsibilities, without fear of retribution.

Our Principles

In realising our vision, mission and core values, we are guided by the following principles:

We are passionate, innovative and fearless in the promotion and defence of the rights and interests of people with disability
We are accessible and responsive to our community, and inclusive of its diversity
We encourage, empower and support the civic participation of people with disability
We are collaborative and supportive in our relationships within the disability rights movement as a whole
We are accountable for our activities to our members, to people with disability generally and to the public
We always act with honesty and integrity
We are resourceful and efficient in the marshaling and management of the resources needed to undertake our work.