Leadership Organisations
No matter who you are or what you do, there is likely to be an organisation that represents you.
We have listed some of the National disability and women’s organisations below, but there are many more groups that you can get involved in.
*Please note – most of the organisations listed on this page do not provide individual advocacy.
To find a disability advocate visit the Disability Advocacy Finder website (external link).
Watch the YouTube video (external website) about why Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) are important:
Organisations and groups
Joining a disability organisation or advocacy group is a good way to make friends, build support networks and gain access to opportunities in the community. There are lots of disability organisations in Australia that represent different types of disability and groups of people.
Ways to get involved
There are lots of ways you can get involved in an organisation. To begin with, you can:
- become a member of the organisation
- join or follow the organisation's social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc)
- sign up to the organisation's newsletter
- go to events run by the organisation.
Disabled People’s Organisations
Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) are organisations led by, controlled by and made up of people with disability. DPOs are organisations of people with disability, rather than organisations that may represent people with disability. DPOs work to promote the rights and well being of people with disability and support people with all types of disability to have their voices heard in politics and the community.
Learn more on the DPO Australia website (external link).
Did you know?
“Nothing about us without us” is a quote used by the disability movement to argue that people with disability should be involved in all decisions that affect them.
Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is the national peak body organisation for all women and girls with disability. WWDA represents and advocates for more than 2 million women and girls with disability across Australia.
WWDA provides support and information about leadership and opportunities that are accessible for women and girls with all types of disability.
You can become a member of WWDA for free and register to receive updates about WWDA's work and opportunities that you can be involved in.
Learn more on the WWDA website (external link).
First People’s Disability Network
The First People's Disability Network (FPDN) is the national organisation run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability in Australia.
Learn more on the FPDN website (external link).
National Ethnic Disability Alliance
The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is the national organisation that advocates for the rights of people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB).
Learn more on the NEDA website (external link).
People with Disabilities Australia
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is the national disability rights, advocacy and representative organisation made up of, led and governed by people with disability.
Learn more on the PWDA website (external link).
National Women’s Alliances
The National Women’s Alliances (NWA) are a group of national women’s organisations that make the views, voices and issues of Australian women heard by the government and the community. There are currently six National Women’s Alliances in Australia, which Women With Disabilities Australia is one of. The others are listed below.
Equality Rights Alliance
The Equality Rights Alliance (ERA) is Australia’s largest network advocating for women’s equality, women’s leadership and recognition of women’s diversity.
Learn more on the ERA website (external link).
Harmony Alliance
The Harmony Alliance advocates and provides a voice for migrant and refugee women in Australia.
Learn more on the Harmony Alliance website (external link).
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA) is the national organisation that advocates and provides a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia.
Learn more on the NATSIWA website (external link).
National Rural Women's Coalition
The National Rural Women's Coalition (NRWC) is the national organisation that advocates and provides a voice for women living in rural, remote and regional areas in Australia.
Learn more on the NRWC website (external link).
National Women's Safety Alliance
The National Women's Safety Alliance (NWSA) is the national organisation funded to advise on national policy concerning women's safety and to advocate for the safety of all women.
Learn more on the NWSA website (external link).
Did you know?
“The Personal is Political” is the slogan used in the women’s movement that makes a connection between what happens in politics and the experiences of individuals.
Other national organisations
Australian Centre for Disability Law
The Australian Centre for Disability Law (ACDL) is a community legal centre that aims to promote and protect the human and legal rights of people with disability.
Learn more on the ACDL website (external link).
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) is a peak body for individuals, as well as national and state disability organisations across Australia. You can find a list of their affiliates on their website.
Learn more on the AFDO website (external link).
Australian Network on Disability
Australian Network on Disability is a national, membership based organisation that supports organisations to advance the inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of business.
Learn more on the Australian Network on Disability website (external link).
Children and Young People with Disability
Children and Young People with Disability (CYDA) is the national organisation that represents and advocates for people with disability aged aged 0-25.
Learn more on the CYDA website (external link).
Disability Leadership Institute
Disability Leadership Institute (DLI) is a professional hub for disability leaders. Members of DLI receive coaching, training and connection to opportunities, including communities of practice and leadership development.
Learn more on the DLI website (external link).
Inclusion Australia
Inclusion Australia is the national organisation that represents people with intellectual disability. It supports state organisations as well as individuals to advocate for people with disability across Australia.
Learn more on the Inclusion Australia website (external link).
State disability organisations
Every state and territory in Australia has organisations that advocate for the rights and well being of women and girls with disability. We have listed some of the ones that helped to build this website below, but there are many more.
Women with Disabilities ACT (WDDACT) (external link)
Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) (external link)
Women with Disabilities WA (WWDWA) (external link)
Speak Out Association of Tasmania (external link)
Women with Intellectual Disabilities (QLD) (external link)
Women with Disabilities SA (external link)
People with Disabilities WA (PWDWA) (external link)
Starting your own disability group
If you can’t find a group that represents you, you can always start your own. Starting your own group can be a good way to meet people who have similar experiences, and can help you to build a network of support.
Tips for starting your own group
There is no one way to start a new group. Some groups are formal, with rules and procedures; while others are more like casual friendship groups.
All groups are different, but the tips below can help you get started:
- start simple - get together a small group of people with the same disability or interests as you
- organise a meeting somewhere casual and cheap, like a park or a coffee shop
- discuss the rules and goals of the group at the first meeting and write them down
- decide where you will meet and when
- have a way for people to call into the meeting from home (e.g. by phone or video conference)
- create a social media group on Facebook (external link) or Google Groups (external link) that you can use to communicate outside of meetings
- start reaching out to others who may like to join - you can do this by contacting disability organisations, going to events, or even sharing the group with friends on social media
- learn more tips on how to get a more formal group started on this Wiki How website (external link).
Tip: Our page for Information for Supporters and Services has tips for how to make sure any events or meetings your group organises are accessible.