News
Eleven nationally and internationally recognised disability advocates have been selected to serve on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s Advisory Council.
The Advisory Council is an independent advisory body that provides advice to the NDIS Commissioner and Associate Commissioner on issues affecting people with disability, NDIS participants and the Scheme, making sure its decisions reflect lived experience.
The Advisory Council comprised of disability advocates and reformers will assist in ensuring that people with disability have a direct line of input into the regulation of the NDIS.
Incoming members include internationally recognised disability and human rights leader Kelly Cox, Award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist Carly Findlay OAM, and human rights consultant Carolyn Frohmader AO.
The recently awarded Officer of the Order of Australia, appointed for distinguished service to people with disability, particularly women and girls, says the role of the Council is essential in ensuring those voices are heard.
I feel honoured to be appointed to the Advisory Council… Too many people with disability continue to live and work in segregated settings where their voices are excluded and their rights overlooked
Carolyn Frohmader
“In the context of the Disability Royal Commission findings and Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the NDIS Commission has a vital role not only in improving service quality, but also in safeguarding people with disability from all forms of violence, abuse and neglect.”
Other newly selected Advisory Council members include policy leaders Samtha Jenkinson, Tamika Marshell, Ciara Galega and Chris Coombes, along with reform advocates Aaron Cotton, Sharon Grocott, Melinda Brown and Alan Blackwood.
Mr Blackwood, who brings over 30 years’ experience across disability advocacy, policy and service provision, says being chosen for a role on the Council is a privilege.
I look forward to discussing practical solutions in the complex environment we live and work in to ensure we deliver real improvements in the lives of people with disability and their families.
Alan Blackwood
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, Louise Glanville, claims the Council strengthens how the regulator engages with the disability community and embeds lived experience into its decisions.
“Members bring deep expertise across disability rights, advocacy, service delivery, policy and governance, and will play a vital role in shaping our regulatory priorities and safeguarding outcomes for people with disability across Australia.”
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission highly values the voices, leadership, and perspectives of people with disability, according to a statement on their website.
The Council comprises of members who are people with disability or have lived experience of disability, selected through a national Expressions of Interest process that ensures national perspectives inform the NDIS Commission’s regulatory approach.