Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

Annual Report

July 2017 – June 2018

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Publishing Information

Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) (2018), ‘Annual Report for the Period July 2017 – June 2018’, WWDA: Hobart. December 2018. Prepared by Carolyn Frohmader.

Acknowledgments

Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is partly funded by the Australian Government, Department of Social Services.

WWDA acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which this publication was produced. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s deep spiritual connection to this land. We extend our respects to community members and Elders past, present and becoming.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and not necessarily those of the funding body. All possible care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in this document. WWDA disclaims any liability for the accuracy and sufficiency of the information and under no circumstances shall be liable in negligence or otherwise in or arising out of the preparation or supply of any of the information aforesaid.

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without written permission from Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA).

© 2018 Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA).

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About Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

WWDA represents more than 2 million disabled women and girls in Australia, has affiliate organisations and networks of women with disability in most States and Territories, and is recognised nationally and internationally for its leadership in advancing the rights and freedoms of all women and girls with disability.

Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is the national Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) for women and girls with all types of disability in Australia. DPOs are recognised around the world, and in international human rights law, as self-determining organisations led by, controlled by, and constituted of, people with disability. DPO’s are organisations of people with disability, as opposed to organisations who may represent people with disability. As a DPO, WWDA is run by and for women and girls with disability. Our organisation operates as a transnational human rights organisation - meaning that our work, and the impact of our work, extends much further than Australia. WWDA’s work is grounded in a human-rights based framework which links gender and disability issues to a full range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

WWDA is a founding member of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia), an alliance of four national, population specific and cross-disability DPO’s in Australia. DPO Australia was founded by, and is comprised of: Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA); First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN); People with Disability Australia (PWDA); and, National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA). The key purpose of DPO Australia is to promote, protect and advance the human rights and freedoms of people with disability in Australia by working collaboratively on areas of shared interests, purposes and strategic priorities and opportunities. DPO Australia is a recognised coordinating point between Government/s and other stakeholders, for consultation and engagement with people with disability in Australia.

Contact

Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)PO Box 407, Lenah Valley TASMANIA 7018

Winner, National Human Rights Award 2001Winner, National Violence Prevention Award 1999Winner, Tasmanian Women's Safety

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Mobile: +61 438 535 123Email: carolyn@wwda.org.au Web: www.wwda.org.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/WWDA.Australia Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWDA_AUABN: 23 627 650 121Contact: Carolyn Frohmader (Executive Director)

Award 2008Certificate of Merit, Australian Crime & Violence Prevention Awards 2008Nominee, National Disability Awards 2017Nominee, French Republic's Human Rights Prize 2003Nominee, UN Millennium Peace Prize for Women 2000

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Contents

About Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA).............................4

About WWDA’s Annual Report.............................................................6

WWDA Board 2017-2018........................................................................8

WWDA Staff 2017-2018..........................................................................9

WWDA Acting Presidents Report – by Pamela Menere....................10

WWDA Executive Directors Report – By Carolyn Frohmader..........12

Summary of Key Outputs and Achievements....................................18

Endnotes...............................................................................................31

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About WWDA’s Annual Report

This Annual Report provides a summary snapshot of just some of WWDA’s key outputs, activities and achievements at the international and national level for the financial year reporting period 1st July 2017 – 30th June 2018. The Report demonstrates the breadth, scope and high standard of WWDA’s work, on a wide range of initiatives and programs, across all portfolio areas and across jurisdictions. Our Annual Report highlights and reflects WWDA’s commitment to promoting and advancing the rights and freedoms of women and girls with disability – both within Australia and around the world. Our Annual Report also reflects the human rights based approach from which we operate.

This Annual Report is structured in line with WWDA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2021, which was published in 2017 after extensive consultation with our members and constituents. WWDA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2021 contains five main goals. Under each goal are listed key objectives which set out how we intend to achieve our goals. The five goals are to:

1. Undertake focused systemic advocacy on priority human rights issues identified by women and girls with disability: freedom from all forms of violence; decision-making and participation; sexual and reproductive rights; economic security, justice.

2. Build on and further develop WWDA’s profile and reputation at the national and international levels as the globally recognised leader on advancing the human rights of women and girls with disability.

3. Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of Australian Government legislation and policies that affect women and girls with disability.

4. Enhance WWDA’s capacity to consult, engage and represent young women and girls with disability.

5. Develop infrastructure, systems and mechanisms to enable WWDA to effect its purpose, goals and objectives.

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It is outside the scope of this Report to do justice to the extensive work of WWDA during the reporting period July 2017 – June 2018. However, in compiling this summary report, we have endeavoured to give our members, supporters and funders a synopsis of just some of the key activities our organisation has undertaken, and has been engaged in, as part of our efforts to promote the rights of all women and girls with disability.

Further detail of WWDA’s work can be found on our extensive website at www.wwda.org.au and www.youth.wwda.org.au and across our other platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WWDA.AustraliaTwitter: https://twitter.com/WWDA_AU

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WWDA Board 2017-2018

Karen SwiftPresident

Iva StrnadovaVice-President

Pamela MenereTreasurer/Acting President

Cherohn RuleCommittee Member

Monique CrowdenCommittee Member Jess White

Committee Member

Fiona StrahanCommittee Member

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WWDA Staff 2017-2018

Carolyn FrohmaderExecutive Director

(Full Time)

Christopher BrophyDirector, Policy and

Communications (Full Time)

Cashelle DunnProject Officer, WWDA Youth

Network(2 days a week to )

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WWDA Acting Presidents Report – by Pamela Menere

As always, WWDA has worked extremely hard during the reporting period (July 2017 – June 2018) and has achieved some great things, despite many challenges to the organisation due to limited capacity and funding and ongoing uncertainty around our future. Despite a period of extended leave in early 2018 to deal with a serious illness, our Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader continues to manage our organisation with professionalism, diligence and integrity.

During Carolyn’s absence in early to mid 2018, the WWDA Board stepped up to support Chris Brophy (WWDA Director of Strategic Policy and Communications), and WWDA life member Helen

Meekosha - who kindly stepped in to help in managing the organisation whilst Carolyn was away.

Despite the challenges our organisation faced during the reporting period, WWDA still manages to undertake work that is ground-breaking, cutting edge and critically acclaimed. As Acting President, I am extremely proud of our organisation and what we are able to achieve on such limited resources.

This Annual Report highlights just some of the key outputs and achievements during the reporting period, so I won’t duplicate these in my report. Rather, as Acting President I would like to make some particular acknowledgments of thanks to those who have contributed to and supported the work of WWDA over the reporting period.

On behalf of the WWDA Management Committee and WWDA’s members and allies, I would like to thank our Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader, for her ongoing dedication and commitment to our organisation. We were delighted to have Carolyn return to us after three months sick leave, and are thankful that she is recovering well. I would like to pay particular thanks to Chris Brophy, who not only manages all of WWDA’s digital platforms, and undertakes significant policy work, but stepped up to help manage WWDA whilst Carolyn was on leave. I would

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Pamela Menere

also like to thank Associate Professor Helen Meekosha, a life member of WWDA, for her significant support during Carolyn’s absence.

During the reporting period, we saw some changes at both the governance and operational levels. Our President, Karin Swift, stepped down from her role and was replaced for an interim period by Vice President Dr Iva Strnadova. We thank both Karin and Iva for their significant contribution to WWDA over many years. Board members Bonnie Millen, Suzy Keene and Margherita Coppolino resigned from the WWDA Board to pursue other opportunities. We welcomed Fiona Strahan from Tasmania onto the Board for a six-month period and are appreciative of the expertise and skills Fiona brought to WWDA. We sadly said farewell to our wonderful Cashelle Dunn, WWDA Youth Network Manager, who left WWDA to take up a new opportunity. We thank Cashelle for everything she has given to WWDA, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

I would of course, like to formally recognise and acknowledge the WWDA Board members for their ongoing commitment and efforts over the past year. I also acknowledge with thanks, the many contributions our members make to the work and success of WWDA. Whether it is through representing WWDA at national or international conferences and events; on state or national boards or committees; contributing to our discussion lists, Facebook page, website and twitter; or sharing with us your lived experiences of being women with disability, we highly value your contributions. It is, after all, the lived experiences of women and girls with disability that inform and direct the work we do, so thank you for your efforts, support and dedication.

In December 2017, WWDA was advised that our tender application for operational funding was successful, and we are now funded until end June 2020. At this time, there is no guarantee of ongoing funding post June 2020, but we remain hopeful that the Australian Government will continue to fund WWDA into the future. We acknowledge, with thanks the Department of Social Services (DSS) for funding WWDA to end June 2020. We also acknowledge the ongoing support of WWDA’s Accountant, Cody Burdon, and thank him for ensuring WWDA maintains the highest level of financial management and accountability.

Pamela MenereWWDA President (Acting)

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WWDA Executive Directors Report – By Carolyn Frohmader

The 2017-2018 financial year proved another extremely busy year for WWDA. As many WWDA members and supporters would be aware, in late 2017, WWDA was required to apply for our operational funding through an open public tender process. Our application was successful, and we were funded $300,000 per year for 2 years (to end June 2020).

At this stage, there is no guarantee of ongoing operational funding post June 2020, and this uncertainty makes it difficult to plan into the future and be able to offer staff security of tenure.

WWDA’s key work during the reporting period (1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018) focused on the priority issues

identified by our members, as well as key work areas that are a requirement of our funding contract with the Department of Social Services (DSS).

Unfortunately, I was required to take a period of extended sick leave during 2018, which made things difficult for WWDA. However, the WWDA Board stepped up to assist Chris Brophy to manage the organisation during my absence, and Associate Professor Helen Meekosha (a WWDA life member) came on board to help with the operational management of the organisation during my leave. I am particularly thankful to the WWDA Board, to Chris and to Helen for managing WWDA so professionally during my absence.

Our members have made it clear that there are four key thematic areas that they consider warrant priority from WWDA and from Government. These key areas include:

The prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls with disability;

Promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls with disability;

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Carolyn Frohmader

Promoting decision-making and agency of women and girls with disability; and,

Promoting leadership and participation opportunities for women and girls with disability.

In 2017, WWDA formally published and disseminated the First Edition of our Human Rights Toolkit, which was developed to explore some of the key issues facing women and girls with disability and provide practical resources for leading change. To complement the Toolkit, WWDA also developed and published key Position Statements on the priority issues identified by women and with disability in Australia. These evidence-based Position Statements have proven extremely popular, and have been used by the international human rights treaty monitoring bodies and civil society delegations to the United Nations – to assist in reviewing and monitoring Australia’s compliance under the human rights to which our country is a party. During the reporting period, WWDA also developed and published youth friendly versions of the Position Statements, as well as a youth friendly Human Rights Workbook and also youth friendly human rights videos. In 2019, WWDA will be seeking to develop and provide Easy English versions of WWDA’s Position Statements and Human Rights Toolkit.

In late 2017 and early 2018, WWDA undertook extensive collaborative work with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and its contracted consultants to develop legislative and policy frameworks to underpin the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Framework. WWDA assisted in writing the NDIS Code of Conduct for Service Providers; the NDIS Code of Conduct for Workers; the NDIS Worker Screening Policy; the NDIS Rules; and the NDIS Practice Standards. WWDA’s contribution to these policies and frameworks was vital, as we were able to ensure that they were gendered, recognised the specific needs ad rights of women and girls with disability, and reflected the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

During the reporting period, we continued our collaborative partnership work with the 1800RESPECT service, administered by Medibank Health Solutions on behalf of the Australian Government. As the Executive Director of WWDA, I was appointed to the 1800RESPECT National Sector Advisory Group (NSAG) which provides strategic guidance and monitoring of the 1800RESPECT Service. This role is critical, as I am the only ‘disability’ representative on the Group, and part of my role is to advocate for all aspects of the 1800RESPECT service (and its contracted specialist trauma counsellor services) to be fully inclusive. 14

In 2018, the Australian Government funded 1800RESPECT to implement and deliver two national projects. Both these projects were in direct response to the recommendations from WWDA’s 2016 1800RESPECT Project (“Improving Service Responses for Women with Disability Experiencing Violence: 1800RESPECT”), where we undertook a six-month project to evaluate all aspects of the service and recommend how the service could be improved to be more inclusive and accessible.

The two national projects funded by the Australia Government commenced in 2018. The first of these Projects was a six-month project to design and develop a Mobile App for women and girls with disability experiencing or at risk of experiencing violence. WWDA received a small amount of funding from 1800RESPECT to work in partnership to deliver this ground-breaking project. An Expert Advisory Group of women with disability were involved in every aspect of the Project from the outset, and the end result was the ground-breaking mobile App called “Sunny”. If you haven’t already downloaded Sunny, I encourage you to do so, and help WWDA by promoting it through your own networks. You can find information about Sunny, including where to get it, from WWDA’s website at: http://wwda.org.au/sunny/

WWDA is also working with 1800RESPECT to advise on the implementation and delivery of a second project, called the Disability Pathways Project. The Australian Government has provided over $2 million to 1800RESPECT to deliver this Project, which aims to improve pathways to safety for women and girls with disability experiencing or at risk of violence. WWDA is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for this Project, which will run for 2 years.

During the reporting period, WWDA developed a number of Tender Applications in an effort to secure project funding for initiatives on the four priority areas identified by women and girls with disability in Australia. The process of writing tender applications to Government is laborious and time-consuming, but necessary in efforts to secure funding. We applied through a public open tender process for project funding from the Office for Women (Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet), however our application was unsuccessful. We will apply again in mid 2019 in order to try and secure project funding to enable WWDA to contribute to the development of national gender policies and other specific initiatives in the women’s sector. It is critical that the voices of women and girls with disability are included in women’s policy.15

WWDA also applied for project funding through an open tender process for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Grants. We were delighted to learn in early 2018 that our application had been successful. Our national ILC Project is to undertake a two-year project to develop “The Virtual Centre for Women and Girls with Disability”, which will be a one-stop digital platform gateway to accessible information, support and referral information for all women and girls with disability, their support persons, families and friends. The Virtual Centre will focus on the four thematic priority areas identified by women and girls with disability in Australia. The need for this Project was initially identified during WWDA’s two-year project in 2012-13, called the “Stop the Violence Project” (STVP), and formed one of the recommendations from the Final Report of the STVP. Our national ILC Project has commenced and is due to be completed in June 2020. A Project Planner was appointed for a three-month period to scope the Project, and two new Project staff are being recruited to implement the Project.

During the reporting period, WWDA developed a range of policy submissions to Government across several issue areas; contributed to international initiatives to improve the status of women and girls with disability globally; contributed to disability reforms being undertaken by the Australian Government; undertook extensive representation work; participated as members of the Civil Society delegation to the CRPD Conference of States Parties (COSP); and the UN Reviews of Australia under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Our current operational funding contract with DSS does not permit us to use any of our operational funding for international travel, so WWDA is often unable to be represented at critical international events unless we can source external funding.

During the reporting period, we have also continued our collaborative work as a member organisation of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia), which is an alliance of four national Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs) in Australia. DPOs are organisations that are led by and made up of people with disability. DPO Australia promotes and advances the human rights and freedoms of all people with disability in Australia by working together on areas of shared interests, strategic priorities and opportunities. DPO Australia is comprised of four national peak bodies: National Ethnic Disability Alliance

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(NEDA); First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN); People With Disability Australia (PWDA); and Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA).

During 2017-208 we continued to expand and grow our digital media platforms and undertook a series of social media campaigns, including for example, the Social Media Campaign series of infographics over sixteen days as part of the 2017 ‘16 days of activism campaign to raise awareness of gender based violence against women’. We wrote, published and disseminated our WWDA Bulletin, including a number of feature editions. We undertook several internal processes and activities in order to improve our governance and internal procedures, including holding a Governance Training Workshop for WWDA Board members in early 2018.

Acknowledgments

As Executive Director, I would like to take this opportunity to firstly, pay tribute to Dr. Margaret Cooper, who sadly passed away in October 2018. Margaret was one of WWDA’s founding members and also WWDA’s inaugural President following incorporation of the organisation in 1995. I remain indebted to Margaret for the support and advice she gave me during my many years as Executive Director of WWDA. WWDA’s Obituary for Margaret can be found at our website at: http://wwda.org.au/vale-margaret-cooper-oam/

I would like to thank Karin Swift (WWDA President) for your support over the past year, in what has been another very challenging and difficult year for WWDA. I would like to thank Dr Iva Strnadova who stepped in as Acting President for a short period after Karin stepped down from the role in early 2018. I would also like to pay particular thanks to Pamela Menere who is WWDA’s current Acting President, and who is also one of WWDA’s founding members. Thank you Pamela for always being available to me and for providing me with such wonderful support.

I would also like to thank the current members of the WWDA Board who have supported me during the reporting period, who worked so hard to keep WWDA on track when I was away on sick leave. Thanks too, retiring Board members Bonnie Millen, Margherita Coppolino and Suzy Keene. Thank you for your contribution to WWDA and I wish you well in your future endeavours.

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I would like to acknowledge and thank those WWDA members who have undertaken representative work on behalf of our organisation during the reporting period, and also to our members and supporters for their continued faith in WWDA and our work.

I would like to particularly acknowledge the extraordinary work done over the past year by Chris Brophy, who has not only managed all of WWDA’s digital platforms and communications, but has provided exceptional policy support and helped to manage WWDA so professionally whilst I was sick. Thank you too, to Associate Professor Helen Meekosha for your assistance whilst I was on extended sick leave.

I would also like to thank our accountant, Cody Burdon for his exceptional service over the past year. Cody is a wonderful asset to WWDA, and we are very fortunate to have his high-level financial knowledge and skills to support the work of WWDA. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to, and to farewell Cashelle Dunn, our wonderful Youth Network Manager who has moved on from WWDA to take up new opportunities. Thank you Cashelle, for everything you have given to WWDA, and I wish you the nest in your new adventures.

I acknowledge as always, the Department of Social Services (DSS) for providing WWDA’s operational funding, and also the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Office for Women) for providing a small project grant to WWDA to enable us to hold a National DPO and Women’s Alliances Workshop in October 2018.

Finally, I must acknowledge the great toll the past year has taken on me personally – trying to maintain the high standard of WWDA’s work, and the esteem in which our organisation is held – while battling a very serious illness, and also caring for my daughter who has also been unwell. I sincerely hope the Australian Government will recognise the extent, standard and value of WWDA’s work, and continue to fund our organisation post June 2020.

And lastly, but certainly by no means least, I would like to pay particular thanks to my daughter Lottie – for her patience and her “behind the scenes” support of, and contribution to WWDA.

Carolyn Frohmader18

Executive Director

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Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

Annual Report

Summary of Key Outputs and Achievements

July 2017 – June 2018

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WWDA Strategic Plan Goal 1:

Undertake focused systemic advocacy on priority human rights issues identified by women and girls with disability: freedom from all forms of violence; decision-making and participation; sexual and reproductive rights; economic security, justice.

Effective and meaningful participation is at the core of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and underpins the National Disability Strategy (NDS). The CRPD addresses participation as a crosscutting issue, meaning that ‘participation’ is embedded within all articles. The CRPD makes it clear that people with disability are the key interlocutors in its implementation and monitoring and full and effective participation must be afforded to all persons with disability on all matters affecting them. The meaningful participation of women and girls with disability is elaborated on in more detail in CRPD General Comment 3 i and by the United Nations Secretary General, in his 2017 Report on the ‘Situation of Women and Girls with Disabilities and the Status of the CRPD’. ii

During 2015 and 2016, WWDA conducted extensive national consultations and engagement with women and girls with disability, including the WWDA National Forum of Women and Girls with Disability, in April 2016. From these processes, women and girls with disability from around Australia identified the priority issues that affect them, identified solutions, prioritised actions, and also engaged actively and directly with representatives from the Australian Government on issues relevant to Australian women and girls with disability. The outcomes of these processes directly informed the development of WWDA’s five-year Strategic Plan and priorities for 2017 to 2021.

Examples of Key Outputs and Activities

Consultancy for 1800RESPECT to review and re-write content for the 1800RESPECT website to be more inclusive of women and girls with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women; and women from CALD communities.

Provision of high level expertise and advice to 1800RESPECT to scope the DSS funded Project: ‘Disability Pathways Project’. Member, Expert Advisory Group, 1800Respect ‘Disability Pathways Project’.

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National Partnership project with 1800RESPECT to co-design and develop a mobile app for women with disability experiencing or at risk of violence.

Development of the WWDA Human Rights Toolkit for Women and Girls with Disability

Development of ‘Violence Against Women and Girls with Disability’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of ‘The Right to Participation’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of ‘Sexual and Reproductive Rights’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of ‘Work and Education’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of ‘Access to Justice’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of ‘The Right to Decision-Making’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Member, 1800RESPECT National Sector Advisory Group (NSAG) to provide expertise and guidance on all aspects of the 1800RESPECT Service

Member, Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) National Expert Advisory Committee to deliver the National AHRC Project on ‘Violence against people with disability in institutional settings’.

Collaboration with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to develop the Fourth Action Plan (2019-2022) to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children

Development and co-ordination of the Civil Society Statement to the Australian Government Calling for a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse and Neglect of People with Disability

Design and promotion of Social Media Campaign series of infographics over sixteen days as part of the 2017 ‘16 days of activism campaign to raise awareness of gender based violence against women’

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WWDA Strategic Plan Goal 2:

Build on and further develop WWDA’s profile and reputation at the national and international levels as the globally recognised leader on advancing the human rights of women and girls with disability.

The participation of women and girls with disability in political and public life at international, national, regional and local levels is clearly articulated in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), through Article 29. The critical role of organisations of women with disability in national and international efforts to advance the rights of women and girls with disability is also clearly articulated in the CPRD (Article 31) and has been further clarified through CRPD General Comment 3.iii The United Nations Secretary General, in his 2017 Report on the ‘Situation of Women and Girls with Disabilities and the Status of the CRPD’ has also made specific recommendations to member states in this area. iv

During the reporting period (July 2017 – June 2018) WWDA continued to monitor and provide expert input to consultation processes regarding key UN human rights conventions and treaties relevant to women and girls with disability, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). WWDA also contributed to civil society monitoring of domestic implementation of the international human rights treaties to which Australia is a party, including contributing to joint NGO Shadow Reporting processes. WWDA also worked with UN Special Procedures on thematic studies and high-level expert general meetings relevant to advancing the human rights of women and girls with disability at the national and international levels.

Examples of Key Outputs and Activities

Contribution to the UN Secretary General Final Report ‘Situation of women and girls with disabilities and the Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto’ [DOC]

Submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Study on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Girls with Disabilities [DOC] [PDF] [Final Report DOC]23

Submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the Right of Persons with Disabilities to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health [DOC] [PDF]

Submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities List of issue [Australia] to be adopted during the 18th Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [DOC] [PDF]

Contribution to the Review of Australia Fifth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – Australian NGO Coalition Submission [PDF]

Collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), DSS, the AHRC and the DRO sector in relation to preparations for the CRPD Conference of States Parties (COSP)

WWDA and DPO Australia: Contribution to NGO Submission to the Review of Australia Fifth Periodic Report Under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights [DOC] [PDF]

Report of the DPO Australia Delegation to Geneva for Australia Review Under Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [DOC] [PDF]

Teleconference and webinar with the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) regarding the List of issues [Australia] to be adopted during the 18th Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Co-drafting of Fact Sheets for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) regarding the List of issues [Australia] to be adopted during the 18th Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Co-drafting of Fact Sheets for the UN Human Rights Committee for the Review of Australia under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

WWDA maintained membership on the International Technical Advisory Committee and the Expert Advisory Committee of the Global Youth with Disability ‘WE DECIDE’ Program. Provided guidance and expertise on draft reports and other processes. 24

WWDA Strategic Plan Goal 3:

Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of Australian Government legislation and policies that affect women and girls with disability.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) expressly states the need to incorporate a gender perspective in all efforts to promote the human rights of people with disability, meaning that the rights of women and girls with disability must be addressed when interpreting and implementing each article of the Convention. The CRPD prioritises women and girls with disability as a group warranting specific attention and additional measures. It obliges Governments to take positive actions and measures to ensure that disabled women and girls enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies the need to ensure that national policies, frameworks and strategies make explicit recognition of the impact of multiple discriminations caused by the intersection of gender and disability, and that such policies and frameworks include focused, gender-specific measures to ensure that women and girls with disability experience full and effective enjoyment of their human rights. Article 6 of the CRPD is a binding non-discrimination and equality provision that unequivocally outlaws discrimination against women and girls with disability and promotes equality of opportunity and equality of outcomes.v

During the reporting period (July 2017 – June 2018) WWDA provided a range of submissions, expertise and knowledge to specific Government and other relevant consultation and engagement processes across multiple agencies to advance gender equality and advancement of women and girls with disability.

Examples of Key Outputs and Activities

Work with the DSS NDIS Market Reform Branch to develop the NDIS Quality and Safeguards ‘Draft Code of Conduct for Workers’ Paper

Work with the DSS NDIS Market Reform Branch to develop the NDIS Quality and Safeguards ‘Draft Code of Conduct for Service Providers’ Paper

Work with the DSS NDIS Market Reform Branch to finalise the NDIS Quality and Safeguards ‘Draft Worker Screening Paper’

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Work with the DSS NDIS Market Reform Branch to refine the NDIS Quality and Safeguards ‘Draft Practice Standards’

Collaborate with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to develop the NDIS LGBTIQA+ Strategy

Continue to provide input to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) CEO Forum

Contribute to the development of the National Disability Strategy (NDS) Third Implementation Plan and the New Disability Framework Beyond 2020

Contribute to the development of the Third National Disability Strategy (NDS) Progress Report to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG)

WWDA contribution to DPO Australia Submission to Senate Inquiry into National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (Quality and Safeguards Commission and Other Measures) Bill 2017 [DOC] [PDF]

WWDA contribution to DPO Australia Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Quality and Safeguards Commission and Other Measures) Bill 2017 [DOC] [PDF]

WWDA contribution to DPO Australia Submission to Medicare Levy Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) and Related Bills Senate Inquiry [DOC] [PDF]

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WWDA Strategic Plan Goal 4:

Enhance WWDA’s capacity to consult, engage and represent young women and girls with disability.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises the importance of ensuring that all persons with disability, irrespective of age, enjoy the same human rights as everyone else and provides a framework for legal, civic, and socioeconomic empowerment. Effective implementation of the Convention requires a focused effort by all sectors to guarantee that young people with disability participate in mainstreamed as well as in disability specific programs on an equal basis with others.vi

The need for building capacity of young women and girls with disability to learn about and understand their human rights has been identified by women and girls with disability in Australia as a priority issue. The WWDA Youth Network was established by young WWDA members as an engagement, consultation and information platform for young women and girls with disability (aged 13-30 years), with a particular focus on adolescents. The WWDA Youth Network was formally launched by the Minister for Women and the Sex Discrimination Commissioner at a public event in July 2015. The WWDA Youth Network is un-funded and is reliant on WWDA securing project funds for it to operate.

Examples of Key Outputs and Activities

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Human Rights Workbook – First Edition [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 1: Violence [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 2: Decision-Making [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 3: Participation [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 4: Sexual and Reproductive Rights [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]27

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 5: Work and Education [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 6: Justice [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: Position Statement 7: Young Women and Girls with Disability [PDF] [DOC] [RTF]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘Girls with Disability: Understanding and Advocating for Your Rights’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘Violence Against Women and Girls with Disability’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘The Right to Participation’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘Sexual and Reproductive Rights’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘Work and Education’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘Access to Justice’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

Development of the WWDA Youth Network: ‘The Right to Decision-Making’ [Captioned Infographic Video]

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WWDA Strategic Plan Goal 5:

Develop infrastructure, systems and mechanisms to enable WWDA to effect its purpose, goals and objectives.

As a Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO), WWDA consistently seeks out opportunities to build its capacity to meaningfully engage with its members and stakeholders. During the reporting period, WWDA has further developed its online presence and reach and has undertaken specific activities to improve its internal systems and processes, including pursuing opportunities to secure funding for the organisation. WWDA is an organisation of two permanent full time staff. WWDA’s staff is supported by a volunteer Board of Management.

Examples of Key Outputs and Activities

Production and Dissemination of ‘WWDA News’ Bulletins: WWDA produces regular ‘Bulletins’ which are disseminated worldwide. During the reporting period, WWDA developed and published nineteen Bulletins. Every WWDA Bulletin includes information promoting government and other relevant initiatives, consultations, and opportunities for engagement with women and girls with disability. WWDA Bulletins also provide information on key activities being undertaken by the DRO sector. WWDA also produces Feature Bulletins on issue based and thematic areas. See: http://wwda.org.au/category/bulletins/

Social Media Campaigns – During the reporting period, WWDA has initiated and developed a series of social media campaigns on key issues and thematic areas, consistent with the priority issues identified by women and girls with disability in Australia. WWDA has also used social media campaigns to promote key Government and related initiatives, including for example: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and International Day of People with Disabilities.

During the reporting period, WWDA has expanded its online reach and engagement mechanisms through its digital platforms including Twitter, the WWDA Facebook Page; the WWDA Website; and the establishment of the WWDA YouTube channel. WWDA has undertaken an extensive series of promotional activities during the reporting period across all its digital platforms.

Transition to Cloud based systems – During 2017, WWDA began the process of transitioning to cloud based systems for implementation and storage of all WWDA 29

files (including archival), all email systems, and accounting and financial management systems. This work will continue in 2018.

WWDA Board Governance Workshop – in early 2018, WWDA conducted a two day Governance Training Workshop for the WWDA Board members. This workshop was held in Sydney, and facilitated by an independent Consultant.

WWDA Website Development and Maintenance – WWDA’s website is one of the largest websites in the world dedicated to gender and disability. It is now over 20 years old, and WWDA is seeking funding from external sources to re-develop the website into a fully accessible and functional digital platform. During the reporting period, WWDA has maintained currency of the website, which houses more than 3,000 separate publications and resources.

Tender Application for Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) Funding Grant – WWDA’s operational grant funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS) expired on 31st December 2017. In late 2016, the Australian Government advertised grant funding for ‘Disability Representative Organisations (DRO’s) through an open public tender process. WWDA undertook significant work to develop the Tender Application for WWDA, which was submitted to the Australian Government by the requisite closing date of 6th October 2017. WWDA was advised in late December 2017 that our Tender Application was successful, and the organisation would be funded $300,000 per annum to end June 2020.

Tender Application for Women’s Leadership and Development Grants Program – In late 2017, WWDA undertook significant work to develop a Tender Application to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) Women’s Leadership and Development Grants Program, administered by the Office for Women. This grant opportunity was advertised as an open public tender process. WWDA’s application is to conduct a specific project over two years based on one of the identified priorities of women and girls with disability (to reduce all forms of violence against women and girls with disability). Regrettably, this application was unsuccessful.

Tender Application for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC): ILC National Readiness Grants: Information Linkages and Referrals - In late 2017, WWDA undertook significant work to develop a Tender Application to the NDIS National ILC National Readiness Grants Program. This grant opportunity was advertised as an open 30

public tender process. WWDA’s application is to conduct a specific project over two years based on the identified priorities of women and girls with disability. In mid 2018, WWDA was delighted to learn that our tender application had been successful. This major, national ILC Project will be undertaken by WWDA over a two year period.

Project Application to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Office for Women – WWDA was pleased to learn that our proposal to the Office for Women - to conduct a national Workshop to increase the engagement of women with disability in the work of the National Women’s Alliances, was successful. WWDA will receive a small project grant of $50,000 to coordinate and host a national workshop between the National Disabled People’s Organisations and the National Women’s Alliances. This Workshop is planned for October 2018 and will be held in Sydney.

Establishment and Ongoing Development of Automated Email Distribution Lists: During the reporting period, WWDA continued to build on the development of information dissemination mechanisms, including through the subscription based program ‘Campaign Monitor’. WWDA has continued its work to build targeted email distribution lists within this Program, including for e.g.: by sector; by key issues and thematic areas; by jurisdictions; by membership status; by government agencies; by Federal, State and Territory politicians; and so on. This work will continue in 2018.

WWDA continued to manage, maintain and enhance the Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) website. WWDA also provided a three month secretariat function for DPO Australia in mid 2018.

WWDA CEO continued to participate in fortnightly videoconference meetings of the CEO’s of DPO Australia.

WWDA has continued to employ high standard governance and financial management practices. During the reporting year, WWDA has met all reporting and accountability requirements as well as those in relation to our funding bodies. In accordance with the constitutional requirements of the organisation, WWDA’s service agreements; the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT); and the Charities Act 2013 (Cth), WWDA has undertaken a wide range of internal and external reporting and accountability requirements. During the reporting period, WWDA has also undertaken a significant amount of work in relation to 31

governance, including financial management, human resources, and related reporting.

WWDA’s sound governance, financial and organisational management practices are demonstrated through the following processes:

Undertaking of reporting in accordance with the constitutional requirements of the organisation, WWDA’s service agreements; the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT); and the Charities Act 2013 (Cth)

Preparing and completing Annual Reporting requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

Preparing and submitting WWDA Service Agreement (and relevant Project funding contracts) Progress and Project Reports and financial acquittals

Writing, publishing and disseminating the WWDA Annual Report Provision of financial reports prepared by the WWDA Accountant to the

WWDA Management Committee Annual Auditing of financial statements by registered audit company in

accordance with the Australian Accounting Standards and Australian Auditing Standards

Conducting monthly meetings of the WWDA Board Conducting the WWDA Annual General Meeting Fortnightly meetings between WWDA Executive Director and the President

of the WWDA Board Conducting of annual staff performance reviews Review and renewal of WWDA Insurance policies; Annual review of WWDA Strategic Plan, WWDA Management Committee

Orientation Kit.

WWDA’s organisational management practices and ongoing quality improvement are further supported by the services of Employsure who are available assist WWDA to ensure our organisation maintains compliance with all employment legislation and work health and safety matters.

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Endnotes:

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i ‘In line with a human rights-based approach, ensuring the empowerment of women with disabilities means promoting their participation in public decision-making. Women and girls with disabilities have historically encountered many barriers to participation in public decision-making. Due to power imbalances and multiple forms of discrimination, they have had fewer opportunities to establish or join organizations that can represent their needs as women and persons with disabilities. States parties should reach out directly to women and girls with disabilities and establish adequate measures to guarantee that the perspectives of women and girls with disabilities are fully taken into account and that they will not be subjected to any reprisals for expressing their viewpoints and concerns, especially in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence including sexual violence. Finally, States parties must promote the participation of representative organizations of women with disabilities beyond disability-specific consultative bodies and mechanisms.’ See also para 62(a)(iii): ‘Addressing all barriers that prevent or restrict the participation of women with disabilities and ensuring that women with disabilities as well as the views and opinions of girls with disabilities, through their representative organizations, are included in the design, implementation and monitoring of all programmes which have an impact on their lives; including women with disabilities in all branches and bodies of the national monitoring system.’ UN Doc. No. CRPD/C/GC/3. ii ‘Strengthen the normative and policy frameworks for equality and the full participation of women and girls with disabilities in society and development, including, inter alia, ending violence and all forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities;’ and at para 62(b) ‘Promote the full and effective participation of women and girls with disabilities in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres, and advance their empowerment and leadership roles at all levels of decision-making’. UN Doc No: A/72/227.

iii ‘Support and promotion of international cooperation and assistance in a manner consistent with all national efforts to eliminate the legal, procedural, practical or social barriers to the full development, advancement and empowerment of women with disabilities in their communities as well as at the national, regional and global levels and the inclusion of women with disabilities in the design, implementation and monitoring of international cooperation projects and programmes that affect their lives. UN Doc. No. CRPD/C/GC/3.

iv ‘Advance coordination and accountability mechanisms to catalyse work for women and girls with disabilities and build partnerships and networks at the national, regional and global levels among, inter alia, Governments, United Nations entities, intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, including women’s organizations and organizations of women

and persons with disabilities, for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.’ UN Doc No: A/72/227.

v See: UN Doc. No. CRPD/C/GC/3

vi See for e.g.: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/youth/fact-sheets/youth-with-disabilities.pdf