ANNUAL REPORT
Key International and National Projects, Activities and Achievements
1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) ‘Annual Report: Key International and National Projects, Activities and Achievements - 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016’. WWDA, December 2016, Hobart, Tasmania. Copyright.
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Winner, National Human Rights Award 2001
Winner, National Violence Prevention Award 1999
Winner, Tasmanian Women's Safety Award 2008
Certificate of Merit, Australian Crime & Violence Prevention Awards 2008
Nominee, French Republic's Human Rights Prize 2003
Nominee, UN Millennium Peace Prize for Women 2000
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
PO Box 407, Lenah Valley Tasmania 7008 AUST
Ph: +61 438 535 123 E:
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Contact: Carolyn Frohmader, Executive Director
Disclaimer Statement
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).
Non-WWDA logos and trademarks are © their respective owners.
© 2016 Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA).
Contents
1. ABOUT WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES AUSTRALIA (WWDA)
2. ABOUT THIS ANNUAL REPORT
3. WWDA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2015-2016
4. WWDA STAFF 2015-2016
5. WWDA PRESIDENTS REPORT 2015-2016
6. WWDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT 2015-2016
7. WWDA FINANCIAL REPORT 2015-2016
1. ABOUT WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES AUSTRALIA (WWDA)
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is the award winning, national Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) for women and girls with all types of disability in Australia. WWDA was established in 1995 as a small, independent non-government organisation (NGO) run by women with disability for women with disability. Over the past 20 years, WWDA has grown from a small group of disabled women concerned primarily with building individual confidence and self-esteem, to an internationally respected DPO enabling and representing the collective interests of women and girls with disability and promoting and advancing their rights and freedoms.
WWDA operates as a transnational human rights organisation – meaning that our work, and the impact of our work, extends much further than Australia. As a DPO, WWDA is managed and run by women with disability, for women and girls with disability. WWDA represents more than two million disabled women and girls in Australia, has affiliate organisations and networks of women with disability in most States and Territories of Australia, and is internationally recognised for our global leadership in advancing the human rights of women and girls with disability.
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. It is this holistic, comprehensive human rights framework that WWDA works from and within, to promote and advance the human rights of women and girls with disability. Importantly, utilising this holistic framework in all aspects of our work enables us to demand accountability from Governments and other duty bearers in relation to recognising and addressing the violations of human rights experienced by women and girls with disability.
As the DPO for women and girls with all types of disability in Australia, WWDA is the recognised coordination point between Government/s and other stakeholders, (both nationally and internationally) for expertise, advice, collaboration, consultation and engagement with women and girls with disability in Australia.
WWDA is a founding member of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) – formerly known as the Australian Cross Disability Alliance (ACDA). DPO Australia is an alliance of four national disabled people’s organisations (DPO’s) in Australia. The key purpose of DPOA 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.
The key purpose of WWDA is to promote and advance the human rights and freedoms of women and girls with disability. Our goal is to be a national voice for the rights of women and girls with disability and a national force to improve the lives and life chances of women and girls with disability.
The key objectives of WWDA are to:
- actively promote the participation of women and girls with disability in all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life;
- advocate on issues of concern to women and girls with disability in Australia; and
- seek to be the national representative organisation for women and girls with disability in Australia by: undertaking systemic advocacy; providing policy advice; undertaking research; and, providing information and education.
Underpinning WWDA’s work, and implicit in WWDA's Strategic direction, is a commitment to the principles that inform the human rights based approach to our work:
Universality & inalienability:
Human rights are universal and inalienable, the entitlement of all people everywhere in the world. An individual cannot voluntarily give them up. Nor can others take them away.
Indivisibility:
Human rights are indivisible. Whether civil, cultural, economic, political or social, they are all inherent to the dignity of every person. Consequently, all human rights have equal status.
Interdependence:
The realisation of one right often depends, wholly or in part, on the realisation of others.
Equality & non-discrimination:
All individuals are equal as human beings, and by virtue of the inherent dignity of each person, are entitled to their rights without discrimination of any kind.
Participation and inclusion:
All people have the right to participate in and access information relating to the decision-making processes that affect their lives and well-being.
Accountability:
States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the observance of human rights. This includes both positive obligations to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, as well as negative obligations to abstain from rights violations.
For more information about Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
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2. ABOUT THIS ANNUAL REPORT
This Annual Report provides a summary snapshot of just some of WWDA’s key projects and activities at the international and national level for the financial year reporting period 1st July 2015 – 30th June 2016.
The Report demonstrates the breadth, scope and high standard of WWDA’s work, on a wide rage of initiatives and programs, across all portfolio areas and across jurisdictions. Our Annual Report clearly demonstrates 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.
It is outside the scope of this Report to do justice to the work of WWDA during the reporting period July 2015 – June 2016. 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
3. WWDA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2015-2016
Rayna Lamb
WWDA President
(resigned May 2016) /
Karen Swift
Co- Vice-President
Acting President May-June 2016 /
El Gibbs
Co- Vice-President
(resigned June 2016)
Pamela Menere
Treasurer /
Iva Strnadova
Committee Member /
Bonnie Millen
Committee Member
Margherita Coppolino
Committee Member /
Jen Hargraves
Committee Member
(resigned 2016)
4. WWDA STAFF 2015-2016
PERMANENT STAFF
Carolyn Frohmader
Executive Director
(Full time) /
Christopher Brophy
Director, Strategic Communications
(Part time 2 days a week)
PART TIME PROJECT STAFF
Cashelle Dunn
Manager WWDA Youth Network
(2 days a week to June 2017) /
Cristina Ricci
Director, Strategic Policy and Programs
(14hrs per week to August 2016)
5. WWDA PRESIDENTS REPORT 2015-2016
BY KARIN SWIFT
Karin Swift
As always, WWDA has achieved some great things this year, both nationally and internationally, despite many challenges to the organisation due to limited capacity and funding and ongoing uncertainty around our future. Our Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader, has very capably managed our organisation despite professional and personal adversity – including ongoing health challenges and significant ongoing challenges following the loss of her home in the Tasmanian bushfires of January 2013.
Carolyn will be reporting on some of key outcomes and achievements during the reporting period (1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016), so I won’t duplicate these in my report. Rather, I would like to use my Report to say some thankyou’s and also to reassure our members and supporters that despite funding uncertainty and difficult times, our work to promote and protect the human rights of women and girls with disability will continue into the future with as much commitment and dedication as ever.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that WWDA has one paid full time paid employee, (our Executive Director), one part-time Director of Strategic Communications (Chris Brophy) and a part-time Project Officer (Cashelle Dunn) whose employment with WWDA is dependent on securing Project funding. WWDA has a Board of Management made up of women with disability from around Australia who volunteer their time to the organisation. Although we currently receive just $300,000 per year in operational funding from the Australian Government (until end June 2017), we still manage to undertake work that is ground-breaking, cutting edge and critically acclaimed. As Acting President, I am obviously extremely proud of our organisation and what we achieve on such limited resources, however, it remains obvious that WWDA’s funding situation remains inequitable and unsustainable. WWDA is held in high esteem by our government for our work and the integrity of our work, but we are yet to see that esteem translate into funding and resources commensurate with the work we do.
First and foremost, 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 extraordinary dedication and commitment to our organisation. For almost 20 years, Carolyn has given above and beyond the call of duty to WWDA, and this past year has been no exception. Carolyn has had to work under the most difficult circumstances, yet has still managed to lead our organisation with dignity, professionalism and grace. Her work, on and behalf of our members, is always of the highest standard, and she steadfastly refuses to compromise on the standard and integrity of work in the name of WWDA.
I would of course, like to formally recognise and acknowledge the WWDA Management Committee for their ongoing commitment and efforts over the past year. It has been a particular difficult year for the WWDA Board and staff, with three members of our Management Committee stepping down from the Board, including our former President Rayna Lamb. We wish Rayna, Jen Hargraves and El Gibbs all the best for their future, and thank them for the contribution they made to WWDA during their time as Board members.
I would like to 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 contribution. 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.
And finally, I would like to acknowledge the Australian Department of Social Services (DSS) for providing WWDA with our operational grant of $300,000 per annum. We are also appreciative of the project funding we received from the Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to implement our national Project ‘Strengthening the Voice of WWDA and Women with Disability’, and also the project funding we received from Medibank Health Solutions (MHS) to enable us to implement the National Project “Improving Service Responses for Women with Disability Experiencing Violence: 1800RESPECT”.
Karin Swift
WWDA President (Acting)
6. WWDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT 2015-2016
BY CAROLYN FROHMADER
Carolyn Frohmader
As many WWDA members and supporters would be aware, WWDA receives our operational funding from the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services (DSS). In early 2014, DSS made significant reforms to the model and funding arrangements for disability peak representation in Australia. In July 2014, as part of these major reforms, WWDA was required to apply through an open public tender process, for our future operational funding. Our public tender application was successful and our funding contract was finalised by DSS in March 2015. WWDA’s contract with DSS is for a two-year period for the amount of $300,000 per year, and ceases at the end of June 2017. WWDA has been advised by DSS that there will be a ‘review’ of the current model and funding arrangements for disability peak representation and this review will be completed prior to December 2016. WWDA therefore has no certainty or guarantee of ongoing Government funding after June 2017.
Despite the uncertainty of WWDA’s funding into the future, our organisation has worked incredibly hard during the reporting period (1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016) to produce quality work that is highly regarded throughout Australia and overseas. Our work over the 12-month funding period to end June 2016 at both national and international levels has had great impact and resulted in significant achievements and successes. Our increased online presence through social media networks and online activism, has substantially raised our profile and contributed to the increased demand for our expertise and advice to a wide range of stakeholders. WWDA has worked extensively at the domestic and international levels on a wide rage of initiatives to advance the human rights and freedoms of women and girls with disability. It is outside the scope of this report to detail the scope and breadth of WWDA’s work and outcomes during 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016, but I feel proud to be able to report on just some examples of our activities for the funding period.
National Forum for Women and Girls with Disability
One of many highlights for WWDA during 2015-2016 was our National Forum for Women and Girls with Disability, held in Melbourne in April 2016. Almost 50 women with disability from all around Australia, along with their support persons, assistance animals, language and communication interpreters, attended the National Forum. The Forum was also attended by representatives from the Australian Government, the National Women’s Alliances, along with Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash (Minister for Women) and Ms Georgie Crozier, (Victorian Shadow Minister for Families and Children; Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family Violence; and Shadow Minister for Women). Supports were made available to all attendees to ensure that the Forum was inclusive, meaningful and empowering for all women and girls with disability. Extensive work was undertaken in the planning phase of the Forum to ensure that the Forum event modelled and showcased best practice in accessibility and inclusion.
The National Forum was held to support women and girls with disability from around Australia to identify the issues that affect them, identify solutions, prioritise actions, and engage actively and directly with representatives from the Australian Government on issues relevant to Australian women and girls with disability. Proceedings and outcomes from the Forum are also informing the development of WWDA’s five-year Strategic Plan and priorities for 2017 to 2021. All aspects of the planning, organising and implementation of the Forum were undertaken by WWDA staff with in-kind support provided by Medibank. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Cashelle, Chris and Cristina, who all worked above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the Forum was a success.
WWDA Life Membership Awards
A wonderful highlight of the National Forum for Women and Girls with Disability was the presentation of WWDA Life Membership Awards to two amazing women with disability who have done so much to advance the human rights of all women and girls with disability. Karin Swift (a member of WWDA for more than two decades, a former WWDA President, Vice-President, and Acting President) and Jules Anderson (an amazing human rights activist who was instrumental in securing the Senate Inquiry into Violence Against People with Disability in Institutional Settings) were both awarded their WWDA Life Membership Certificates by Senator Cash and myself.
Ministerial Launch of the WWDA Youth Network
A major highlight and achievement for WWDA during the reporting period was the establishment and formal Ministerial Launch of the WWDA Youth Network. On Thursday 30th July the [then] Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash in conjunction with WWDA officially launched the WWDA Youth Network at the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney. Minister Cash formally launched the network and applauded the WWDA Youth Network for creating a platform that supports young women with a disability to participate fully in economic, social and political life. The event was widely promoted and accessible.