Women With Disabilities Australia
(WWDA)
Annual Report
September 2006 – September 2007
Winner Australian Human Rights Award 2001
Winner National Violence Prevention Award 1999
Nominee, French Republics Human Rights Prize 2003
Nominee, UN Millennium Peace Prize for Women 2000
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This document was published by:
Winner Australian Human Rights Award 2001
Winner National Violence Prevention Award 1999
Nominee, French Republics Human Rights Prize 2003
Nominee, UN Millennium Peace Prize for Women 2000
PO Box 605, Rosny Park 7018 TAS
Ph: +61 3 62448288 Fax: +61 3 62448255
ABN: 23 627 650 121
Email: wwda@wwda.org.au
Web: www.wwda.org.au
© Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
October 2007
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). 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.
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Contents
About Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) .................................................................. 4
WWDA President’s Report ................................................................................................................ 5
WWDA Executive Director’s Report ................................................................................................ 7
WWDA Management Committee 2006-2007 ................................................................................ 22
WWDA Audit for the Year Ended 30th June 2007 ....................................................................... 25
Appendices ....................................................................................................................................... 35
WWDA Representation 2006-07 ....................................................................................... 35
WWDA Feedback................................................................................................................ 36
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About Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is the peak organisation for women with all types of
disabilities in Australia. It is a federating body of individuals and networks in each State and Territory of
Australia and is made up of women with disabilities and associated organisations. The national secretariat is
located in Tasmania, the island State of Australia. WWDA is run by women with disabilities, for women
with disabilities. It is the only organisation of its kind in Australia and one of only a very small number
internationally. WWDA is inclusive and does not discriminate against any disability. WWDA seeks to
ensure opportunities in all walks of life for all women with disabilities. In this it aims to increase awareness
of, and address issues faced by, women with disabilities in the community. WWDA seeks to ensure the
advancement of education of society to the status and needs of women with disabilities in order to promote
equity, reduce suffering, poverty, discrimination and exploitation of women with disabilities. WWDA is
unique, in that it operates as a national disability organisation; a national women's organisation; and a
national human rights organisation.
WWDA addresses disability within a social model, which identifies the barriers and restrictions facing
women with disabilities as the focus for reform. The aim of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is
to be a national voice for the needs and rights of women with disabilities and a national force to improve the
lives and life chances of women with disabilities. The objectives of Women With Disabilities Australia
(WWDA) are:
 to actively promote the participation of women with disabilities in all aspects of social, economic,
political and cultural life;
 to advocate on issues of concern to women with disabilities in Australia; and
 to seek to be the national representative organisation for women with disabilities in Australia by:
undertaking systemic advocacy; providing policy advice; undertaking research; and providing
support, information and education.
WWDA is managed by a National Management Committee, which is elected each year at the Annual
General Meeting. All members of the Management Committee are women with disabilities. WWDA has two
paid staff members: an Executive Director, and a Business Manager. WWDA receives a small amount of
operational funding annually from the Commonwealth Government, and is required to re-apply for funds
each year.
More information about Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) can be found on WWDA's website at:
www.wwda.org.au
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WWDA President’s Report
By Annie Parkinson
A busy year as usual for WWDA, with our focus being on:
 sterilisation of minors
 access to health screening
 violence against women with disabilities
 capacity building
 UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Sterilisation has continued to be one of our hot topics. Women With Disabilities Australia’s position is of
course that we believe that it is a human rights abuse for minors to be subjected to sterilisation except in
cases that would otherwise result in severe illness or death. To that end, we believe that more supports need
to be put in place to assist families and carers with issues of menstruation and contraception. In late 2006, we
responded strongly to the draft legislation being prepared by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.
As part of this action, we made a concerted effort to alert other interested people and organisations to the
draft legislation and our concerns about it and in response received many letters and emails of support for
our position, ranging from UNICEF to the mother of a young woman who is intellectually disabled.
We continue to work for access for women with disabilities to screening programs such as PAP smears. The
process so far has involved The Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners, the Department of
Health and Ageing, HREOC and the disability sector. It does move slowly but we are very pleased that our
advocacy efforts have resulted in the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners updating their
Standards for General Practices so that from July 1st 2007 they will include an additional indicator in relation
to the availability of height adjustable examination tables. While this is not a mandatory indicator at this
stage, RACGP has committed to a future survey of general practitioners in order to review whether the
indicator should become mandatory. We will continue to work on this issue until it is an essential criterion
for accreditation.
A lengthy part of this year has been spent finalising our violence project. This is a collection of four booklets
giving four different perspectives on the issue of violence for women with disability. This project is
discussed in detail in our Executive Director’s Report, so I refer you to that and urge you to get hold of a
copy. It’s a great resource.
In June this year I attended the NGO’s domestic human rights forum in Canberra, which gave me a chance
to highlight some of WWDA’s issues, particularly sterilisation and also let me hear what was happening
with other groups such as Indigenous Health Centres. Phillip Ruddock (Federal Attorney-General) chaired
the main session, which gave participants a two-hour opportunity in which to raise issues areas of concern.
As is often the case at these events, the informal conversations held in the breaks were the most useful.
In terms of capacity building for our organisation and membership, we have been fortunate enough this year
to have some funding from the Global Fund for Women, which came unattached to a specific project.
Women With Disabilities Australia could therefore decide how to make the most effective use of this money.
We chose to use it in two main ways: firstly on an Information Technology update, which included a more
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efficient printer and a streamlined database; next, and I’m very pleased to report this, on putting in place for
the first time a postal election system for members. I have had this on my agenda for WWDA since I became
President, as I believe it makes for a more democratic process and creates a greater sense of ownership
among the members. I thank Angela Court (WWDA Business Manager) for the research she did into the
election procedures of other organisations and for her painstaking work in putting together our new
electoral process. It’s now ready to swing into action every year.
One of the big events of this year has been the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities. The lead up to this lasted for years with government involvement from all the countries
involved. Australia was apparently unusual in that the disability sector was very involved in discussion and
consultation. WWDA played a major role in getting a specific Article on women included and making sure
that the Articles that seemed particularly relevant to women were expanded to reflect that relevance. The
first submission from WWDA was produced some years ago and it is great to see that a convention we can
value has now been signed by Australia. The next stage is ratification. In June, the Human Rights & Equal
Opportunity Commission (HREOC) ran a workshop on ‘What now?’ for the Convention at which I
represented WWDA. Other peaks, advisory councils and advocacy groups also attended. The Federal
Attorney General addressed the meeting and said that he hopes to be able to progress ratification quickly. In
order to ratify, Mr Ruddock said he needs to be assured that no further Australian legislation would be
required in order for Australia to comply. If twenty countries ratify, the Convention becomes a vital part of
United Nations law.
As always, I must thank our wonderful staff for all their work over this last year. Their dedication to
improving the situation of women living with disability has been unflagging. Sadly, we are saying farewell
to Angela, who is moving interstate with her family and will be leaving us in January. We have Emily
Cobbing lined up to take over the role of Office Manager at that time.
I thank the committee for their involvement and assistance throughout the year, despite our geographical
isolation from each other, and must particularly thank Sue Salthouse, our Vice-President. I appreciate her
unfailing support and rely on her insights on all sorts of issues. I’d also like to welcome our new committee
member, Rayna Lamb from Western Australia. Finally, I thank the Department of Families, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) for providing WWDA’s annual operational funding through their
National Disability Secretariat Program; the Office for Women (FaCSIA) for two project grants; and the
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) for WWDA’s
telecommunications representation grant.
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WWDA Executive Director’s Report
By Carolyn Frohmader
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has had yet another hectic and demanding year. With
dedicated work at significantly above our funding level, the organisation has achieved a number of
significant outcomes over the past 12 months. We have been particularly active and successful in our human
rights systemic advocacy work – specifically around the issues of sterilisation of minors with an intellectual
disability; violence against women with disabilities; improving the representation opportunities of disabled
women; and in our ongoing work regarding the development and implementation of the United Nations
treaty on the rights of people with disabilities. WWDA has also undertaken two major projects during the
past year on issues of great concern to our constituents – violence against women with disabilities; and
increasing representation and leadership opportunities for women with disabilities in Australia.
As Executive Director, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Annie Parkinson (WWDA President)
and Sue Salthouse (WWDA Vice President), for their commitment and dedication to their roles, and indeed
their valuable guidance and support of the WWDA national office staff. My thanks go to the WWDA
Management Committee members for their work and support over the past 12 months. I would like also to
acknowledge those WWDA members who have undertaken representative work on behalf of WWDA over
the past year. I would particularly like to pay tribute to Associate Professor Helen Meekosha and Dr. Leanne
Dowse for their valuable contributions to the work of WWDA.
On behalf of the organisation, I would like to thank to the Commonwealth Department of Families,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) for supporting the work of WWDA through the
provision of an annual operational funding grant. We also acknowledge with gratitude the continued
support of the Global Fund for Women (USA) which has provided a funding grant to assist us in our
endeavours to improve the lives of disabled women.
Finally, I would like to thank Angela Court, WWDA’s Office Manager for her tireless and diligent work in
the WWDA Office. We say goodbye to Angela, who is leaving the organisation in the coming months to take
up new opportunities in Sydney. We wish her all the best for her future.
The following report gives a brief synopsis of WWDA’s performance over the past 12 months, under the
categories: Advice to Australian Government on Policy and Service Delivery; Consultation, Representation and
Networking; Community Information, Awareness Raising and Education; and Corporate Governance. These
categories are consistent with the outcome requirements within WWDA’s funding contract with the
Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA).
1.
Advice to Australian Government on Policy and Service
Delivery
WWDA has contributed to a number of government, non-government and industry processes, reviews,
inquiries, and consultations during the past year. At a Federal Government level, WWDA’s formal
submissions demonstrate the breadth and scope of the organisation’s work, with submissions developed
across a diverse range of issue areas, including: sterilisation; domestic violence law reform; national
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disability policy & programs; employment & income support; development and implementation of
international human rights treaties; and more.
1.1. WWDA Policy Submissions
Over the past year, WWDA contributed policy submissions and/or policy input to the following:
 Senate Inquiry into the Commonwealth State and Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA);
 Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) Draft Children with Intellectual Disabilities
(Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006;
 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
 ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Working Families Inquiry into the 'Impact of the
commonwealth industrial relations legislation on working families in the ACT';
 South Australian Government Domestic Violence Law Reforms;
 Review of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP);
 Enhancing the National Disability Advocacy Program Consultations;
 Attorney-General’s Non-Government Organisation Forum on Domestic Human Rights;
 Parliamentary Group on Population Development Roundtable;
 Development of an Australian Public Service (APS) Disability Toolkit;
 Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) 21st Century Housing Careers National
Study.
WWDA has provided regular advice, input and feedback to Government and industry on
telecommunications policy and service delivery through WWDA’s Telecommunications Working Group.
Through the Group, WWDA is represented on the Communications Alliance Disability Council (Deputy
Chair); the Telecommunications Disability Consumer Representatives Project Advisory Body (TEDICORE
PAB); and the Telstra Disability Forum. WWDA is also a member of the Internet Users’ Society of Australia
Special Interest Group on Accessibility; and the Communications Alliance Working Group 25 (CECRP) on
Standard S040:2001 Review. In the past year, the WWDA Telecommunications Working Group has provided
input to the development of:
 Industry Code ACIF C625:2005 Information on Accessibility Features for Telephone Equipment;
 Industry Guideline ACIF G586:2006 Disability Matters: Communications for People with Disabilities
and Older Australians;
 Proposed review of the Telecommunications Standard (AS/ACIF S040:2001).
Through its Telecommunications Working Group, WWDA has actively participated in a range of forums,
workshops and conferences, including:
 Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts (DCITA) - ‘Machinery of
Government Workshop’;
 Consumer Telecommunications Network - Broadband Accessibility forum;
 Deafness Forum Telecommunications Training;
 Communications Alliance Forum on Development of Single Consumer Code;
 TEDICORE Mobile ThinkTank;
 Consumer Telecommunications Network conference on Consumer Charter of Rights (panelist).
The WWDA Telecommunications Working Group also researched and wrote a Position Paper on
Communications over Internet Protocol development.
1.2. Sterilisation of Minors with Disabilities
Over the past year, WWDA’s major area of systemic advocacy has centred around the issue of sterilisation of
minors with disabilities. This work has focused specifically on the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General
(SCAG) proposal to develop draft national, uniform legislation which sets out the procedures that
jurisdictions could adopt in authorising the sterilisation of children who have an intellectual disability. In
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November 2006, the Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG), (the national ministerial council
made up of the Australian Attorney-General and the State and Territory Attorneys-General), released for
consultation with selected stakeholders, its draft Bill ‘Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of
Sterilisation) Bill 2006’.
In response to the draft Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006, WWDA
actively sought to re-iterate its long-standing recommendation to the Australian Government and the
Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) that:
the Federal Government develop universal legislation which prohibits sterilisation of children
except in those circumstances which amount to those that are a serious threat to health or life. In
the case of adults, WWDA also strongly recommends that sterilisation be prohibited in the
absence of the informed consent of the individual concerned, except in those circumstances
where there is a serious threat to health or life.
WWDA wrote formally to a wide range of stakeholders, both within and outside Australia, to not only raise
awareness of the development of the Draft Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill
2006 (and more broadly, the issue of sterilisation of minors), but also to seek endorsement and support of
WWDA's position on the issue.
As part of WWDA’s systemic advocacy campaign, WWDA developed, published and widely distributed a
Policy & Position Paper entitled: ‘The Development of Legislation to Authorise Procedures for the Sterilisation of
Children with Intellectual Disabilities'. The paper articulates WWDA’s position on the issue of the forced
sterilisation of minors, particularly in the context of the SCAG work on the development of uniform
legislation to authorise procedures for the sterilisation of children with an intellectual disability. This paper
raises a number of key issues that WWDA asserts must be thoroughly considered in this debate, including:
the application of human rights principles; pre-emptive assumptions; definitions, terminology and language;
the consideration of procedures and their consequences; and, compliance with international human rights
treaties (see www.wwda.org.au/polpapster07.htm).
WWDA received a large number of responses to our advocacy campaign, and these continue to come in to
the WWDA office. WWDA has been heartened by the level of support we have received for our position,
and our work, on this issue. WWDA's position has been supported by a number of organisations and
individuals, including for example the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In mid 2007, WWDA was advised by the SCAG Working Group that ‘a number of stakeholders have raised
important issues in relation to the draft model Bill which will require the Working Group to revisit certain key aspects
of the draft Bill’….and that the Working Group will be ‘doing further work to resolve the issues that stakeholders
raised’. WWDA is now awaiting further communication from SCAG regarding the ongoing consultation
processes related to the Draft Bill.
WWDA is continuing our systemic advocacy work in this area, and will continue to report progress to our
members through our monthly Update Reports.
All information relating to WWDA’s work in the area of Sterilisation is available on the WWDA website and
can be found at: www.wwda.org.au/sterilise.htm
1.3. Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities
WWDA’s systemic advocacy on the development of a UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, has been a major area of success for the organisation, and has demonstrated the effectiveness of
WWDA’s systemic advocacy work at both national and international levels.
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In 2001, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly agreed to a proposal for an international convention on
the rights of people with disability. Over the past six years, WWDA has actively participated in the
development of the Convention, now known as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD). One of the contentious areas of debate in the development of the Convention was the
issue of whether or not such a Convention should include a separate (Interpretive) Article on Women with
Disabilities. WWDA had consistently argued that any such Convention must contain a separate Article
dealing with women with disabilities. WWDA's position on the need for a separate Article dealing with
women with disabilities was finally supported by the Australian Government in 2006. The Australian
Government adopted the proposed article written by WWDA in our various Submissions on the
Convention, and put this forward to the UN at the Ad Hoc Committee meeting in early 2006.
On the 13th of December 2006, the UN General Assembly formally adopted the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities - ending decades of struggle for recognition of people with disabilities and their
rights as human rights. WWDA was delighted that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
contains a stand alone article on women with disabilities, drawing heavily the draft article written and
proposed by WWDA. The Convention also makes specific mention of gender throughout the other relevant
articles.
Following the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
on 13 December 2006, WWDA wrote to the Prime Minister, John Howard, urging the Australian
Government to show its leadership and commitment to Human Rights by being one of the early signatory
nations to the CRPD, which opened to all countries for signature on 30 March 2007. WWDA also wrote
formally to every politician in Australia urging them to support WWDA’s call for the Australian
Government to sign and ratify both the CRPD and its Optional Protocol (which allows the UN to receive and
consider communications from or on behalf of individuals or groups of individuals subject to its jurisdiction
who claim to be victims of a violation by that State Party of the provisions of the Convention). Australia was
one of the first member states to become a signatory to the Convention, although the Australian Government
has not yet indicated whether it intends to sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention.
Australia is now at the point of undertaking the process of ratification. This will involve a number of
processes, including a National Interest Analysis (NIA), which examines the foreseeable economic,
environmental, social and cultural effects of the Convention; the obligations imposed by the treaty; its direct
financial costs to Australia; how the treaty will be implemented domestically; and what consultation has
occurred in relation to the treaty. WWDA is continuing its systemic advocacy around the ratification process,
and in July 2007, wrote formally to the members of the Standing Committee of Attorney’s General (SCAG),
calling on SCAG to establish a timeframe for completing the necessary procedures to enable ratification of
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by December 2008.
Over the past 12 months, WWDA has also participated in a number of forums and workshops related to the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and has also widely distributed
educational materials and resources relating to the treaty making process.
1.4. Welfare to Work & Industrial Relations Reforms
WWDA has continued to advocate for changes to legislation introduced in 2005, namely the Work Place
Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 (introduced to Parliament on 2 November 2005 and passed on
14 December 2005), and the Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and
other Measures) Bill 2005 and the Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work) Bill
2005. These two pieces of legislation have made major changes to the industrial relations environment in
Australia. The have brought above changes which have impacted negatively on women with disabilities.
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Through its representation on the WomenSpeak network of women’s organisations, WWDA has been a part
of the ongoing What Women Want (WWW) movement which has sought to continue the work started in 2005
to investigate the impact of these twin pieces of legislation on women. WWW is an initiative of the 4
federally funded women’s secretariats and is coordinated by Security4Women. Auspiced by the National
Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW), the WWW undertook work in 2005 which enabled the
commissioning of the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling NATSEM) to investigate the likely
affects of the legislation. The two research reports produced modeling which predicted that women and
people with disabilities would be adversely affected in the workplace. Unfortunately these predictions have
proved to be true, with significant numbers of WWDA’s constituents contacting the organisation to report
on their difficulties in the workplace – in both finding and keeping in employment. The changes have
affected both those on Disability Support Pensions (long term and newly awarded) and those on the
NewStart allowance.
After the legislation was enacted, a second tranche of research was commissioned to follow up on the actual
impacts of the enacted legislation. WWDA was a contributor to the engagement of a consortium of
academics across a number of tertiary institutions, the Women in Social and Economic Research (WiSER)
which then undertook a benchmarking investigation. Their Women’s Economic Status Key Indicators (WESKI)
report summarised the tools currently available to researchers and government which enable the status of
women in the workplace to be monitored and measured. A number of recommendations were made for
collection of more meaningful data and routine disaggregation of existing data. This and further research
conducted in a series of Roundtable consultation forums held in a number of locations, revealed the
employment areas where women are most vulnerable to the affects of the Work Choices legislation –
retail/clerical, hospitality, aged care and childcare. WWDA participated by recruiting its constituents to take
part in this part of the research.
More in-depth research followed in which 121 women whose employment had been directly affected (either
positively or negatively) by Work Choices gave detailed interviews about their employment situation. The
women were deliberately chosen from the identified work areas named above. A number of women with
disabilities were included as subjects. The final report Women and Work Choices::Impacts on the Low Pay Sector
was launched in August. Early indication corroborate other industrial relations research which show a
widening pay gap between men and women in the low pay sector, lower earnings to those on Australian
Workplace Agreements compared to those on Collective Agreements, loss of conditions, reduced job
security, uncertainty in hours of work and vulnerability to summary dismissals. Both reports are available
on the NFAW website at www.nfaw.org.au. Anecdotal reports to WWDA indicate that women with
disabilities are under considerable stress, and that their chances for employment have not improved.
WWDA will continue to advocate in particular for changes to the Welfare to Work conditions which are
impacting adversely on its constituents.
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2.
Consultation, Representation and Networking
During 2006-07, WWDA has continued to consult with its members on a wide range of issues, including
Government policy initiatives such as welfare and industrial relations reforms; the development of a UN
Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; the Australian Governments reviews of national
disability policies and programs; telecommunications policy and services; domestic violence law reform.
WWDA has also undertaken extensive consultations with its constituents on issues of concern to WWDA
members, including: violence against women with disabilities; sterilisation of minors; leadership and
advocacy; motherhood & parenting; education, employment and income support, and more. WWDA has
performed its role as a two way conduit between the community and Government on social policy issues, as
required in WWDA’s funding contract with the Commonwealth Department of Families, Community
Services & Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA). The wwda-discuss email list and others listed below are used
extensively for consultation and dissemination of information. However, WWDA is mindful that the Digital
Divide operates to exclude large numbers of women with disabilities from access to the internet and
continues to mail hardcopies of its Update Bulletin to members who do not have internet access. In this way
it is able to reach both groups of constituents.
Over the past year, WWDA has actively sought out opportunities to establish and develop new collaborative
relationships in order to assist WWDA to achieve improved outcomes for women with disabilities. WWDA
has continued to expand its international networks and has built further on existing relationships at the
international level. WWDA has also established new, and strengthened existing, networks with a wide range
of agencies, organisations and groups throughout Australia, at national, State/Territory and local levels.
WWDA’s two major projects for the year, the development of a ‘Resource Manual on Violence Against Women
with Disabilities’ and the ‘Advancement through Advocacy for Women With Disabilities Project’ have provided the
impetus for WWDA to significantly enhance its profile and develop links and networks with a wide range of
organisations, groups and services at international, national, State/Territory and local levels. WWDA’s
systemic advocacy work in the area of sterilisation of minors has considerably increased the organisations
profile, particularly at the international level amongst human rights bodies and networks devoted to the
rights of the child. We have also witnessed an increased level of awareness of WWDA and its work from
Australia’s politicians at both Federal and State/Territory levels.
During the past year, WWDA has been (and continues to be) represented on a number of national,
State/Territory and local working parties, committees, advisory bodies, and other fora. WWDA has also been
represented at a number of one-off forums during the past year. Examples of WWDA representation for the
year are included in Appendix 1. WWDA is represented on a large number of electronic mailing lists and
discussion groups and routinely uses these lists to disseminate information.
WWDA has well established consultative mechanisms with its membership and other key stakeholders.
Examples include:
 WWDA Email Discussion List (wwda-discuss);
 WWDA Management Committee Email List (sp-wwda);
 Database and email distribution list of relevant international, national, State/Territory, regional and
local organisations and other stakeholders;
 Database and email distribution list of every politician in Australia;
 Database and email distribution list of relevant Federal, State/Territory Government agencies and
personnel within these agencies;
 Database of WWDA members who do not have email access;
 WWDA Representatives Register;
 WWDA Online Services Directory (see: www.wwda.org.au/portmain.htm);
 WWDA Online Human Rights Portal (see: www.wwda.org.au/unhrt.htm).
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2.1. Collaboration with National Women’s Organisations
WWDA has continued to work in close partnership this past year with the four federally funded national
women’s secretariat organisations: Australian Council of Women, Security for Women, the National Rural
Women’s Coalition and WomenSpeak. Over the past 12 months, WWDA has participated in a number of
events in its role as an affiliate organisation to the WomenSpeak Network (a network of national women’s
organisations which work together on issues of common concern and provide representative advice to the
government on policy issues as they affect women). WWDA delegates Sue Salthouse and Vicki
Alipasinopoulos participated in the Womenspeak national meetings during 2006-07. WWDA has
contributed to various initiatives of the national women’s secretariats throughout the year, including the
support for United Nations Gender Reforms; Paid Maternity Leave Campaign; CEDAW Shadow Report
processes; What Women Want Project. WWDA also conducted a Focus Group with women with disabilities
in the workforce, as part of the Security for Women ‘Talking About Work’ Project.
2.2. Collaboration with Organisations in the Disability Sector
WWDA has continued to work with the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) on a wide
range of issues affecting people with disabilities. AFDO was established as the primary national voice to
Government that represents the interests of people with disability across Australia. Its mission is to
champion the rights of people with disability in Australia and help them participate fully in Australian life.
WWDA is represented on the AFDO Board of Directors and has also provided delegates to represent AFDO
on various forums. WWDA has actively participated in the work of the AFDO and where relevant has
provided inclusion of issues relating to women with disabilities in the policy advice produced by AFDO.
Just some examples of WWDA’s participation include:
 Commonwealth/State/Territory Disability Agreement consultations;
 National Disability Advocacy Program Review consultations;
 Young People with Disabilities in Residential Aged Care consultations (WWDA is represented on
the Minister’s National Young People with Disabilities in Residential Aged Care Consultative
Committee);
 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Consultations;
 Welfare & Industrial Relations Reforms;
 What Makes Australia Fair? Consultations;
 Medicare Australia Consumer Communication Group (WWDA represents AFDO on this group);
 Museums Australia Access and Disability Sub-Committee (WWDA represents AFDO on this group);
 Assessment of Disability Sector Capacity;
 Review of Transport Standards;
 Social Security Amendment Bill consultations;
 Development of AFDO Communications Strategy;
 Development of AFDO Strategic & Business Plan.
2.3. Advancement through Advocacy for Women With Disabilities Project
In early 2006, WWDA received grant funding under the Office for
Women (Department of Families, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs) Women’s Development and Leadership
Programme, to undertake a year long project to improve the status of
women with disabilities through systemic advocacy. The Project
aimed to develop systems to recruit women with disabilities for
systemic advocacy work; develop tools to support them in their
representative/advocacy roles; and, develop systems to maintain
capacity building mechanisms for WWDA's representative work.
13
The project involved the identification of opportunities for representation of women with disabilities on
relevant committees, advisory bodies and other relevant fora at State, Territory and national levels. A
WWDA Representation Opportunities Database was produced, as well as a WWDA Representatives
Register. A range of tools to support women with disabilities in their representative and advocacy roles have
been developed as part of the Project, including a 'Guidelines for WWDA Representatives Manual';
WWDA/Representatives Agreement; and WWDA Representatives Report Templates.
As a result of the Project, WWDA now has a functioning Representatives Register, and is regularly sending
information about representative opportunities to register members. A number of women who have not
previously undertaken representative work for the organisation have been invited to do so. WWDA's
capacity to fulfill invitations to represent our constituents has been substantially increased.
The WWDA ‘Guide for Representatives’ Booklet which was developed and
produced as part of the Project, outlines the role and responsibilities of WWDA
representatives, and provides information about representation, including
common problems and solutions.
The Guide has been distributed to WWDA representatives, and is also now
available to WWDA members who are interested in undertaking representative
work for the organisation.
The final Report of the Project is now available from the WWDA website
(www.wwda.org.au/systemic.htm) in both Word and PDF formats.
2.4. Representation Meetings with Government
WWDA has participated in a number of meetings during the year with politicians and government
department representatives to raise issues of concern to women with disabilities in Australia, and to provide
feedback on Government policy initiatives as they affect women with disabilities. Examples include:
 Hon Julie Bishop – Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues;
 Ms Anna McEachern – Chief Adviser to Hon Julie Bishop;
 Senator Andrew Bartlett –Senator, Democrats;
 Senate Community Affairs References and Legislation Committee members;
 Ms Julia Burns – General Manager, Office for Women (FaCSIA);
 Senator Rachel Siewert – Senator, Australian Greens;
 ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Working Families;
 Disability & Carers Branch personnel – FaCSIA.
All WWDA research reports, submissions, policy papers, conference papers, articles, Bulletins etc are
routinely provided to every politician in Australia (via email) and to a wide range of targeted stakeholders,
both within Australia and overseas.
2.5. Networking with International Organisations
WWDA’s systemic advocacy work, particularly around the issues of sterilisation and violence against
women with disabilities, has increased the profile of the organisation and promoted the development of
networks with a wide range of international agencies, organisations and groups. WWDA’s work has
featured in a number of international organisations newsletters and on their websites, including for example:
Child Rights Information Network (CRIN); Disabled People’s International (DPI); Association for Women's
Rights in Development (AWID); Disability Rights Africa; Disability World; Mobility International. WWDA
has also received a number of letters and emails from international agencies and organisations commending
WWDA on its systemic advocacy work.
14
In August, WWDA contributed a written response to the International Civil Society Survey conducted by the
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This Survey was undertaken
by the OHCHR with a view to strengthening and improving the quality of the relationship between OHCHR
and persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. The OHCHR also positively responded
to WWDA’s campaign on sterilisation of minors, and formally encouraged WWDA in its work ‘defending
the rights of persons with disabilities’.
Over the past year, WWDA has continued its collaborative relationship with the Global Fund for Women
(GFW). The GFW is an international network which advocates for and defends women's human rights by
making grants to support women's groups around the world. WWDA received a 12 month grant from the
GFW in late 2006, to support the work of WWDA and assist in capacity building activities. WWDA
Executive Director (Carolyn Frohmader) is a member of the GFW Asia-Pacific Advisory Committee, and has
assisted in the assessment of a number of grant applications to the GFW during the year.
WWDA’s successful systemic advocacy work around the draft text of the UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities was also recognised and acknowledged by a number of international organisations,
including the Disabled Women’s Network in Canada and the Association for Women’s Rights in
Development (AWID). WWDA has a reciprocal membership arrangement with both these organisations and
in late 2006, WWDA’s work on the UN Convention was published in the AWID international newsletter.
3.
Community Information, Awareness Raising and Education
As the only national representative organisation for women with disabilities in Australia, WWDA has
worked diligently over the past year to improve the lives and life chances of women with disabilities by:
undertaking systemic advocacy; providing policy advice; undertaking research; and providing support,
information and education. WWDA has undertaken a large number of activities to promote the organisation,
raise awareness of the issues facing women with disabilities, and empower women with disabilities to work
together on common issues. This commitment to, and focus on empowerment, promotes the development of
personal identities, where women with disabilities are able to recognise the need for personal autonomy,
and importantly, develop a sense of personal worth. At the broader level, it enables the formation of a
collective identity, where women with disabilities are able to speak out about their experiences and take
action to collectively improve their lives.
3.1. Working to Prevent Violence Against Women With Disabilities
A great deal of WWDA’s work over the past year has focused on its national project on violence against
women with disabilities, funded under the Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Funding
Program (FaCSIA). Through its diverse and broad membership, WWDA identified an urgent need to
undertake the Project, which focused on the development and production of a Resource Manual on Violence
Against Women With Disabilities. The Manual has been developed to serve a wide range of users and includes
information targeted at disabled women; as well as students, policy makers, service providers, academics,
researchers and the broader community. It has been developed in alternative formats in order to ensure
accessibility for all women with disabilities.
WWDA completed the four Booklets to final draft stage prior to December 2006, however since that time
WWDA has worked closely with the Office for Women (Commonwealth Department of Family, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs) on finalising one of the Booklets (Forgotten Sisters – a global review of violence
against women with disabilities). This Booklet has been through the Department’s internal peer review, a
process which inevitably delayed completion of the Project. WWDA also had the Booklet reviewed by
15
academics from the University of New South Wales. The WWDA Resource Manual on Violence Against Women
With Disabilities received final approval from the Office for Women in late 2007. The Manual will be available
for distribution by end November 2007.
The WWDA Resource Manual on Violence Against Women With Disabilities is made up of a series of four
Booklets, and comes with an accompanying CD which includes audio formats, e-text, and large print PDF of
each volume. The four comprehensive booklets include:
 Narratives, poetry, and artwork from women with disabilities who have experienced violence
including strategies they used to break the cycle;
 A comprehensive global review of research on violence against women with disabilities, including
an annotated bibliography of resource materials worldwide;
 Information about violence against women with disabilities – for women with disabilities; service
providers; and the broader community;
 A guide to services and support at national, state/territory, regional and local levels;
 Information for women’s refuges and crisis services about how to develop accessible services and
programs.
During 2006-07, WWDA has continued its systemic advocacy work with State/Territory Governments
undertaking domestic violence law reform. WWDA’s work in this area has informed the Victorian Law
Reform Commission in its Review of Family Violence Laws Report (2006), which has recommended amongst
other things, that Victorian Family Violence Legislation should include a definition of family violence that
covers unpaid and paid carers of people with disabilities.
In early May, WWDA developed a Submission in response to the South Australian Domestic Violence Laws
Discussion and Options for Reform Paper. For the purposes of the submission, WWDA elected to concentrate on
addressing two main areas: the 'Definition of Relationship'; and the 'Definition of Domestic Violence', which
are critical in setting the scope of the legislation. WWDA’s Submission re-iterated the organisations position
that family/domestic violence legislation must incorporate a definition and description of 'family' and/or
'domestic relationship' which is sufficiently broad to cover the wide range of relationships disabled women
may experience, including for example formal and informal care relationships, and relationships which exist
between persons who are ordinarily members of a household. WWDA’s Submission also articulated the
need for any definition of 'domestic/family violence' to be inclusive of the forms of violence as experienced
by women with disabilities.
The full text of WWDA’s Submission is available at: www.wwda.org.au/sthaustviol07.htm
WWDA’s systemic advocacy work in relation to preventing violence against women with disabilities, was
the catalyst for the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse deciding to host and co-ordinate
a national forum on Domestic Violence, Disability and Cultural Safety. This forum is aimed at disability sector
and family violence service providers, researchers and policy makers who are interested in examining
community diversity and cultural safety from a perspective which includes the voices of women with
16
disabilities who have lived in abusive relationships. WWDA has worked with the organisers to promote a
human rights perspective to the Forum program, including a discussion on human rights and the obligations
of Government under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). WWDA
delegates will be presenting papers at the Forum in November 2007.
3.2. Promoting Awareness of Human Rights
In addition to work on the issues of violence, sterilisation, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities, WWDA has worked on several activities to promote community awareness of human
rights.
During 2007, WWDA worked to develop a Human Rights Portal for the WWDA website. The Portal contains
an extensive amount of information and resources on human rights, and WWDA intends to continually
expand and develop this section of the website. The Portal currently contains:
 The Charter of the United Nations and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
 The Core International Human Rights Instruments (Treaties) and the relevant Optional Protocols (in
both Word & PDF formats);
 Information on the Role and Function of the Treaty Monitoring Bodies;
 Over 130 Universal Human Rights Instruments (organised by category, and in both Word and PDF
formats);
 Disability Discrimination Laws by Country;
 Resource Materials & Publications in the areas of: Human Rights (General); Women with Disabilities
& Human Rights; Disability and Human Rights; and Women and Human Rights.
The Human Rights Portal can be accessed from WWDA’s website at: www.wwda.org.au/unhrt.htm
In 2007, WWDA contributed a Submission to the national Non-Government Organisations Shadow Report
on Australia’s Common Core Document. The Common Core document (submitted to the United Nations in July
2007) incorporates the Australian Government’s Fifth Report under the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Fourth Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The Common Core document Shadow Report is being prepared by the National
Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), along with a coalition of NGOs and is intended to give a
picture of the state of human rights in Australia. WWDA’s contribution focused specifically on the issue of
sterilisation of minors with an intellectual disability.
Over the past year WWDA has participated in a number of Forums and Workshops concerned with human
rights, including for example:
 National Seminar ‘Are Human Rights Enough?: Can human rights instruments deliver quality of life for
people with disability?’;
 Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Workshop ‘Engaging Civil Society’;
 Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Workshop ‘Promoting the Ratification and
Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia’.
WWDA has also continued to represent its constituency on the Federal Attorney General’s NGO Forum on
Domestic Human Rights.
3.3. Presentations & Delegations to Conferences
Although there are many conference opportunities which are of great interest to WWDA and where
advocacy opportunities are great, WWDA is restricted in participating due to lack of resources.
Unfortunately, WWDA’s operational funding does not extend to funding WWDA to present at Conferences,
17
particularly if there is travel involved. WWDA is therefore required to try to secure funds from other sources
for any Conference attendances and/or presentations.
During the past 12 months, WWDA has presented papers at a several national and State/Territory
Conferences and Forums, covering a range of issues, including: gender and disability; welfare reform; sexual
health; telecommunications and more. Examples include:
 Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) National Conference and National Member Meeting;
 YWCA National Conference 'Changin It, Lovin It: Young Women in Life, Career and Community' (Paper
presentation);
 National Cerebral Palsy Conference ‘Thinking Outside the Chair: Innovation, Creativity and Collaboration
– The Future of Disability Services’;
 Australian Reproductive Health Alliance National Conference (Paper presentation);
 National Civil Society Conference ‘What kind of Australia do we want?’ (Panelist);
 Women in Adult and VET Education (WAVE) National Conference ‘Women and VET: Changing
conditions of working lives in 21st Century Australia’ (Paper presentation);
 Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts (DCITA) ‘Machinery of
Government Conference’;
 National Disability Advocacy Program Conference.
3.4. Information Dissemination, Media & Publications
During the 2006-07 year, WWDA has continued to provide information to the community and raise
awareness of the issues facing women with disabilities.
WWDA has continued to produce its bi-monthly Update Bulletins which provide up to date information on
WWDA’s activities and include information on other initiatives relevant to the sector. The Update Bulletins
are also used by WWDA as a mechanism to disseminate information to its constituents and other interested
parties on relevant Government initiatives and activities. WWDA’s Update Bulletins are routinely provided
to every politician in Australia (via email) and are disseminated to a wide range of targeted stakeholders,
both within Australia and overseas. Hard copies are forwarded to WWDA’s funding body (FaCSIA), each
State/Territory Premier/Chief Minister; and to those WWDA members who do not have access to email.
WWDA Update Bulletins are made available on the WWDA website in both PDF and HTML formats (see
www.wwda.org.au/bulletin.htm).
WWDA has continued to maintain, develop and expand its online Information and Referral Directory for
Women With Disabilities. This Directory was developed by WWDA in 2005 with funding support from the
Commonwealth Office for Women. The Directory contains extensive and up to date listings of disability and
related services and organisations across a wide range of sectors. This includes, for example, detailed listings
of agencies, services, organisations and groups across issues such as: Advocacy; Alcohol and Drug Services;
Human Rights; Education & Employment; Health; Housing; Legal; Parenting; Reproduction; Sterilisation;
Violence and Abuse; and much much more. The Information and Referral Directory for Women With Disabilities
has been an outstanding success and has enabled WWDA to provide effective information, advice and
referral to women with disabilities, their associates and the broader community, in an efficient and effective
manner.
WWDA has had several articles published in both Australian and overseas publications, including for
example:
 Association for Women's Rights in Development Newsletter (UN Convention);
 LINK Magazine (Violence Against Women With Disabilities);
 FeMail Magazine (How Fair Is Work Choices?);
 Disability World Magazine;
 Women Tasmania Newsletter;
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Child Rights Information Network (CRIN);
ME/CFS Society Inc News;
ACTCOSS Magazine (2 articles Summer ’07 & Winter ’07 on Industrial Relations).
All WWDA research reports, submissions, policy papers, conference papers, articles, Bulletins etc are
routinely provided to a wide range of targeted stakeholders, both within Australia and overseas. WWDA
has continued to use its email discussion List (wwda-discuss) as a mechanism to distribute information to its
members and also makes use of a large number of email lists to which WWDA is subscribed.
3.5. WWDA Website
A substantial amount of work has been done in 2007 to update, enhance and further develop the WWDA
website. Developments have included:
 the establishment of an Online Human Rights Portal (www.wwda.org.au/unhrt.htm);
 further development of WWDA’s Online Information & Referral Directory
(www.wwda.org.au/portmain.htm);
 further development of section relating to key Australian Government disability policy, programs
and legislation (www.wwda.org.au/govtdis.htm);
 uploading of extensive amount of resource materials/publications in the areas of Human Rights
(general); Women with Disabilities and Human Rights; Disability and Human Rights; and Women
and Human Rights (www.wwda.org.au/unhrt.htm);
 further development of section ‘Poetry & Stories from Women With Disabilities’
(www.wwda.org.au/poems.htm);
The WWDA website contains extensive and up to date information on all aspects of the organisation,
including governance information. The section ‘About WWDA’ (www.wwda.org.au/about.htm) contains
detailed biographies and photos of the current members of the WWDA Management Committee.
The WWDA website usage data reflects an increase in the numbers of people accessing the website. For the
period October 2006 - September 2007 there were 502,931 hits. In the previous year (05-06) there were 379,781
hits. This shows an increase of more than 123,150 hits. Usage statistics for the WWDA website show that
users are accessing most of the WWDA website once they get to the site, and that users come from many
different countries throughout the world. Feedback to WWDA from users reflects the popularity and high
standard of the site.
3.6. Supporting International Groups
Over the past year, WWDA has witnessed an increase in the number of contacts and requests for assistance
coming from groups and organisations around the world. This is not surprising, given the increase in
WWDA’s international profile through our systemic advocacy work.
During 2007, WWDA worked in a mentoring role with the Palestinian Network of Women With Disabilities, an
emerging group of disabled women in Palestine. WWDA was able to provide practical assistance to the
Network, through for example, teaching the group how to write funding applications; developing a
Leadership Workshop program; sourcing funding opportunities for the Network; providing referee reports;
and providing complimentary copies of WWDA publications and organisational development materials.
WWDA has been able to provide copies of WWDA publications and resource materials to the following
organisations over the past year, and has also established reciprocal networking relationships with these
groups:
 Association of Disabled Females International (Liberia);
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
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4.
Heritage Bangladesh;
Association of Citizens for Aid to Mentally Retarded Persons of Canton Gorazde (Bosnia);
Kawempe Youth Association for Development (Uganda);
UK Disability Forum for European Affairs Women’s Committee;
Radar Disability Network (London);
Corporate Governance
During the past year, WWDA has continued to develop and improve its organisation policies and
procedures, and undertake capacity building initiatives to reflect the growth and changing needs of the
organisation.
In mid 2007, WWDA undertook a mid term review of it’s five year Strategic Plan 2004-2009. WWDA’s
Strategic Plan was developed in late 2003 following extensive consultation with members, associate
organisations, and other stakeholders. The Plan reflects WWDA’s commitment to promoting leadership
opportunities for women with disabilities, and to fostering the empowerment and participation of all
women with disabilities. The Strategic Plan is based on the social model of disability, which identifies the
barriers and restrictions facing women with disabilities as the focus of reform.
WWDA’s Review of the five year Strategic Plan was documented in the report ‘WWDA Strategic Plan Review
July 2007’. The report provides detail on WWDA’s progress to date in meeting the objectives and strategies
set out in the Plan, and indicates areas where WWDA needs to focus further work in order to achieve the
goals of the Strategic Plan. The progress review also provides information on themes and issues emerging
from WWDA’s membership during the term of the Strategic Plan to date, and highlights areas of ongoing
work that will need to be incorporated into the next Strategic Plan. The ‘WWDA Strategic Plan Review July
2007’ document was widely disseminated and has been made available on WWDA’s website in both Word
and PDF formats, and can be found at: www.wwda.org.au/stratplan.htm
In July 2006, WWDA phased out the system of payment of suppliers via cheque payment and introduced
internet banking facilities. Introducing this system of payment involved establishing a database of creditors
contact and bank details, amendments to the current payment system and audit checking procedures. This
system of payment, like the cheque payment facility requires the autorisation of two of the WWDA
signatories for any transactions processed using internet banking. The introduction of this new system has
not only streamlined WWDA’s financial systems but has reduced the human resource and ensured timely
payment of suppliers.
In September 2006 WWDA identified the need to establish Merchant Banking Facilities (Credit Card
payment system). Following an investigation into the charging and type of merchant facilities WWDA staff
requested that the Committee approve the establishment of a Commonwealth Bank of Australia VirtualPOS
Batch Authority Merchant Banking facility. This system of merchant banking involves the use of a computer
based batching facility programme. WWDA has introduced credit card payment forms which are distributed
with all membership renewal forms, invoices and publication sales. This system of payment has been well
received by all members and customers of WWDA.
In January 2007, WWDA commenced investigation into the feasibility of holding an annual national election
for new Management Committee Members. This process involved extensive consultation with state and
federal government departments, national and state organisations and members of WWDA. Following on
from the consultation period, electoral procedures were established and in August 2008 WWDA was
successful in holding its first National Election. The WWDA Electoral Procedures have been documented
and included in WWDA’s Procedure Manual.
20
In August 2007, WWDA commenced the development of a comprehensive formal policy and procedure
manual. The purpose of this manual is to support and promote efficient and effective management by
providing clear and consistent policies and procedures that are clearly understood by the staff and
Management Committee of WWDA. WWDA will continue to work on further development of the Manual in
the coming year.
WWDA has complied with all aspects and conditions of its funding contract with the Commonwealth
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA). In late 2007, WWDA
completed its end of financial year Outcomes Report to FaCSIA. WWDA’s contract with FaCSIA contains a
number of required deliverables under specified objectives. As part of the Contract requirements, WWDA is
required to produce an end of year report to FaCSIA which reports against these objectives. The report ‘Final
Project Report to the National Secretariat Program’ focuses on addressing the outcomes as detailed in WWDA’s
funding contract with FaCSIA for the period 2006-07. The Report was widely disseminated and is also
available from the WWDA Office on request.
WWDA has met its Constitutional requirements and the requirements under the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) Incorporations Act.
21
WWDA Management Committee 2006-2007
Annie Parkinson - President
Annie Parkinson, a long-standing member of WWDA, has over 30 years experience in activism in the
women’s movement, and the gay and lesbian rights movement. She was involved in the development of
the ground-breaking publication ‘I Always Wanted to be a Tapdancer’, a book of stories of women with
disabilities published in the late eighties. She has worked as a research assistant in the disability field, and
in the 1990s, co-founded an organisation called Access Plus, a group that addressed issues which
particularly affected queers with disabilities. She has been actively involved in the establishment and
management of several organisations, and has been a member of a number of management committees.
Annie has most recently joined the management committee of a small SAAP funded housing organisation
which offers short-to-medium term housing for women who have experienced sexual abuse.
Sue Salthouse – Vice President
Sue Salthouse has worked in the area of social justice since 1996, playing an active role in
systemic advocacy for women with disabilities. Sue runs her own Consultancy company which
specialises in a range of work in the disability sector – social research, government and non
government policy advisor, conference facilitation, project development and management, TAFE
teaching, and individual advocacy. Sue is a research and policy consultant to WWDA, coordinator
of WWDA’s Telecommunications Working Group, and WWDA spokesperson on Industrial
Relations and Employment. She has also undertaken a number of research and advocacy projects
for WWDA covering a wide range of issues of concern to disabled women. Sue is a representative
for WWDA and as a WWDA-affiliate, for the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations,
on a wide range of Advisory Groups. She regularly presents papers for WWDA at Conferences
and other forums. Sue also convenes Women With Disabilities ACT (a WWDA-affiliate
organisation).
Helen Meekosha
Helen Meekosha is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, University of New South
Wales, Australia. She worked as a community development worker for 17 years in the UK and
Australia prior to her appointment at UNSW. Her research interests cross boundaries of race,
ethnicity, disability and gender. In 1996 she was instrumental in establishing The Social Relations
of Disability Research Network, a group of interdisciplinary scholars interested in Disability
Studies. Later she went on to be a founding member of the Disability Studies and Research
Institute (DsaRI). Helen has written and spoken extensively, from a feminist and a disability
perspective on citizenship, human rights, social movements, the media and the body,
communications and multiculturalism. Active in the disability movement for 20 years, she has
been involved with Women with Disabilities Australia since it inception over a decade ago and as
President in 2001 accepted the Australian Human Rights Award in the community category. She is
an Overseas Consultative Editor of Disability and Society, on the JORSEN International Advisory,
a member of the International Advisory Editorial Board of the Encyclopaedia of Disability 2006
(Sage), and an editor of Volume 4. In June 2005 she was the Noted Scholar in feminist disability
studies at the University of British Columbia.
22
Pamela Menere - Treasurer
Pamela lives in Corryong in North East Victoria and has been involved with WWDA for many years,
having held positions of Secretary and Treasurer of the Management Committee. Pamela has been
involved with several advocacy and disability related groups including the Victorian Women with
Disabilities Network, Towong Shire Community Access Committee and the Hume Region DHS
Disability Advisory Committee. She is also actively involved with numerous other community
organisations in her local area. Pamela has worked in part time paid employment as an outreach
employment counsellor with a disability employment agency.
Kate List
Kate has a keen interest in disability policy and is an enthusiastic campaigner for the rights of women
with disabilities. Kate has worked as a Policy & Research Officer for WWDA and has also worked in
disability policy with the Commonwealth Government. As a qualified scientist, Kate has also worked
at the Australian Museum and taught at the Australian Defence Force. Kate has undertaken a number
of representative roles on behalf of WWDA including being the WWDA rep on the Board of the
Australian Disability Studies and Research Institute (DSARI).
Josephine Dixon
Jo Dixon has a keen interest in human rights, disability and gender issues. She is currently undertaking
a Bachelor of Laws Degree at Latrobe University in Victoria. Jo is very active in student advocacy
within the University, and is the current Disability Liaison Officer where she actively promotes the
needs and rights of students with disabilities. She is also the student representative on the La Trobe
University Disability Advisory Committee. Jo is an active community volunteer and has undertaken
voluntary work in the areas of asylum seekers and refugees; aboriginal legal aid; youth support
services and domestic violence support services.
Vicki Alipasinopoulos - Secretary
Vicki Alipasinopoulos has been a member of WWDA since 1999. Vicki’s background is in social
work and she also holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. Vicki has been an
active member of the disability sector and attended the first Leadership and Mentoring Workshop run
by WWDA in 1999. Vicki currently serves on a number of committees in the disability sector,
including the Management Committees of the Disability Resources Centre and Blind Citizens
Australia. Vicki is also currently serving on a consumer feedback committee as part of the newly
formed blindness agency, Vision Australia. This Committee provides feedback to staff to the Training,
Technology and Employment team in Victoria. Vicki participates in voluntary work at various
agencies where she provides counselling to clients who have an intellectual/psychiatric illness. Other
voluntary work involves providing emergency relief, information, referral, advocacy and support.
23
Sheila King
Sheila King has a long history of advocacy for people with disabilities. She is the Secretary and
founding member of Access For All Alliance, a volunteer community group established to ensure
equitable and dignified access to all premises and facilities whether public or private, to all members
of the community. In November 2003 Sheila received an Annual Peer Award from the Physical
Disability Council of Australia for her efforts in addressing the issue of access to health professionals
across Australia. This took the form of a study into the lack of adjustable height examination beds in
doctor’s surgeries throughout Australia. Sheila serves on a number of Committees and undertakes a
wide range of representative work in the disability sector.
Margie Charlesworth
Margie has a keen interest in issues of mental health. She has been a volunteer
systemic advocate since 1996 and has contributed to a number of community based
disability organisations, including the Physical Disability Council of South
Australia and Disability Action (SA). Margie has also held the position of
Secretary for the WWDA Management Committee. Margie has undertaken a
Bachelor of Social Science, at Adelaide University, majoring in Gender Studies
and Politics. In 2005 Margie stepped down from the WWDA Management
Committee to go to Canada to complete her studies, and re-joined the Committee
on her return in 2007.
WWDA Staff
Carolyn Frohmader
Executive Director
Angela Court
Business Manager
24
Steele Burnett & Nelson
14th September 2007
Women With Disabilities (Australia)
PO Box 605
Rosny Park TAS 7018
Our Ref: WOME0001
Dear Angela & Carolyn,
AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE 2007
We have completed the audit for Women With Disabilities (Australia) and now enclose three copies
of the financial statements. Please arrange to have these signed where indicated. One copy needs to
be returned to our office and one needs to be lodged with the Corporate Affairs Office.
During the course of the audit, there were a few changes that were made to your financials. These
included:
 Like last year, we updated your depreciation schedule and recorded the appropriate
depreciation expense journal.
Should you wish to discuss any matters further please do not hesitate to give me a call.
Yours faithfully
Prue Barden
Level 3, 6 Bayfield Street
Rosny Park, 7018
P.O. Box 28, Rosny Park, 7018
Tasmania, Australia
Telephone: +61 3 6244 5044
Facsimile: +61 3 6244 7319
Web: www.accru.com
Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers
Sydney + Melbourne + Brisbane
Perth + Adelaide + Hobart + Auckland
Accru Steele Burnett & Nelson ABN 36 009 552 694 is an autonomous and separately accountable member of Accru and CPA Associates
International Inc
25
WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES (AUSTRALIA) INC
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2007
1.
Profit & Loss Statement
2.
Balance Sheet
3.
Committee’s Statement
4.
Auditors Report
26
Women With Disabilities Australia Inc
PO Box 605
Rosny Park TAS 7018
Profit & Loss [With Last Year]
July 2006 through June 2007
This Year
Last Year
Donations
1,923.00
995.18
Interest Received
5,447.27
4,172.12
10,573.43
5,954.50
Miscellaneous Income
0.00
0.00
Reimbursed Expenses
12,508.61
5,033.97
500.00
0.00
30,952.31
16,155.77
19,654.09
0.00
0.00
0.00
2,500.00
22,500.00
16,000.00
49,863.64
0.00
2,000.00
126,787.00
126,245.00
9,605.00
13,008.18
174,546.09
213,616.82
Publication Sales
467.10
790.36
Total Income from Sales
467.10
790.36
19.68
0.00
205,985.18
230,562.95
0.00
0.00
15,597.01
5,470.11
1,537.50
2,675.00
700.00
650.00
30.00
55.00
323.76
318.25
0.00
22.73
Income
General Income
Memberships
Sitting Fees
Total General Income
Grants Received
Grant – Global Fund for Women
Grant – OSW Info & Ref Portal
OFW-06
OFW Violence
Reichstein
Grants - OOD
Grant – Telecom Consumer Rep
Total Grants Received
Income from Sales
Postage Reimbursed
Total Income
Expenses
Administration Expenses
Interpreter
Administration Costs
Accountancy
Audit Fees
Registrar General Fees
Bank Charges & Govt Taxes
Bad Debts
27
Consultancy
18,440.00
18,885.90
Depreciation
3,043.00
4,147.00
Donations
500.00
3,000.00
Electricity
1,312.18
1,008.77
Insurance
3,466.08
3,648.29
Office Supplies
3,189.16
2,802.76
Postage & Freight
4,278.63
3,286.25
Printing
1,074.50
6,501.72
Publications Design
7,988.27
1,950.00
Rental Costs
6,257.10
5,575.00
0.00
717.49
1,860.00
2,466.09
318.18
663.64
99.95
494.41
1,095.00
980.00
Staff Welfare
0.00
0.00
Subscriptions
951.50
161.00
Membership Fees
0.00
562.49
Sundry Expenses
567.01
711.13
Accommodation, Meals etc
3,340.55
1,513.29
Taxi
1,770.53
1,545.49
Travel
2,970.46
2,201.06
Total Travel Expenses
8,081.54
5,259.84
80,710.37
72,012.87
Internet
1,048.47
1,074.54
Telephone
3,616.86
3,763.90
Teleconferences
2,016.72
1,559.99
6,682.05
6,398.43
Leave Provision
-454.31
-2,705.01
Superannuation
9,864.72
8,024.11
110,807.00
89,156.49
235.95
1,002.80
120,453.36
95,478.39
Repairs to Office Equipment
Sitting Fee
Conference Registrations
Software
Computer Technical Support
Travel Expenses
Total Administration Expenses
Telephone & Faxes
Total Telephone & Faxes
Employees Expenses
Wages & Salaries
Workers Compensation
Total Employee Expenses
28
Project Expenses
Purchase of Equipment - Computers
Purchase of Equipment - Other
Total Project Expenses
0.00
386.17
390.41
0.00
390.41
386.17
223.67
1,115.95
223.67
1,115.95
208,459.86
175,391.81
-2,474.68
55,171.14
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.76
0.00
6.76
-2,474.68
55,164.38
Publications
Publications In
Total Publications
Total Expenses
Operating Profit
Other Income
Other Expenses
Interest Charged
Total Other Expenses
Net Profit / (Loss)
29
Women With Disabilities Australia Inc
PO Box 605
Rosny Park TAS 7018
Balance Sheet [Last Year Analysis]
June 2007
Assets
Current Assets
Cash On Hand
NEW OOD Account
5,833.34
7,600.19
NEW Membership Account
72,636.03
66,158.49
Cash Management – Annual Leave
31,764.62
31,815.53
Cash Management – Savings
65,533.26
60,585.80
111.55
55.45
Total Cash On Hand
175,878.80
166,215.46
Total Current Assets
175,878.80
166,215.46
Accounts Receivable
3,500.00
16,298.00
35,097.21
35,097.21
-26,821.00
-23,778.00
Total Furniture & Equipment
8,276.21
11,319.21
Total Fixed Assets
8,276.21
11,319.21
187,655.01
193,832.67
Accounts Payable
838.79
5,076.74
Accrued Expenditure
230.00
230.00
0.00
379.50
1,068.79
5,686.24
8,059.29
3,121.96
Prov for Annual Leave
31,361.22
31,815.53
Superannuation Payable
1,831.79
555.66
FBT-Deduction-A Court
0.28
0.28
-0.11
0.00
41,252.47
35,493.43
Petty Cash
Fixed Assets
Furniture & Equipment
Furniture & Equipment At Cost
Less Furn & Equip Accum Deprec
Total Assets
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
CBA Credit Card
Total Current Liabilities
Payroll Liabilities
PAYG Tax Payable
FBT-Deduction-C Frohmader
Total Payroll Liabilities
30
GST Liability
GST Collected from Sales
GST Paid on Purchases
Total GST Liability
Total Liabilities
Net Assets
4,992.70
11,009.01
-1,105.93
-2,277.67
3,886.77
8,731.34
46,208.03
49,911.01
141,446.98
143,921.66
143,921.66
88,757.28
-2,474.68
55,164.38
141,446.98
143,921.66
Equity
Members Equity
Retained Earnings
Current Year Earnings
Total Equity
31
32
INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
To the members of Women With Disabilities (Australia) Inc.
Scope
We have audited the attached special purpose financial report, comprising Profit and Loss statement and
Balance sheet, of the Women With Disabilities (Australia) Inc for the year ended 30 June 2007. The
Association’s Committee of Management is responsible for the financial report and has determined that the
accounting policies used are consistent with the financial reporting requirements of the Association’s
constitution and are appropriate to meet the needs of the members. We have conducted an independent audit
of the financial report in order to express an opinion on it to the members of Women With Disabilities
(Australia) Inc. No opinion is expressed as to whether the accounting policies used are appropriate to the
needs of the members.
The financial report has been prepared for distribution to members for the purpose of fulfilling the
Committee of Management's financial reporting requirements under the Association’s constitution. We
disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this report or on the financial report to which it
relates to any person other than the members, or for any purpose other than that for which it was prepared.
Our audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our procedures included
examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial report.
These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion whether, in all material respects, the financial
report is presented fairly in accordance with the policies adopted by the association. Accounting Standards
and other professional reporting requirements (UIG Consensus Views) are not applicable to the accounting
adopted by the Women With Disabilities (Australia) Inc.
The audit opinion expressed in the report has been formed on the above basis.
Qualification
As is common for organisations of this type, it is not practicable for Women With Disabilities (Australia)
Inc. to maintain an effective system of internal control over donations, subscriptions and other fund raising
activities until their initial entry into the accounting records. Accordingly, our audit in relation to donations,
subscriptions and other fund raising activities was limited to amounts recorded.
Qualified Audit Opinion
In our opinion, except for the effects of such adjustments, if any, as might have been determined to be
necessary had the limitation discussed in the qualification paragraph not existed, the financial report presents
fairly in accordance with the basis of accounting, as described above, the financial position of Women With
Disabilities (Australia) Inc. for the year ended 30th June 2007 and the results of its operations for the year
then ended.
ACCRU+ Steele Burnett & Nelson Services Pty Ltd
Derek W Steele
Registered Company Auditor
Dated: 14th September 2007
Level 3, 6 Bayfield Street, Rosny Park TAS
33
Federal Department of Family and Community Services
Audit Certificate
Program Funding Recipient: Women With Disabilities (Australia) Incorporated
Type of Funding: National Disability Secretariat Program
Statement of Income and Expenditure for the period: 01/07/2006 to 30/06/2007
I have audited the financial statements of the organisation for the period indicated and provided answers to the
following questions. Where a "No" answer is given I am providing an accompanying note to the certificate.
1.
I have read the Conditions of Program Funding under which payments have been made
to the organisation by the Department of Families, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs for the audited period.
Yes
2.
I am satisfied that all payments made to the organisation by the Department of
Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in, or for, the audited period
were spent for the agreed purpose(s) or, if not yet fully spent, have been accounted for
in the audited financial statements.
Yes
3.
I am satisfied that the organisations observed all Condition of Program Funding
relating to the organisations audited financial statements.
Yes
4.
There were no other matters of a material nature that came to my attention, other than
those noted in my audit report.
Yes
Name of Engagement Partner:
Derek Steele
Signature of Engagement Partner:
Name of Audit Firm:
Address:
Telephone No:
Fax No:
Date:
Steele Burnett & Nelson
Po Box 28 Rosny Park TAS 7018
(03) 6244 5044
(03) 62447319
14th September 2007
34
Appendix 1: WWDA Representation 2006-2007
ACOSS National Congress and National Member meeting;
Attorney Generals’ NGO Forum on Domestic Human Rights;
Australian Disability and Development Consortium Launch;
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) Board of Directors;
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) Member meetings;
Australian Reproductive Health Alliance National Conference;
Centrelink Disability Customer Service Reference Group;
Commonwealth/State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) Sustainability Focus Groups;
Communications Alliance Consumer Council;
Communications Alliance Disability Council;
Communications Alliance Forum on Development of Single Consumer Code;
Communications Alliance Working Group 25 (CECRP) on Standard S040:2001 Review;
Consumer Telecommunications Network - Broadband Accessibility Forum;
Consumer Telecommunications Network Conference on Consumer Charter of Rights;
Deafness Forum Telecommunications Training;
Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts (DCITA) - ‘Machinery of Government
Workshop’;
Global Fund For Women (USA) Advisory Board;
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities Signing Ceremony;
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Workshop ‘Engaging Civil Society’;
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Workshop ‘Promoting the Ratification and
Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia’;
Internet Users’ Society of Australia Special Interest Group on Accessibility;
Jesuit Social Services & Catholic Social Services Australia - Launch of ‘Falling off the Edge: the distribution of
disadvantage in Australia’;
Medicare Australia Access Card Briefing;
Medicare Australia Consumer Communication Group;
Minister’s National Young People with Disabilities in Residential Aged Care Consultative Committee);
Museums Australia Access and Disability Sub-Committee
National Cerebral Palsy Conference ‘Thinking Outside the Chair: Innovation, Creativity and Collaboration – The
Future of Disability Services’;
National Civil Society Conference ‘What kind of Australia do we want?’;
National Disability Advocacy Program Conference;
National Disability Advocacy Program Review Consultations;
National Rural Women’s Coalition ‘Violence Forum’;
Parliamentary Group on Population Development;
People With Disability Australia National Seminar ‘Are Human Rights Enough?: Can human rights instruments
deliver quality of life for people with disability?’;
South Australian Domestic Violence Law Reform Forum;
South Australian Premier’s Council for Women Forum;
TEDICORE Mobile ThinkTank;
Telecommunications Disability Consumer Representatives Project Advisory Body (TEDICORE PAB);
Telstra Disability Forum;
Women in Adult and VET Education (WAVE) National Conference ‘Women and VET: Changing conditions of
working lives in 21st Century Australia’;
Womenspeak Network Meetings;
YWCA National Conference 'Changin It, Lovin It: Young Women in Life, Career and Community'.
35
Appendix 2: Examples of Feedback Received
2006 - 2007
Dear WWDA,
I would like to congratulate you on your input in the UN deliberations on the Rights of people with
disabilities ensuring that you made it have gender considerations. Indeed your contributions are a gift to
women with disabilities all over the world. On my own behalf, the African continent and Kenya I salute you.
Organisations like yours serve as role models for the rest of us.
Yours sincerely
Salome Muigai
11 September 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear WWDA,
I have found a gold mine...........and it is your website. I have been reading through some of the articles and
poems posted by women. They are wonderful! There is such a wealth of information on your website….
Julie Halton
2 August, 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear WWDA,
Congratulations on your impressive achievements. Full praise for your clear, systematic and exhaustive
strategic plan review. Best wishes for the future.
Diane B. Alley
National Convener
UNAA Status of Women Network
28 July 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello WWDA,
Thank you for the comprehensive report, you do a great job keeping us informed and acting on our behalf, I
for one certainly appreciate all the work you do.
Cheers
Jo-An M Partridge
29 May 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear WWDA,
As always I need to write and commend you on your superior work of your organisation The WWDA
Strategic Plan is real and brilliant………one of the best that I have seen. Well done.
Yours in solidarity
Donna Justo
Director, Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc.
23 July 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
36
Dear WWDA,
You are doing some great work for women with disabilities and I am thrilled to read about it…
Regards
Margaret Sargent
29 May 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear WWDA,
Greetings from the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU). I would like to
acknowledge receipt of your Update Bulletins and thank you for sharing with NUWODU your information.
Regards,
Guzu Beatrice,
Executive Secretary
National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda
31 May 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear WWDA,
It has been great exposure to read your reports and specially the plan for five years. You are doing
wonderful work to promote rights and status of women with disabilities in Australia.
Asif Kaleem
Program coordinator
Society for Disabled Women Pakistan
23 July 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear WWDA
Thanks muchly for all the work WWDA does for us.
Warmly,
Laine
4 October 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Frohmader,
Thank you for the copy of the 2005-2006 Annual Report of Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA). I
commend you on your work and look forward to being kept informed of WWDA’s activities….
Yours sincerely,
Will Hodgman MHA
Leader of the Opposition (Tas)
22 March 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Frohmader,
Thank you for forwarding a copy of the Women With Disabilities Australia‘s Annual Report 2005-2006 to the
Premier. It is pleasing to read of the developments achieved at Women With Disabilities Australia such as;
the development and streamlining of databases, input and submissions to areas of national policy, feedback
on telecommunications policy and service delivery. The Premier commends the good work that Women
With Disabilities Australia is doing.
Yours sincerely,
David Miler
Deputy Chief of Staff
Department of Premier & Cabinet (Vic)
8 March 2007
37
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Frohmader,
Thank you for your Annual Report, keep up the wonderful work.
Dawn Fardell MP
Member for Dubbo
27 February 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello WWDA,
The WWDA website is a great website for women with disabilities. I have told my friends with Parkinson’s
about your site and they were very interested. Keep up the good work.
Yours truly,
Cherie Wells
22 May 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Frohmader,
The publication (Update Bulletin) has been perused with interest and your organisation is commended on its
endeavours to keep the community informed about issues and new initiatives to assist women with
disabilities.
Yours sincerely,
Rita Saffioti
Chief of Staff
Premier of Western Australia
10 April 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Frohmader,
Thank you for your recent correspondence to the Premier enclosing a copy of the 05-06 Annual Report. The
Premier appreciates being kept up to date on the important work organisations such as WWDA undertake in
the community. May I take this opportunity to wish you, your staff and volunteers continued success in
2007.
Yours sincerely,
Emma Lawson
Policy Adviser
Premier of South Australia
6 March 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Parkinson,
Thank you for your recent letter and information regarding the troubling issue of the sterilisation of children
with intellectual disabilities. Rest assured that I am supportive of your position and views on this issue. I
agree that it is disturbing that there is no universal legislation prohibiting this practice. I also agree that we
as a nation must respect the fundamental human rights of all Australians, regardless of their physical or
intellectual standing. I would like to thank you for all the work that you and your organisation have done to
bring attention to this issue. It is unfortunate that such pressing issues often go unnoticed in our community,
and it is through organisations such as Women With Disabilities Australia that they are given the attention
they deserve. Again, thank you for all of your hard work and know that I share your concerns over this
disconcerting matter. If there is anything I can do for you now, or in the future, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
Yours sincerely
Dr Brendan Nelson MP
Federal Member for Bradfield
December 2006
38
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Frohmader,
Thank you for your copy of the WWDA Update Report for May/June 06. I commend WWDA for making this
comprehensive report available to policy makers Australia-wide. This is such an important resource for the
Office for Women…
Yours sincerely,
Sandra Nori MP
Minister for Women (NSW)
25 July 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Sue Salthouse,
WWDA is to be commended for the great advocacy work it's doing for women with disabilities.
Yours sincerely
Rachel Siewert
29 November 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Parkinson,
Congratulations on your great work on upholding the rights of women with disabilities…..
Regards and Best Wishes,
Dr Graham Jacobs MLA
Member for Roe (WA)
13 December 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Parkinson,
Thank you for your recent letter and for forwarding the responses you have received from UNICEF
regarding the concerns you have raised. As Shadow Minister for Disability Services, I appreciate the
continued efforts of your organisation to keep me updated on your issues and providing feedback on
matters impacting on women with disabilities.
Yours sincerely,
Jann Stuckey MP
Member for Currumbin
9 February 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
39