About Diversity and Disability Alliance
Who we are:
Diversity and Disability Alliance is a user led disability support organisation, run by and for people with disability from diverse backgrounds with the support of families and allies. We assist people to live the lives they choose. We are an independent, collective voice committed to diversity and full inclusion.
What we want to achieve:
Diversity and Disability Alliance strives for an inclusive, diverse and just society where people with disability have voice, choice and control over our lives.
What we do:
Maximise the knowledge, skills and capacity of people with disability, their families and allies from diverse backgrounds build the capacity of all communities to include people with disability share our collective lived experiences
We believe that each person with disability has the right to: genuine voice, choice and control of their lives genuine and meaningful inclusion in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the communities they choose to belong to have a collective voice which promotes our common experiences and recognises and values the diversity of our communities to live in line with the principles and articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Meet the Diversity and Disability Alliance Board
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Diana Qian (President)
Diana is a leading practitioner specialising in the interface between disability and diversity. She acquired a physical disability in China and came to Australia with her family when she was thirteen. Diana is passionate about making full inclusion a reality for people with disability from diverse backgrounds. She has more than 20 years’ experience working in the disability sector and has developed extensive expertise in strategic policy and research, cultural competence, service design and delivery, training, organisational and project management. She has been the main driver of a number of successful government projects targeting diverse communities.
Diana has held leadership roles in the government and non-government sectors, including the Executive Officer, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, Executive Director, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW and Senior Policy Officer at the Disability Council NSW, the official advisor to NSW Government on disability. She is currently working as Plan Manager supporting people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Diana holds a degree in Applied Science from University of Western Sydney, an Honours degree in Social Science from University of Technology, Sydney, and a Masters in Public Administration from University of Sydney.
Diana is a leading practitioner specialising in the interface between disability and diversity. She acquired a physical disability in China and came to Australia with her family when she was thirteen. Diana is passionate about making full inclusion a reality for people with disability from diverse backgrounds. She has more than 20 years’ experience working in the disability sector and has developed extensive expertise in strategic policy and research, cultural competence, service design and delivery, training, organisational and project management. She has been the main driver of a number of successful government projects targeting diverse communities.
Diana has held leadership roles in the government and non-government sectors, including the Executive Officer, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, Executive Director, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW and Senior Policy Officer at the Disability Council NSW, the official advisor to NSW Government on disability. She is currently working as Plan Manager supporting people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Diana holds a degree in Applied Science from University of Western Sydney, an Honours degree in Social Science from University of Technology, Sydney, and a Masters in Public Administration from University of Sydney.
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Anita Budwee (Vice president)
Anita has worked in a range of disability-related policy and project roles in state and federal government agencies. Anita looks forward to a society where people with disability are empowered to exercise their rights and live life the way they choose to live it. She is motivated by her twin brothers who have a disability to make this society a reality.
Anita currently works as a Manager at a boutique social policy consultancy where she translates her personal and professional experience in disability into effective and holistic design, implementation and evaluation of social policies on behalf of government clients. Previous roles include Adviser to the Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission and Policy Officer at the Disability Council NSW.
Anita has a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Social Inquiry) from the University of Technology Sydney.
Anita has worked in a range of disability-related policy and project roles in state and federal government agencies. Anita looks forward to a society where people with disability are empowered to exercise their rights and live life the way they choose to live it. She is motivated by her twin brothers who have a disability to make this society a reality.
Anita currently works as a Manager at a boutique social policy consultancy where she translates her personal and professional experience in disability into effective and holistic design, implementation and evaluation of social policies on behalf of government clients. Previous roles include Adviser to the Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission and Policy Officer at the Disability Council NSW.
Anita has a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Social Inquiry) from the University of Technology Sydney.
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Abrahim Darouiche (Treasurer)
Abrahim is passionate about helping the community become more accessible for people with disabilities. Abrahim was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder at the age of 5 and when his leg muscles became weaker he began to use a powered wheelchair at the age of 15.
From 2011- 2017 Abrahim has worked in several organisations mainly in administration. He has recently become an ambassador for Ability Links NSW and uses this role in promoting inclusion for people with disabilities and from the CALD community. Since 2017 he has attended all the training which DDA have offered: Introduction to Peer Support, Peer Facilitation and Peer Mentoring. This led him to do more work with Diversity and Disability Alliance as a co researcher for the evaluation team and as a co-facilitator in DDA training.
Abrahim has a number of qualifications, including the Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Accounting) and the Master of Business and Commerce from Western Sydney University, Diploma of Leadership and Management from Evocca College and a Certificate IV in Customer Engagement from Managed Corporate Outcomes Pty Ltd.
Abrahim is a member of the alumni group for Western Sydney University and Wheelchair Sports NSW. He is also a member of two peer support groups, the Liverpool Peer Support Group and the Blacktown Peer Support Group.’
Abrahim is passionate about helping the community become more accessible for people with disabilities. Abrahim was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder at the age of 5 and when his leg muscles became weaker he began to use a powered wheelchair at the age of 15.
From 2011- 2017 Abrahim has worked in several organisations mainly in administration. He has recently become an ambassador for Ability Links NSW and uses this role in promoting inclusion for people with disabilities and from the CALD community. Since 2017 he has attended all the training which DDA have offered: Introduction to Peer Support, Peer Facilitation and Peer Mentoring. This led him to do more work with Diversity and Disability Alliance as a co researcher for the evaluation team and as a co-facilitator in DDA training.
Abrahim has a number of qualifications, including the Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Accounting) and the Master of Business and Commerce from Western Sydney University, Diploma of Leadership and Management from Evocca College and a Certificate IV in Customer Engagement from Managed Corporate Outcomes Pty Ltd.
Abrahim is a member of the alumni group for Western Sydney University and Wheelchair Sports NSW. He is also a member of two peer support groups, the Liverpool Peer Support Group and the Blacktown Peer Support Group.’
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Julie Duong (Secretary)
Julie looks towards a society where people with disabilities are empowered to live the lives they choose to and has a deep passion for helping individuals and organisations reach an inclusive society.
This is why she is co-founder of Empowering Solutions, a disability consultancy run by people with disability. Julie’s work history includes projects of diversity and inclusion at the University of New South Wales, the Reserve Bank of Australia and is currently at the City of Sydney as Diversity & Inclusion Officer driving the City’s Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan.
Julie has extensive experience in building individual capacity through creating and sustaining peer led support communities for people with disability, focusing on the CALD community.
Julie has a Bachelor of Psychology from WSU and a Master of Commerce (Human Resource Management) from UNSW, and sits on the board for Disability and Diversity Alliance amongst several other advisory panels.
Julie looks towards a society where people with disabilities are empowered to live the lives they choose to and has a deep passion for helping individuals and organisations reach an inclusive society.
This is why she is co-founder of Empowering Solutions, a disability consultancy run by people with disability. Julie’s work history includes projects of diversity and inclusion at the University of New South Wales, the Reserve Bank of Australia and is currently at the City of Sydney as Diversity & Inclusion Officer driving the City’s Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan.
Julie has extensive experience in building individual capacity through creating and sustaining peer led support communities for people with disability, focusing on the CALD community.
Julie has a Bachelor of Psychology from WSU and a Master of Commerce (Human Resource Management) from UNSW, and sits on the board for Disability and Diversity Alliance amongst several other advisory panels.
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Sozan Georgees
Sozan is passionate about bringing peers together, and promoting inclusion, equality and meaningful opportunities for people with disability from CALD backgrounds. She was born in Iraq and has an Assyrian background.
At DDAlliance, Sozan helped establish and is a facilitator of the Eastern Suburbs Peer Café. By bringing people together, she sees the potential for peers to share experiences, look out for one another and find solutions, help navigate service systems, and connect with their goals and passions.
Sozan was an ambassador with Ability Links NSW where she promoted the inclusion of people with disability from the CALD community. She has presented at workshops about the NDIS, and featured in two videos about mental health and carers of people with disability. In Bayside Council, as part of International Women’s Day, Sozan featured on a panel exploring the power of women and community, where she shared her experience of being an Assyrian refugee and disability advocate. She’s also spoken on Assyrian radio, raising awareness around the importance for people with disability to have meaningful and equal opportunities in employment and other aspects of life.
Being a recent board member, Sozan looks forward to learning more and contributing to the DDAlliance team into the future.
Sozan is passionate about bringing peers together, and promoting inclusion, equality and meaningful opportunities for people with disability from CALD backgrounds. She was born in Iraq and has an Assyrian background.
At DDAlliance, Sozan helped establish and is a facilitator of the Eastern Suburbs Peer Café. By bringing people together, she sees the potential for peers to share experiences, look out for one another and find solutions, help navigate service systems, and connect with their goals and passions.
Sozan was an ambassador with Ability Links NSW where she promoted the inclusion of people with disability from the CALD community. She has presented at workshops about the NDIS, and featured in two videos about mental health and carers of people with disability. In Bayside Council, as part of International Women’s Day, Sozan featured on a panel exploring the power of women and community, where she shared her experience of being an Assyrian refugee and disability advocate. She’s also spoken on Assyrian radio, raising awareness around the importance for people with disability to have meaningful and equal opportunities in employment and other aspects of life.
Being a recent board member, Sozan looks forward to learning more and contributing to the DDAlliance team into the future.
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Pauline David
Born in Australia to parents from Assyrian background who migrated from Iraq, Pauline who is a person with physical disability, has experienced cultural, structural and systemic barriers throughout her life, which has fueled her passion to work in the disability space.
As an advocate, facilitator and peer mentor, Pauline continuously challenges perceptions, attitudes and stigmas to help improve community access and promote independence for people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
Pauline has extensive experience in providing advice to local councils on the implementation of Disability Inclusion Action Plans; ensuring real change for people with disability within their communities.
As a peer facilitator, Pauline facilitates discussions on issues such as the NDIS, accessible events, living independently, accessible transport and advocating for yourself. As a peer mentor, Pauline supports peers to be empowered to live the life they choose under their own terms.
Born in Australia to parents from Assyrian background who migrated from Iraq, Pauline who is a person with physical disability, has experienced cultural, structural and systemic barriers throughout her life, which has fueled her passion to work in the disability space.
As an advocate, facilitator and peer mentor, Pauline continuously challenges perceptions, attitudes and stigmas to help improve community access and promote independence for people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
Pauline has extensive experience in providing advice to local councils on the implementation of Disability Inclusion Action Plans; ensuring real change for people with disability within their communities.
As a peer facilitator, Pauline facilitates discussions on issues such as the NDIS, accessible events, living independently, accessible transport and advocating for yourself. As a peer mentor, Pauline supports peers to be empowered to live the life they choose under their own terms.
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Yaz Camdzic
Yaz’s passion for social justice, disability and carer rights stems from his own experience with disability and that of his parents. Yaz has received a NSW Local Carers Award for his efforts to care for and advocate on behalf of his migrant parents since the age of 17.
Yaz graduated from the University of Sydney, with majors in Sociology and Anthropology. During his time at University, Yaz has been widely involved in the development of Sydney University’s Disability Action Plan (DAP), where he served for three years as a member of the DAP Consultative Committee and two years on the DAP Senior Executive Group Committee.
From 2012-2015 Yaz served as Disabilities and Carers Officer at the Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney.
Yaz’s passion for social justice, disability and carer rights stems from his own experience with disability and that of his parents. Yaz has received a NSW Local Carers Award for his efforts to care for and advocate on behalf of his migrant parents since the age of 17.
Yaz graduated from the University of Sydney, with majors in Sociology and Anthropology. During his time at University, Yaz has been widely involved in the development of Sydney University’s Disability Action Plan (DAP), where he served for three years as a member of the DAP Consultative Committee and two years on the DAP Senior Executive Group Committee.
From 2012-2015 Yaz served as Disabilities and Carers Officer at the Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney.
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Quang Nguyen
uang from south-West Sydney and enjoys playing sports, fishing, designing car technology and reading. He lives with cerebral palsy and verbally communicates by using his phone and computer's text-to-speech function.
One of Quang’s passions is accessible transport for people with disability. He wants to change the perceptions and attitudes of the community so that they can understand how powerful accessible transport is for the disability community. Quang has experienced his own problems with non-accessible transport. He likes to share these experiences and how he overcame them to his peers in the disability community.
Quang is also a Living Life My Way Champion. Living Life My Way presents an opportunity for people with disability in NSW to exercise more flexibility, more choice and control over the support they receive in advance of full transition to the NDIS in 2018. He is proud to be a Champion and enjoys meeting new people and advocating for people with disability through his role.
uang from south-West Sydney and enjoys playing sports, fishing, designing car technology and reading. He lives with cerebral palsy and verbally communicates by using his phone and computer's text-to-speech function.
One of Quang’s passions is accessible transport for people with disability. He wants to change the perceptions and attitudes of the community so that they can understand how powerful accessible transport is for the disability community. Quang has experienced his own problems with non-accessible transport. He likes to share these experiences and how he overcame them to his peers in the disability community.
Quang is also a Living Life My Way Champion. Living Life My Way presents an opportunity for people with disability in NSW to exercise more flexibility, more choice and control over the support they receive in advance of full transition to the NDIS in 2018. He is proud to be a Champion and enjoys meeting new people and advocating for people with disability through his role.
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Thushara Halnethilage
Thushara over 10 years of experience in research, policy, and program management roles in community mental health and psychosocial projects (supported refugees) delivered in international development programs. In his work, he contributed in establishing a consumers-led mental health advocacy group and designing their activities targeted communities in Sri Lanka.
Following this experience and his current work, he is passionate to work with people with disability and people with mental illness from CALD communities to advocate just and inclusive society for them in Australia.
Thushara is currently working as Community Project Officer - Older People at Penrith City Council. He previously worked as
Multicultural Sector Development Officer at Advance Diversity Services, Rockdale, NSW. He also served as one of members in Disability Advisory Committee in Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.
Thushara has a Master of Policy and Social Applied Research from Macquarie University, Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychosocial Work from University of Colombo, and a BA in Social Sciences from University of Colombo.
Thushara over 10 years of experience in research, policy, and program management roles in community mental health and psychosocial projects (supported refugees) delivered in international development programs. In his work, he contributed in establishing a consumers-led mental health advocacy group and designing their activities targeted communities in Sri Lanka.
Following this experience and his current work, he is passionate to work with people with disability and people with mental illness from CALD communities to advocate just and inclusive society for them in Australia.
Thushara is currently working as Community Project Officer - Older People at Penrith City Council. He previously worked as
Multicultural Sector Development Officer at Advance Diversity Services, Rockdale, NSW. He also served as one of members in Disability Advisory Committee in Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.
Thushara has a Master of Policy and Social Applied Research from Macquarie University, Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychosocial Work from University of Colombo, and a BA in Social Sciences from University of Colombo.
Our Advisors
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Dinesh Wadiwel
Dr Dinesh Wadiwel is Director of the Master of Human Rights, University of Sydney and lectures in human rights and social justice. He currently is co-convenor of the Disability Rights Research Collaboration, a new University of Sydney network aimed at linking researchers with Disabled People's Organisations.
He has previously taught in sociology and politics at the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of Notre Dame Australia. Dinesh has 15 years experience working within the non-government sector.
Between 2002 and 2007 he was employed as Senior Policy Officer at the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) and was a previous Executive Officer of National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA), the national peak organization representing people from Non English Speaking Backgrounds with disability. Dinesh was also employed as a Senior Policy Officer at the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) in 2011.
Dinesh has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), majoring in Politics and Philosophy from Macquarie University and earned a PhD from the University of Western Sydney in 2006.
Dr Dinesh Wadiwel is Director of the Master of Human Rights, University of Sydney and lectures in human rights and social justice. He currently is co-convenor of the Disability Rights Research Collaboration, a new University of Sydney network aimed at linking researchers with Disabled People's Organisations.
He has previously taught in sociology and politics at the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of Notre Dame Australia. Dinesh has 15 years experience working within the non-government sector.
Between 2002 and 2007 he was employed as Senior Policy Officer at the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) and was a previous Executive Officer of National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA), the national peak organization representing people from Non English Speaking Backgrounds with disability. Dinesh was also employed as a Senior Policy Officer at the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) in 2011.
Dinesh has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), majoring in Politics and Philosophy from Macquarie University and earned a PhD from the University of Western Sydney in 2006.
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Patrick Harris
Dr Patrick Harris (PhD, MPH, Ba Hons) is a senior researcher working at Sydney University. Patrick has 12 years of working across sectors in NSW and across Australia to improve equity.
Prior to becoming a public health researcher from 2002-2005 he worked as a project officer for the NSW Transcultural Aged Care Service, policy officer for ageing and disability at the Ethnic Council of NSW Inc. and developed a guide to culturally competent disability services for the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW.
He is passionate about social justice issues and is recognised internationally for his applied research to improve decision making about equity issues. He earned his PhD from the University of NSW in 2013.
Dr Patrick Harris (PhD, MPH, Ba Hons) is a senior researcher working at Sydney University. Patrick has 12 years of working across sectors in NSW and across Australia to improve equity.
Prior to becoming a public health researcher from 2002-2005 he worked as a project officer for the NSW Transcultural Aged Care Service, policy officer for ageing and disability at the Ethnic Council of NSW Inc. and developed a guide to culturally competent disability services for the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW.
He is passionate about social justice issues and is recognised internationally for his applied research to improve decision making about equity issues. He earned his PhD from the University of NSW in 2013.
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Reg Raghaven
Reg is a founding Director, Program of Red Elephant Projects, an organisation pioneering in multicultural and Asian diaspora engagement programs through sport, music and the arts. As the Director of Programs, Reg has directly managed a range of programs from small community based initiatives to a large, multi-stakeholder $40 million Government project.
Reg has a special interest in entrepreneurial models of social service delivery, diaspora experiences, civilisational value systems, sport and music. His insight is through the lens of the Australian Indian diaspora, and through the study of a north east Asia language (Japanese).
His academic background covers the disciplines of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development, Social Entrepreneurship, Information Technology, Japanese and Project Management
Reg is a founding Director, Program of Red Elephant Projects, an organisation pioneering in multicultural and Asian diaspora engagement programs through sport, music and the arts. As the Director of Programs, Reg has directly managed a range of programs from small community based initiatives to a large, multi-stakeholder $40 million Government project.
Reg has a special interest in entrepreneurial models of social service delivery, diaspora experiences, civilisational value systems, sport and music. His insight is through the lens of the Australian Indian diaspora, and through the study of a north east Asia language (Japanese).
His academic background covers the disciplines of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development, Social Entrepreneurship, Information Technology, Japanese and Project Management
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Sylvana Mahmic
Sylvana's interest in disability began 22 years ago, when her first child Abdul-Karim was diagnosed with a disability. Seeking to understand what lay ahead for her son, she completed post graduate study in special education and is currently the CEO of Pathways Early Childhood Intervention. She has developed several initiatives which target the wider community, in particular the culturally and linguistically diverse community. She is currently a doctoral candidate researching individualised support and self-directed funding.
Sylvana is an advocate for people with disability and their families and has served on over 15 reference and advisory groups in addition to five Ministerial appointments. She is currently the Vice President of Early Childhood Intervention Australia NSW Chapter and immediate past President. In 2013, she was appointed to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Independent Advisory Group.
Since 2009 Sylvana, her son and the extended family have been learning about how to use a self-managed package using individualised funding and she uses these experiences to shine a light on the potential of this approach for people with disability and their families.
Sylvana's interest in disability began 22 years ago, when her first child Abdul-Karim was diagnosed with a disability. Seeking to understand what lay ahead for her son, she completed post graduate study in special education and is currently the CEO of Pathways Early Childhood Intervention. She has developed several initiatives which target the wider community, in particular the culturally and linguistically diverse community. She is currently a doctoral candidate researching individualised support and self-directed funding.
Sylvana is an advocate for people with disability and their families and has served on over 15 reference and advisory groups in addition to five Ministerial appointments. She is currently the Vice President of Early Childhood Intervention Australia NSW Chapter and immediate past President. In 2013, she was appointed to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Independent Advisory Group.
Since 2009 Sylvana, her son and the extended family have been learning about how to use a self-managed package using individualised funding and she uses these experiences to shine a light on the potential of this approach for people with disability and their families.