Overview of PDCN

The Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation and the peak representative organisation for people with physical disability in New South Wales. PDCN assists people with a physical disability to live ordinary lives as contributing members of the community by providing opportunities for individuals to gain the information, knowledge, and skills necessary to manage their own lives.

Our purpose is to build empowered, inclusive communities through information and education; engagement and participation; and by developing individual capacity and resilience.

Primary Purpose - Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP)

The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) is a group of people who use their experience of physical disability to advocate for meaningful change on behalf of the physical disability community. The LEAP will consist of six meetings, totalling 12 hours, per financial year. The duration of each meeting is around 1.5 hours with time allocated for pre-reading before each meeting. Meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams.

The LEAP meets to share information, provide expertise and shape priorities through:

• Sharing advice and information to be used as evidence base to support the work of the Systemic Advocacy team in advocating for change
• Co-designing and evaluating PDCN’s submissions, peer support programs and disability inclusion advisory activities.
• Reviewing and advising on Local Councils Disability Inclusion and Action Plans.
• Representing and participating in PDCN’s social events, campaigns, advisory groups and high-level meetings where requested.
• Assist the organisation to effectively engage with other people with physical disability (ie for focus groups).

Core Duties

• Provide information and expertise on issues of relevance to each member’s specific disability and cohort/community.
• Provide constructive and evaluative feedback on advocacy projects based on your lived experience of disability.
• Support the objectives of the organisation and its associated projects and initiatives.
• Work in a supportive, respectful, and collaborative manner with PDCN staff and other LEAP members.
• Remain composed, calm and respectful while discussing sensitive or personal information in challenging or conflicting situations.

• Present advice and information to different audiences while maintaining a professional demeanour and keeping in line with the PDCN briefing.
• Provide a point of view, information or evidence that will persuade difficult stakeholders to invest in accessibility and inclusion.

Essential Criteria

• Lived experience of physical disability or experience as a carer for a young person (under 16 years) with physical disability.

• Prepared to attend quarterly meetings (online via Teams) per year and assist on an ad hoc basis throughout the year at social events, campaigns, advisory groups and high-level meetings.

• The ability to communicate advice and guidance clearly either verbally, written or using assistive technology or interpreters.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team, while having the confidence to express ideas, opinions, and thoughts (in a respectful manner).
• Competent use of communication technology such as email, zoom meetings and teams’ meetings.
• Actively comply with PDCN policies including Work Health and Safety, Staff Grievances, Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace, Complaints and Social Media.
• Commitment to helping PDCN to enhance accessibility, disability inclusion and social justice.
• Current NSW Police Check (or willingness to get one).

Desirable

• Experience working or volunteering in the disability advocacy sector, disability service sector or as an active member of the disability community.
• An understanding of the social rights-based model of disability – or willingness to learn.

• Ability and willingness to travel to social events, campaigns, advisory groups and high-level meetings if/when required.

• Applications from people living in regional and remote areas of NSW, people from First Nations communities, people from LGBTQIA+ groups, and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups are highly desirable.