About NDS
About National Disability Services
National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's peak body for disability service organisations, representing more than 1000 service providers. Collectively, NDS members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability.
History
NDS traces its roots back to 1945, when the Australian Advisory Council for the Physically Handicapped was formed in response to the need for national co-ordination of the respective state and territory bodies. By the beginning of the 1960s, it was recognised that disability service providers had many common interests, regardless of what particular group they served. As a result, the Australian Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled was established in 1963. This more inclusive body allowed the volunteer sector to address the government with a united voice when lobbying on disability issues.
Board and structure
NDS has offices in every state and territory. Our CEO is Laurie Leigh.
NDS is governed by a national board which includes the elected chair from each state and territory, as well as representatives elected directly by members. The current board President is Rohan Braddy, CEO of Gateways Support Services.
Read more about our board and structure
Membership
National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's leading peak body for disability service organisations. We work with Australian disability service providers to develop capability, be informed, voice their needs and collaborate to build high-quality and sustainable disability services for people with disability.
Being a member of NDS has many benefits. We partner with our members to help navigate challenging times, drive innovation and support our members to deliver high quality and sustainable services to people with a disability. We support members to bring about change and explore ways to improve the sector.
At NDS we believe that the strength of disability service providers is enhanced by a shared voice, collaboration, learning and mutual experiences - we are stronger when we work together.