About National Disability Services Ltd

Constitution Strategic Directions Annual Report

Board of Directors National Office Personnel

ABN 52 008 445 485

promoting the development
of quality services and life opportunities
for Australians with disabilities

About National Disability Services

NDS is the national industry association for disability services, representing over 600 not-for-profit organisations. Collectively, our members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. NDS’s members range in size from small support groups to large multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia.

Purpose

NDS’s purpose is twofold:

to increase the capacity of its members to operate efficient and effective services – and assist members to meet relevant industry and government standards - through the provision of information and advice, networking opportunities and access to corporate support;
to influence governments at both state/territory and federal levels to provide a policy environment that is responsive to the needs of people with disability and their service providers.

NDS National office and NDS States report quarterly on accomplishments across seven key result areas. The report highlights activities and actions undertaken on behalf of members within the disability service sector. The Strategic Directions report can be viewed by clicking here.

Structure

NDS has a National Secretariat in Canberra and offices in every state and territory. The National Secretariat allows for co-ordination of the respective state and territory bodies at a federal level, while the latter focus on state issues surrounding disability. The organisation as a whole is governed by a national Board which includes the elected Chair from each state/territory, as well as representatives elected directly by members.

Origins

Recently being renamed from ACROD, NDS traces it routes back for more than 60 years.

In 1945, 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 1960’s, 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 voluntary sector to address the government with a united voice when lobbying on disability issues.

The Australian Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled subsequently shortened its title to ACROD, before being recently rebirthed as National Disability Services (NDS) in 2007.

The move to NDS was made to better reflect the nature of the organisation today, as it represents and provides services to a broad spectrum of non-government, non-profit groups assisting people with all manner of disabilities nationwide.

Membership Benefits

Information

Given the complex challenges confronting the disability sector, up-to-date information is an essential resource for service managers. NDS's members receive a flow of timely information and analysis regarding not only government policies, programs and funding contracts, but also service delivery and management issues such as governance, risk, quality assurance and fund raising. This information is delivered to members via our publications, state forums, national conferences and issues-based committees and networks.

Policy influence

NDS provides a robust and independent voice to governments - Federal, State and Territory - on behalf of disability service providers. NDS is represented on numerous groups and committees that advise the Australian Government and state/territory governments on matters pertaining to disability. The positions NDS puts to governments are based on consultation with members, as well as being supported by research and argument. Through NDS, members have an opportunity to influence government policy.

Networking

NDS provides members with opportunities to meet each other, exchange information and, if they wish, form mentoring relationships or business partnerships. NDS networks foster service improvement.

Corporate Relationships

NDS has established corporate relationships which offer exclusive member benefits. These are continually being developed in the interests of our members and the services which they provide.

Membership Categories

National Disability Services has two categories of membership: Organisational and Life.

Organisational Membership is for not-for-profit organisations in the disability field.

Life members are individuals elected by a general meeting of NDS.

Subscriber Categories

National Disability Services has two categories of subscribers: Organisational Associate and Individual/Pensioner

Associate is for for-profit and government organisations with an interest in disability issues.

Individual/Pensioner is for individuals with an interest in disability issues. However, it is not available to members or staff of organisations eligible to be Organisational members of NDS, but who have not taken up such membership.

Find out more

Are you interested in Membership of NDS or becoming a subscriber? Click here for an Information Kit.

Constitution By-Laws Annual Report