Inclusion of people with disabilities on the boards of not-for-profit disability service providers

This report describes the progress of the ‘Across the Board’ project, which has the goal that disability service providers should include two or more directors with disabilities. The report discusses inclusion and diversity in the board rooms of the 75 largest not-for-profit disability service providers in Australia. 

The report considers the lived experience of leaders with disability seeking board appointments, and common themes of barriers to inclusion and participation in the boardroom. A comprehensive inclusive governance literature review in Australian and international historical contexts is included.

Key findings

• Just over a fifth of the providers have two or more leaders with disabilities currently serving on their board of directors.
• Five leaders with disability were appointed to the role of chair and six individuals were Paralympians.
• All of the boards that included leaders with disabilities reported positive outcomes for the board and organisation following their appointments.