Side By Side Advocacy is a not-for-profit organisation based in Parramatta
About Side By Side Advocacy
Side By Side Advocacy is a not for profit advocacy organisation based in Parramatta.
We specialise in advocacy for people with intellectual disability.
We provide advocacy in a way that suits the needs of the person with disability. This could be through Citizen Advocacy, Individual Advocacy, or NDIS Appeals Support.
We respond to requests for advocacy assistance and also seek out people with disability who have unmet needs.
We are committed to inclusive governance. We are researching ways that people with intellectual disability can be more meaningfully included as members of management committees and boards.
We provide information and share relevant resources.
We speak up about issues that matter to people with disability.
Our vision
A world where all people are equal and valued, where diversity is celebrated, needs are fulfilled, and opportunities realised.
Our purpose
To promote and uphold the rights, needs and interests of people with disability to enable full and meaningful participation in the community.
We recognise that people with intellectual disability experience particular barriers in having their voices heard and needs met and for that reason we specialise in providing advocacy for people with intellectual disability.
Our values
The following values guide our work.
Inclusive: We embrace diversity and treat everyone with dignity and respect
Accountable:Â We are transparent and ethical in all we do
Tenacious: We act with vigour and a determination to achieve the best results
Our core principles
1. Each person’s life is of equal and inherent value and worth.
2. People with disability have the right to advocacy and to protection from devaluation, neglect, abuse and the denial of human rights.
3. People with disability have the right to be treated as individuals, and not in terms of their disability.
4. All people are entitled to comprehensive and appropriate support to ensure full inclusion into the community.
5. All people have the right to make decisions about their own lives.
6. All people should be treated with dignity and respect.
7. All people have the right to be safe, valued and accepted.
8. All people have the potential to grow and develop and should be provided with opportunities.
9. All people have the same human and legal rights regardless of age, race, disability, religious belief, sex, sexuality and gender identity.
10. People with disability are to be treated in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Our people
Chairperson
Michelle Donelly
Michelle Donelly had the honour of working with John Roarty  OA – a pioneering disability activist and author of Captives of Care- as a founding member of Citizen Advocacy Ryde Hunters Hill (before the organisation became Side By Side Advocacy). She has been actively involved in the organisation for over thirty years. Michelle is committed to full and effective participation of people with disability as demonstrated by her roles as a foundation board member of Family Advocacy, her former role as a Board member NSW CID and her role as a Citizen Advocate. She has a personal, academic and professional commitment to the co-creation of a more socially just and inclusive community. Michelle is Adjunct Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University. She has also been involved in research on topics including Circles of Support; Inclusive Governance; the experience of families in rural areas navigating the NDIS,  the income equity of people with disability and factors influencing the participation of Aboriginal people in disability services.
Vice Chairperson
Ben Pilipowski
Ben has been passionate about addressing societal inequality and injustice since he was in his early teens. He has a degree in social work and has experience as a youth worker and in the aged care and mental health sectors. Ben became a member of Side By Side Advocacy before he joined the organisation’s Board. As a member, Ben co-designed and co-presented at workshops on behalf of Side By Side Advocacy. Ben enjoys being able to share and use his own stories as a person with an intellectual disability to help others to be more confident and to grow as self-advocates. Ben’s interests include bush walks, playing summer sports, creative writing, and speaking up about topics such as disability and mental health. Ben joined the Side By Side Advocacy Board in July 2023.
Secretary
Faz Hares
Faz is a proven stakeholder engagement expert, who builds and maintains seamless collaborations. In her professional life, Faz has enjoyed a dynamic seven-year background in talent acquisition. Faz navigates the entire recruitment lifecycle across agency and internal recruitment settings. Her strategic recruitment prowess is highlighted by successful strategies attracting top-tier talent, showcasing a nuanced understanding of diverse industry needs. In a parallel narrative, Faz’s journey took a profound turn during a pivotal placement for her human services degree, sparking a deeper connection to the field. Drawn by inspiration, she joined Side By Side Advocacy’s Board after a transformative five-week placement, committing to making a difference for people with disabilities facing daily barriers.
Treasurer
Toni Ng
With over 15 years of experience across the not-for-profit sector, property and real estate, financial services, and the energy sector, Toni is a member of the Chartered Accountant ANZ with an extensive range of corporate and commercial skills. These include reporting, budgeting and forecasting, business partnering, commercial insight and people management. Toni grew up in Epping and Eastwood and is passionate about volunteering her time to the local communities and assisting the community in the capacity of a Justice of the Peace. Toni was elected to the Board in 2022.
Member
Moitri Pal
Moitri Pal is an experienced Information Technology Portfolio Manager at a leading transport energy provider in Australia where she leads enterprise-wide technology initiatives and ensure strategic alignment between digital investments and business priorities. With an MBA from AGSM – UNSW Business School and certifications including Portfolio Management Practitioner and PRINCE2, Moitri brings strong strategic, governance, and delivery expertise to complex program environments. She is known for a collaborative, and outcomes-focused leadership style.
Moitri Pal joined the Side By Side Advocacy board because she believes that society should be a fair and inclusive place for people with disability.
Member
Nivi Subramaniyan
Nivi is a former Speech Pathologist with more than eight years of experience across the disability and healthcare sectors. She is deeply committed to supporting people with disability to achieve their goals and to creating systems that enable fair, inclusive access. With a strong background in operational management, systems and process optimisation, and people leadership, Nivi now works in healthcare leadership where she applies her expertise to improve service quality and client outcomes. Her passion for dismantling barriers to access is both professional and personal, shaped by her work in disability and her own father’s experiences navigating the healthcare system. She brings empathy, strategic thinking, and a relentless drive for better, more equitable services. Â
Member
Stephen MacDonald
Steve is originally from the UK and has lived and worked in Australia since 2004. He has twenty years’ experience in various IT roles, including technical support, training and project management. Steve’s association with Side By Side Advocacy began in February 2008, when he answered a request for pro bono IT support. Steve first joined the Board in 2014. From 2014 -2017, Steve served as vice chairperson. Steve left Sydney in 2017 so did not renominate. Now settled back in Sydney, Steve re-joined the Board in May 2020. Steve is the devoted father of a daughter who attends primary school.
Member
Vicki Winfield
Vicki Winfield is a community leader whose work is deeply shaped by her lived experience of Marfan Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that caused her to be legally blind until the age of sixteen and continues to have a daily impact on her life. Having navigated disability and discrimination first-hand, she is committed to strengthening disability rights through collective action and inclusive leadership.
Vicki brings experience across accessible governance, communications, fundraising and advocacy, with a strong record of driving cultural change. She has influenced major organisational initiatives and pioneered executive storytelling programs that elevate the voices of people with disabilities. Her leadership includes serving for 4 years as Co-Chair of the Disability at Work Network, supporting a community of over 360 members at the University of Sydney. She now serves as the Chair Emeritus and mentors network leaders of Employee Reference Groups across the country. She is passionate about building strong, representative networks of people with disabilities and contributing her governance and community expertise to Side by Side Advocacy.
Executive Officer
Kim Roots
Executive Officer
Kim joined Side By Side Advocacy in July 2020. She brings a wealth of experience in not for profit, commercial and government contexts. This includes a long history in the advocacy sector, leadership development and as a lawyer. Kim has been a member of numerous advisory groups, has contributed to sector journals, participated on Boards and has provided feedback to government about matters that impact on the lives of people with disability. Kim has extensive experience in co-design of projects and resources. Kim believes that good communities are made up of all people and that advocacy can play a critical role in exposing abuse and neglect and in ensuring that people with disability have access to the ordinary good things in life.
Citizen Advocacy Coordinator
Lil Paterson
Citizen Advocacy Coordinator
Lil Paterson began at Side By Side Advocacy in March 2024. Their professional experience spans the arts, education and not-for-profit sectors. This broad background has enabled Lil to establish strong, diverse networks. Whilst working in the disability education sector and collaborating with people with intellectual disability, Lil has gained a deep understanding of accessible communication and co-design. Lil is also a self-advocate and filmmaker. They are passionate about developing projects that centre the voices of people with disability and the LGBTQIA+ community. Their work has been selected for Australian and international film festivals. Lil holds a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney and a filmmaking diploma from the Australian Film Television and Radio School.
Community for Everyone Project
Jeff Lai
Peer Trainer
Jeff is a self-advocate who has held roles on advisory groups, as a workshop presenter and as a co-designer of resources. Jeff believes everyone should be treated equally. He speaks up about issues that matter.
Advocacy
Andrew Boerma
Advocate
Andrew has more than 10 years’ experience working in the community and disability sector. He is passionate about social justice, human rights and celebrating our diversity.
He started his career by supporting people to advocate for their rights at work. After studying a Masters of Social Work, he worked as part of the Ability Links program to promote access and inclusion in our community and to support people with disability to build sustainable skills and connections. He worked as a Local Area Coordinator and then an Advocate, before working in Participation and Project Support with an organisation led by and for people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In the latter, he supported the Board and organisation to be inclusive, and peer workers to lead projects relating to peer support in metro and regional areas.
Andrew brings with him a variety of professional skills, perspectives and networks. He has a determination to support people with disability to have choice and control over their lives, their rights upheld, and to experience just outcomes and meaningful roles in our society.
Advocate
David Briggs
Advocate
David is a dedicated advocate with over 10 years of experience in the advocacy sector. He has actively contributed to systemic change, working tirelessly to ensure that the voices of people with disability are heard and respected. David has been an integral part of various government advisory groups and committees, including the NSW Disability Inclusion Act Implementation Committee and his local Council’s Disability Access Committee. David has also: played a crucial role in supporting individuals with intellectual to be members of the NDIA Intellectual Independent Advisory Council’s Intellectual Disability Reference Group; lobbied ministers and members of parliament (including the Prime Minister); been part of campaigns that led to major policy changes in the NDIS. He has supported people with intellectual disability to safely share their stories with the media and supported people to give evidence to the Disability Royal Commission and Parliamentary Inquiries. With a strong passion for the human rights of people with intellectual disability and a commitment to trauma-informed practice, David brings invaluable experience in navigating complex systems and driving meaningful change. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science (Social Welfare) and a postgraduate degree in Social Policy and Human Services.
Advocacy
Kriti Thapa
Advocacy and Office Coordinator
Kriti has a strong passion for fairness and inclusion. She believes everyone has the right to make their own choices and be treated with respect. She is always ready to speak up for what is right – often powered by good cup of coffee. Kriti enjoys helping people build confidence and make themselves heard. She brings experience working with people with disability, supporting women escaping domestic violence, and in child protection services. Kriti has a Master’s degree in Social Work.
Inclusive Governance Project Officer
Bernadette Curryer
Research Officer
Bernadette has been involved with disability issues for many years, as a parent and worker in the disability advocacy sector. Her passion for research, particularly about intellectual disability, led her to undertake and complete a doctorate exploring self-determination of people with intellectual disability within family relationships. As an affiliate of the Centre for Research Policy and Practice (The University of Sydney) and vice president of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID), Bernadette strongly believes in the need for research to inform practice. She hopes that the Inclusive Governance Project will make it possible for more people with intellectual disability to have a real say in the decision-making of community organisations.
Senior Advocate
Preeti Thadani
Senior Advocate
Preeti has an extensive work background in alternate dispute resolution. She completed her Master in Dispute Resolution from the University of Technology Sydney in 2007. Preeti joined the Board of Management at Side By Side Advocacy in 2015 and became aware of the important work of the organisation. After resigning from the Board, Preeti commenced work in the Individual Advocacy team in March 2017. She is passionate about the protection and promotion of human rights and is committed to giving people with disability a ‘fair go’. Preeti has developed strong networks including in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She is a certified Workplace Trainer and shares her advocacy expertise with a wide range of groups including people with disability, the families and friends of people with disability, NGOs, schools and with people pursuing studies at TAFE.
Senior Advocate
Cathy Milne
Senior Advocate
Cathy joined Side By Side Advocacy in 2018 as part of the Individual Advocacy team. Cathy has been a passionate advocate in both a personal and professional capacity for people with disability, degenerative neurological conditions, and mental health issues for more than 20 years. Cathy has been working with people to navigate the NDIS and its complex intersections with health, education, housing, justice and aged care systems since the scheme’s inception. During the last 10 years Cathy’s advocacy has been particularly focused on working with people who grew up in institutionalised settings and people who communicate informally. Cathy draws on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the principles of trauma informed practice to support people who communicate informally to assert their right to make decisions about their own lives. In addition to individual advocacy, Cathy has led multidisciplinary teams delivering information and referral, intensive family support and early intervention services. Cathy has a Masters in Bioethics from The University of Sydney and has contributed to published research projects, systemic advocacy projects and the development of multilingual resources and evidence-based consumer health publications.
Community for Everyone Project
Shu Hua Chan
Peer Trainer
Shu Hua is passionate about speaking up and sharing the stories of people with intellectual disability. She believes that people with intellectual disability can make important contributions when they have the opportunity and the support they need. Shu Hua also believes it is vital to hear from people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the disability space. Shua Hua has held positions on Boards (including as Chair), has shared her insights with politicians, has extensive co-design experience and is a long time self-advocate and campaigner for the rights of people with intellectual disability.
Accounts Officer
Kay Jones
Finance Officer
Kay joined Side By Side Advocacy in December 2021. She has a Masters in Business Administration and is a Certified Practicing Accountant. For over 30 years she has worked in and/or managed finance departments in various small to medium-sized organisations, including 8 years in the higher education sector and 15 years in commercial industry. She is keen to use her skills and experience to provide support to the organization as it provides support to its community.
Chris Faber-Morris
Board Support and Co-design Projects
Chris is an experienced teacher and community facilitator and has spent all her working life working for and alongside people with a disability.
She has facilitated conversations, meetings, information sessions, workshops, formal and accredited training and has adapted resources and tools to suit. She has facilitated the codesign of training materials and resources. Chris engages audiences by being respectful of everyone and their diversity. Chris has a Master of Arts, a Diploma of Education, a Diploma of Disability and an Advanced Diploma of Community Management.
Evelyn Gyan
Community for Everyone Project Co-ordinator
Evelyn is a dedicated disability and community development professional with years of experience across direct support, project co-ordination, and inclusive engagement. She brings experience in ensuring that people with disability are truly decision makers in their own lives. Evelyn is known for her commitment to inclusive leadership, practical innovation, and supporting people to participate fully in community life. Evelyn has qualifications in public health and disability studies. She joins Side By Side Advocacy as the Co-ordinator of Community for Everyone, a peer-led initiative that tackles social isolation among people with intellectual disability by fostering meaningful community connections in Parramatta and Ryde. Her work centres on co-designing with people with lived experience, mentoring volunteers, delivering inclusive training, and building collaborative partnerships with councils, organizations, and allies.
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Side By Side Advocacy originated as Citizen Advocacy Ryde-Hunter’s Hill and our citizen advocacy program continues to operate.
In 1989 a steering committee was established to investigate the feasibility of setting up a Citizen Advocacy Program to address that unmet need. One of the driving forces of the steering was John Roarty, a resident of Weemala in Ryde. He wrote forcefully about his experience of being institutionalised in his book Captives of Care. The steering committee was successful and the association, known as Citizen Advocacy Ryde Hunter’s Hill was incorporated in 1991.
In 2006 the constitution of Citizen Advocacy Ryde Hunter’s Hill was changed to enable the organisation to add a second model of advocacy. This form of advocacy is called Individual Advocacy and is delivered by members of staff, whom we call advocates. In 2006 we also changed our name to Side By Side Advocacy. The organisation later added additional projects.
We are funded by the Federal Government via the Department of Social Services.