The Inclusive Governance Project is exploring the inclusion of people with intellectual disability in the decision-making of Boards and committees
About Inclusive Governance
Inclusive Governance is about people from diverse backgrounds, including disability, being involved in the Boards and committees of organisations.
The Inclusive Governance Project has listened to the experiences of people involved with Boards. This includes Board members, with and without disability, Executive Officers and Board support people. Understanding these experiences help us to identify the benefits of inclusive governance and what helps people with intellectual disability to have a real voice in the decision-making of community organisations.
Inclusive Governance reports
- Inclusive Governance Project Submission to Disability Royal Commission Read more
- Commentary on “Governing for quality and safeguarding: What might disability service provider boards learn from others?” (Hough, 2022) Read more
- Discussion Paper 1: People with intellectual disability in governance roles Read more
The Findings of the Inclusive Governance Project
Five principles were identified from the findings of our research. Organisations can use these principles as a guide to develop a plan of action that will help them move towards inclusive governance. Read below for more details.
Overview
The research tells us that Inclusive governance requires a holistic, organisational approach to the inclusion of people with intellectual disability. This means that organisations that have successfully implemented inclusive governance have included people with intellectual disability in many levels and activities of their organisation.
Principle 1
Inclusion of people with intellectual disability in the decision-making and governance of community organisations is valued.
Principle 2
There are clear pathways to Board membership for people with intellectual disability.
Principle 3
Board meetings and activities are accessible, meeting the inclusion needs of people with intellectual disability.
Principle 4
Individualised, skilled support is provided.
Principle 5
There is a commitment to making Inclusive Governance work.
A call to action for organisations
People with intellectual disability can and should be involved in the decision making and governance of your organisation. We challenge you to make it happen!
Download the Inclusive Governance Action Plan Template
DownloadInformation in Easy Read
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Frequently Asked Questions
Click below to look at some websites where you might find useful information about Inclusive Governance.
Voice At The Table does training for both organisations and people with an intellectual disability and acquired injury.
Their aim is for people with an intellectual disability and acquired brain injury to be included in leadership roles like being on: boards, committees, advisory groups and meetings.
Their training is co-designed and delivered by people with an intellectual disability and acquired brain injury.
On Board with Me is a project that aims to improve the representation of people with disabilities on boards in
the Western Australian community services sector.
You can download the Inclusive Governance Template by clicking here.