Our members

3 options with a different person in each one. There is a hand pointing toward the middle option.

The Minister for the NDIS chooses our members.

A group of members, including a person with disability using a mobility aid, a carer and a provider supporting them, and an expert on the side with their hand raised.

Our members include:

  • people with disability
  • people who are experts in disability
  • family and carers
  • providers.

A group of 3 providers. The one on the left is holding a clipboard, and the one in the middle has a stethoscope.

Providers support people with disability by delivering a service.

An image of Leah van Poppel.

Leah van Poppel is the Principal Member.

The Principal Member is our leader.

3 people behind a bench that has 'NDIA' on the front. Above them is a calendar that reads '1 January 2022'.

She became the Principal Member on 1 January 2022.

She also joined the NDIA Board at the same time.

An image of Dr Sharon Boyce.

Dr Sharon Boyce is a person with disability who:

A map of Australia with the states and territories shown. Queensland is highlighted and has a location marker on it.

  • is from Queensland

Dr Sharon Boyce with a megaphone. Next to them is a disability icon.

  • speaks up for people with disability.

An image of Jennifer Cullen.

Jennifer Cullen has worked in disability services for more than 30 years.

A map of Australia with an Aboriginal dot pattern and hand prints. There are dots for the Torres Strait Islands.

She is a proud Aboriginal woman.

She supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with disability.

An image of Dr Leighton Jay.

Dr Leighton Jay gives advice on policies and services that affect people with disability.

Dr Leighton Jay with his son. Next to them is a disability icon.

He has a son with disability.

An image of Sylvana Mahmic.

Sylvana Mahmic speaks up for people with disability.

3 young children with a disability icon next to them.

She works hard to support children with disability.

An image of Tricia Malowney OAM.

Tricia Malowney OAM is a woman with disability.

Tricia Malowney OAM with a 'Rights' document and a megaphone next to them.

She speaks up for the rights of people with disability.

A 'Rules' document with ticks and crosses. Next to the document is the scales of justice.

Rights are rules about how people must treat you:

  • fairly
  • equally.

A map of Australia with a medal icon next to it.

The OAM after her name means she received an award called the Medal of the Order of Australia.

An image of James Manders.

James Manders works on different boards.

A group of people that make up a board behind a bench with a plaque on the front.

A board is a group of people who make decisions for:

  • an organisation
  • a company.

James Manders with a megaphone. Next to them is a disability icon.

He speaks up for people with disability.

An image of Sam Paior.

Sam Paior is the leader of The Growing Space.

This is a provider in South Australia that hires people with disability.

An image of Liz Reid AM.

Liz Reid AM supports people with disability to:

  • find and keep a job
  • take part in their communities.

An award icon in front of a map of Australia.

The AM after her name means that she received an award for the Member of the Order of Australia.

An image of Dr George Taleporos.

Dr George Taleporos is a person with disability and high support needs.

Dr George Taleporos in a mobility aid at a desk. They are speaking into a microphone and have a speech bubble with a megaphone in it.

He has been speaking up for people with disability for over 20 years.

He also works on a podcast called Reasonable and Necessary.

A microphone with 2 speech bubbles on either side of it.

A podcast is a recording of people talking about a topic.

It is a bit like a radio program.

A computer with a web address on the screen, and a mobile phone with app icons on the screen.

Podcasts are shared:

  • online
  • using apps.

An image of Mark Tonga.

Mark Tonga speaks up to make sure people with different disabilities:

  • feel like they belong
  • get the support they need.

2 people shaking hands with their other hand placed over their own chest.

He believes everyone should be treated:

  • fairly
  • equally.

An image of Kerry Allan-Zinner.

Kerry Allan works to improve rights for people with disability.

Kerry Allan with icons to show cerebral palsy. There are icons of a brain, muscle and bone next to her, and a disability icon.

Kerry is a person with disability.

She was born with cerebral palsy.

A lounge chair with an umbrella. Above is a calendar.

This year she took a break from her work with us.

Other people who support the IAC

An image of Dr Ben Gauntlett.

Dr Ben Gauntlett is our Expert Adviser.

This means he supports us with our work.

Dr Ben Gauntlett in front of 2 people with disability and a safe icon above them.

He is the Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.

This means he works to make sure people with disability are safe.

A calendar that reads '30 June 2023' with a stop icon next to it.

Ben finished his work as Commissioner on 30 June 2023.

An image of Belinda Epstein-Frisch AM.

Belinda Epstein-Frisch AM works closely with our members to turn our advice into a report.

A 'Policy' document with a disability icon next to it.

She has experience writing policies that affect people with disability.

She also speaks up for people with disability.

An image of Gavin Burner.

Gavin Burner is a person with intellectual disability.

A person with intellectual disability thinking, next to them are three icons showing intellectual disability - a lightbulb, cogs and a brain.

An intellectual disability affects how you:

  • learn new things
  • solve problems
  • communicate
  • do things on your own.

A person in a rural location on a farm. Next to them is a megaphone icon.

He speaks up for the rights of people with intellectual disability who live far away from cities and towns.