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When it comes to autistic representation, it’s kind of rare that we focus entirely on the good parts of being autistic. But the truth is: being autistic can be such a joy, especially when we feel safe—when our needs are accommodated, and our differences are celebrated.
Quote from William "You get to bring different lenses to rooms full of people who assume our support needs—this is so important, because there is often an assumption by neurotypicals that one size fits all, when it really doesn’t"

Your Service, Your Rights Coordinator William Ward-Boas talks about his role on the project and speaking up about your NDIS services. Your Service, Your Rights is a project about sharing information with people with an intellectual disability about their rights when getting NDIS services.

We are also sharing information with services about how to include people in making sure their services are safe and good quality.

On the same week that the Disability Royal Commission released its final report, ABC’s Four Corners program showed that people with disabilities are still experiencing abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation. William Ward-Boas shares his thoughts on watching the show and some of the issues raised in the program.

Disability advocate and VALID Board Member William Ward-Boas has returned from the recent United Nations Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP17), and he’s ready to get back to work.

Ward-Boas attended COSP17 on behalf of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), and his trip was supported by connections and friends who donated to the cost of the trip.

William Ward-Boas (he/him) is a person with disability that started working in the disability sector 6 years ago. William uses his experience to support broader understanding of the disability sector and to empower the voices and rights of others. He started this journey through meeting VALID, participating in paid workshops, then being connected onto the Disability Services Commissioner, and working with them as a community researcher for the “Safe and Respectful Cultures in the Workplace” Project. He then went on to YDAS for the “Youth Leadership Program”, went on to do an evaluation with a consultation service called ARTDConsultants.

William was recently appointed as a Board of Management Member at VALID. He is looking forward to being in a governance position.

William loves this work and plans to stay in this sector for the rest of his life.