Nick Avery
She/Her
Why are you nominating for the Board?
I value the work of ASAN AUNZ, and feel that the organisation is more important than ever at a time when autistic people have been consistently targeted by media rhetoric and stigmatising commentary framing us as a cost burden blowing out the NDIS. ASAN AUNZ has a crucial role to play in countering this narrative, and advocating for better outcomes and inclusion of autistic people in Australian communities, mainstream and disability systems. I would like to see more inclusion of WA (especially regional WA) in the organisation. I’d also like to see ASAN AUNZ more widely known and valued in WA.
What involvement have you had in Autistic self advocacy?
I’m the CEO of South West Autism Network (SWAN), an autistic led peer support and advocacy organisation in regional WA., and have been leading the organisation since 2010. My work comprises mainly of individual and systemic advocacy. I’m autistic and physically disabled, a NDIS participant and nominee for two NDIS participants (adult autistic kids, both with co-occurring conditions), and am contracted to represent Every Australian Counts in systemic advocacy and co-design work with the NDIA.
What experience on and contributions to other boards and committees have you had?
I’m a Board member of the Self Manager Hub (since March 2023) and a member of the Steering Committee for Every Australian Counts (since February 2023). Previously I have been a founding member of committees which established various peer support groups and organisations in WA, and have been part of various steering and oversight committees managing specific projects. In representing Every Australian Counts in the co-design work with NDIA, I was the Co-Chair of the Reform For Outcomes Better Planning Working Group, and a member of the Reform For Outcomes Steering Committee (June 2023-August 2024), and am now the Co-Chair of the Participant Pathway Experience Working Group and a member of the Scheme Reform Steering Committee. I’m also a member of the Disability Representative and Carer Organisation Employment Working Group.
What are your areas of expertise?
- Provision of individual and systemic advocacy, particularly in the NDIS space and regarding the specific barriers experienced by people in regional and remote areas.
- Provision of peer support, information, capacity building and referral.
- Consulting stakeholders and writing submissions.
- Facilitating virtual meetings, forums and webinars.
- Drafting grant applications, project management, grant reporting (primarily Information, Linkages and Capacity building).
Which of these areas do you have strong skills in that you would apply on the ASAN-AUNZ Board?
- Governance expertise including experience on Boards and committees and/or leadership roles.
- Government or stakeholder engagement.
- Working with vulnerable cohorts.
- Social media planning, copywriting and posting.
- Co-design facilitation and participation.
What else would you like the members of ASAN-AUNZ to know about you? (optional)
I live in regional WA, and for a range of reasons am unable to travel. I can participate in virtual meetings, but am unable to participate in in-person meetings due to being immune-compromised. If I am elected to the Board, please try to remember the time difference for WA.