About Us

Who are we?

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) is a not-for-profit Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO) representing women and gender diverse people with disabilities in Victoria.

We are run for and by women and gender diverse people with all kinds of disabilities. Our members are people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles.

Women and gender diverse people with disabilities are often treated unfairly because of our gender and/or disability. At WDV, we advocate for our right to safety and respect, with a focus on health services, violence prevention and leadership.

What do we do?

  • We support women with disabilities to achieve their leadership and advocacy goals. 
  • We create resources to help women with disabilities to learn and speak out about their rights.
  • We work collaboratively with the disability sector, family violence prevention services, and other community organisations to improve gender and disability inclusion.
  • We research issues that affect women with disabilities.
  • We campaign on issues that impact our community, challenging harmful attitudes about gender and disability.
  • We advocate for changes to laws and policies to improve the lives of women with disabilities.
  • We provide expert advice to government.

Our Strategic Plan

Our strategic plan for 2025 – 2029 represents our commitment to our members and community. Equity can’t wait so WDV is taking bold action with a strategy aimed at transforming systems, strengthening our organisation, and amplify our voices and impact.

Our Vision

All women and gender diverse people with disabilities in Victoria live safe and fulfilling lives.

Our Strategic Priorities

1. Enhance WDV’s operational efficiency and funding resilience.
2. Establish research partnerships with a focus on inclusion, health, gendered violence, sexual autonomy and economic justice.
3. Build gender-based accessibility and inclusion expertise across Victoria.
4. Work to dismantle ableist and sexist attitudes and systems and develop community understanding of rights and educate and empower members to live safe and fulfilling lives.
5. Embed a member and community led approach to advocacy and system change.

Graphic of an older woman with her hand raised.
Graphic of a woman with sunglasses and a guide dog.
Graphic of a woman in a wheelchair with a phone.
Graphic of a woman with purple hair holding a baby.

Our Values

  • Equity
  • Respect
  • Impact
  • Diversity
  • Accountability
  • Accessibility
  • Collaboration
  • Creativity
  • Empowerment
  • Inclusion

Read the full plan

 
A picture of the first page of the Strategic Plan One Pager. It has the WDV Logo, Purple graphic elements and an illustration of 3 women and gender diverse people with disabilities at the bottom right corner
The WDV Logo above a photograph of group of 16 women, some with visible disabilities, posed together and smiling. Text below reads: Claiming our future.

Our History: 1995-2010

WDV has a strong history in the feminist and disability rights movements. A comprehensive report on our humble beginnings and major successes in policy, advocacy and empowerment can be found here:
 

Our Constitution

WDV’s constitution was last updated in 2017. You can read the word version here.