Increasing board and executive representation

Inclusion, diversity and equity cannot be met if people with disability are not part of decision making across business.  Without Board and Executive representation, businesses are not making informed decisions with true market representation.

The Australian Network on Disability is pleased to be partnering with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) to provide an opportunity to increase the representation of people with disability in executive and board leadership positions.

The Directing Change Scholarship will provide leaders with disability training and coaching to increase their governance knowledge and access to board positions.

Additionally, Australian Network on Disability will also build the awareness and disability confidence of Australian board directors, providing them the capability to welcome people with disability.

Directing Change Scholarship

15 full-fee scholarships are provided to people who identify as a person with disability, mental health condition or chronic illness (including physical, intellectual, sensory, neurological, psychological, or immunological) and are a practicing director or senior executive reporting to boards with a minimum 3 years’ experience (Company Directors Course) or a new director, senior executive, or manager (Foundations of Directorship program).

The scholarship provides the opportunity to attend either the Company Directors Course or the Foundations of Directorship program, both ran by the AICD .  Participants will also gain:

• one-year membership to the AICD
• a subscription to the AICD’s Directorship Opportunities service
• 8 months of mentoring with an Australian business leader.
• Tailored leadership workshops to support career and leadership progression

2022 Directing Change Scholarship applications are currently closed.  Watch out for our 2023 cohort opening in January 2023.

Disability Confidence for board and executives members

Low awareness, confidence and capability of Directors to welcome and include people with disability on Boards is one of the main barriers to representation.  Build your disability confidence by becoming a mentor to a leader with disability.

Become a mentor

As a mentor, you will be connected to an emerging leader with disability and support them in developing their governance knowledge. You will build your understanding of the barriers experienced by people with disability in the workforce and increase your confidence in ensuring Australian boardrooms are accessible and inclusive to all leaders.

To be a mentor you must a) currently be or have previously been on a board and b) (preferably) completed a course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a mentor you will receive Disability Confidence & Awareness Training from the Australian Network on Disability, as well as resources and regular support throughout the program.

Mentors will need to commit 1-2 hours each month from April – December to catch up with their mentee.

2022 Directing Change mentor applications are currently closed.  Watch out for our 2023 cohort opening in February 2023