Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is transitioning the dedicated function of the WWDA Youth Advisory Group (WYAG) and Youth communication channels into a broader member engagement function to be established for the WWDA community.
This change is about ensuring all voices in our community are heard and represented equally across our work; including youth voices, older women, and those whose experiences can be marginalised within our community. As a member-based organisation, it is critical that the voices and lived experience of our members shape all areas of our advocacy, policy and communications work.
Young women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability are central to our work. This transition into a broader member engagement function will ensure youth voices remain central to WWDA’s advocacy, while also providing a platform for everyone in our community to be heard.
We have heard directly from our young members about the importance of visibility, representation and meaningful participation. As part of this transition we will be moving content from WWDA’s youth social media channels and youth newsletter onto our main communication channels. Bringing youth content onto our main channels allows us to amplify voices of our young members, connect them to national advocacy, and ensure they are part of key conversations shaping policy and social change.
We know this change may feel uncertain. We hear you. We understand that dedicated spaces like WYAG have been important, and we want to acknowledge the value and contribution that group has brought to WWDA. We are committed to carrying those learnings forward and making sure young people continue to feel seen, heard and included within this new approach, alongside all members of our community. We will continue to listen to our community and adapt our approach as needed.
Questions and Answers
About the Youth Advisory Group (WYAG)
Why is the WYAG shutting down?
WWDA is transitioning away from the dedicated Youth Advisory Group model as part of a broader change to how we engage members across the organisation.
This does not mean youth advocacy is ending or that young people are no longer a priority. Young women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability remain central to WWDA’s work. The main change is that youth engagement will now sit within a broader member engagement approach designed to include all voices in our community more equally. This change is about creating a more inclusive and sustainable way for members to shape our work across the whole organisation.
Why is WWDA making this change?
As a member-based organisation, it is critical that the voices and lived experience of all our members shape our work.
We want a stronger and more consistent approach to member engagement across the organisation, rather than one centred on particular groups only. This includes creating a broader member engagement function, opportunities for input on specific issues, and consistent ways of hearing from all of our members.
Is this change because youth voices are less important?
No.
Young women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability are central to WWDA’s work. This change is not about reducing the value of youth voices. It is about making sure youth voices remain central to WWDA’s advocacy while also creating space for all parts of our community to be heard.
Will youth voices be lost in this change?
No. We are committed to ensuring youth voices remain visible, valued and prioritised.
Youth perspectives will continue to shape WWDA’s advocacy, communications and priorities. The closure of WYAG in its current form is not about stepping away from younger members. It is about bringing youth voices into a broader engagement model where they remain an important part of the collective voice of our membership.
Will current WYAG members still be able to be involved in WWDA’s advocacy?
Yes.
We want to maintain our relationships with WYAG members and create other ways to stay involved, including through broader member engagement opportunities as these are finalised.
What happens to the work and contribution of WYAG?
It is important to acknowledge and celebrate what WYAG has contributed to WWDA.
The group has brought valuable insight, lived experience and leadership, and those learnings will be carried forward into how WWDA engages members in the future. This change is not about dismissing that contribution. It is about building on it in a way that works across the whole organisation.
About youth and member participation
Does this mean WWDA will still have dedicated youth advocacy?
Yes.
Youth advocacy remains a core part of WWDA’s work. This change is about where and how youth voices are engaged within WWDA, not whether they matter. Youth issues, perspectives and priorities will continue to be reflected in our advocacy, policy work and communications.
Will there still be space for youth-specific perspectives in the new approach?
Yes.
While WWDA is moving away from a separate youth-only advisory structure, youth voices will remain central to our advocacy and member engagement. The new approach is intended to make sure youth perspectives continue to be heard while also sitting alongside other important voices across our membership.
How will young people still be involved?
Young people will continue to be involved in WWDA’s work through:
• consultation and co-design processes
• youth-led content and storytelling
• campaigns and events
• opportunities to share lived experience
• broader member engagement opportunities
We are committed to making sure young people remain active participants in shaping our work.
How will WWDA make sure all voices of the community are heard?
This change is specifically intended to create a more inclusive member engagement approach across the organisation.
That means being more intentional about hearing from different voices within our membership, including youth, older members, and people whose perspectives may be marginalised within our community. It also means creating more consistent ways for people to contribute and making sure their input helps shape our work.
How will WWDA show that member feedback is being used?
A key part of this new approach is making sure engagement goes both ways.
That means members having real input into our work, and WWDA being clearer about how that input has been used and what has changed as a result. We want members to feel that their contributions are meaningful and that they can see the impact of their involvement.
Will young members still feel connected to WWDA if there is no separate youth structure?
That is an important part of what this new approach is intended to strengthen.
We want members to feel connected to WWDA not only when we need input, but as part of an ongoing advocacy community. That includes regularly sharing our work, the policy and advocacy issues we are progressing, and what is happening across the sector, while being clear about our role as an advocacy organisation.
About the closure of Youth Network social media channels and newsletter
Why are you closing the youth social media channels?
As WWDA moves to a more inclusive organisation-wide member engagement model, youth communications will be integrated into WWDA’s main platforms. This is about strengthening how we share member voices across the whole organisation, not reducing the visibility or importance of youth voices.
Why move youth content onto the main WWDA channels?
Bringing youth content into WWDA’s main channels allows us to connect those voices more directly to national advocacy, policy conversations and broader audiences.
It also supports a more unified communications approach across the organisation, where youth voices are embedded in our broader advocacy rather than separated from it.
How will I find Youth content now?
Youth content will be shared regularly on WWDA’s main social media channels, newsletter and website.
We will continue to clearly identify youth content and centre the voices of young people in our posts, campaigns and communications. We encourage everyone to follow WWDA’s main channels to stay connected.
What will happen to the existing youth social media accounts?
During the transition period, the youth accounts will:
• share updates about the move
• direct followers to WWDA’s main channels
• continue posting for a short period before being closed down