Mhairi Cowden was appointed Department of Communities’ new Deputy Director General (DDG), Disability in January this year. This division is responsible for empowering and engaging the community to understand that everyone belongs. This division is close to our hearts at Ability Heroes as it’s also the vision and driving force behind all our projects.
Mhairi’s has a background is one of educational determination, showing consistent drive to learn and advocate. Her journey into children’s rights and disability came though her work at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC). This was also the time the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced and her focus shifted to the concepts around choice and control and dignity in risk.
Whether it’s child protection, emergency management, or homelessness, every single service we offer has a touch point with people with disability.
Department of Communities Interview
Mhairi has her own experience of NDIS from a participant level, through her daughter. She says this lived experience has given her a deeper and more real understanding of the decisions needing to be made.
As Mhairi steps into her role, she has laid out three main goals she plans to work towards in shaping WA:
- Creating and defining the shared vision of what services and functions the Disability Divisions undertakes.
- Focus on boosting the engagement from people with disability, the broader sector and their stakeholders, especially at a time where reform is happening.
- Utilise the reform moments to make bigger impacts on the future of the system.
As someone who has vowed to always follow through on any decisions she makes, we are excited to see her work unfold and be a part of building community involvement and engagement around disability.
