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Disability Advisory Board

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Ellie Cole in an APM cap and polo

At APM Group, we’re all about creating opportunities and enhancing lives through better employment, skills, health, and wellbeing.  

We work with governments and employers to design services that tackle today’s challenges and improve opportunities for everyone. 


What is the Disability Advisory Board?

The Disability Advisory Board is being established to provide expertise, advice, and guidance to ensure APM Group builds inclusive and accessible services and programs for all, no matter their abilities. 

The board will be chaired by Australian Paralympian and APM Ambassador Ellie Cole AM, bringing her valuable experience and passion for advocacy to the forefront of this initiative. 


Board’s Purpose 

  • Advocate for accessibility: Make sure our facilities and services are accessible to all. 
  • Promote awareness: Raise awareness about the needs and rights of people with disability. 
  • Provide recommendations: Offer advice to improve our policies and practices. 
  • Support inclusion: Encourage the inclusion of people with disability in all areas of life. 
  • Monitor compliance: Ensure we follow relevant laws and advocate for necessary changes.

By working together with stakeholders, the board aims to create a welcoming environment where people with disability can thrive. 


Objectives

The Board will help shape APM Group’s disability strategy by: 

  • Advising on disability policies and standards. 
  • Providing input on strategic planning and service development. 
  • Offering feedback on engagement strategies with employers and community partners. 
  • Consulting with the community to gather diverse perspectives. 
  • Connecting with industry leaders and partners. 
  • Guiding our Access & Inclusion strategy and three-year plan. 


Who’s on the Board?

Paralympian, broadcaster, and APM Ambassador, Ellie Cole AM, will Chair the Board.  

Ellie became Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian after winning her 17th Paralympic medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. 

Ellie joined APM as Ambassador after she retired from competitive swimming in August 2022. 

Since then, she has continued to make significant contributions with advocating for disability inclusion through professional speaking and broadcasting and as her role on the Board of Paralympics Australia.  

Ellie’s leadership and firsthand experience with disability advocacy make her an ideal choice to steer the Board towards achieving its goals. 

Darren Fittler a Partner at Gilbert and Tobin Lawyers in Sydney, is also joining the Disability Advisory Board.

Darren, who is vision impaired, has expertise in laws specific to charities and not-for-profits and he has generalist knowledge of company and corporate law.

In 2024 Darren won the Financial Times Innovative Practice Award for the Asia Pacific for leading the way on innovative legal practice.

He is currently Director of Media Access Australia and is a Board member of Vision Australia and has volunteered on other charity boards.

APM will appoint a Group Executive to the committee to ensure organisational alignment with the Board’s agenda.  

We are in discussions with a number of additional thought leaders to join the Board.