NDP operates as a division of National Disability Services (NDS) following the merger of two professional bodies, Australian Disability Professionals and Disability Professionals Victoria.
NDP Divisional Committee 2021
The NDP Divisional Committee is elected by our members to provide advice in areas of strategy and policy. The Committee is made up of experienced and committed people from a range of disciplines in the disability sector.
 | Mark Kulinski (NDP Committee Chair) Chief Executive Officer Community Living Australia |
Mark currently serves on the National Board for National Disability Services (NDS) and is the Chair for the National NDS Workforce Committee. Mark is also a state committee member of NDS and chairs the South Australian NDS Workforce committee. Mark has been the Chief Executive of Community Living Australia for close to fifteen years.
 | Jo Kot Training Coordinator Greystanes Disability Services |
Jo has over 13 years’ experience in the disability sector working in various roles. As a Training Coordinator at Greystanes Disability Services, she oversees the training and the professional development needs of all Greystanes employees. Previously, she worked to provide meaningful and enjoyable educational, recreational and skill-building day time activities to adults with a range of support needs as a Practice Leader and Lifestyle Educator for Greystanes.
 | Amie Verrall Specialist Service Manager |
Amie brings to the NDP Committee significant experience as a Specialist Service Manager, Support Coordinator, Senior Support Worker, Disability Team Leader and Case Manager. Amie is Deputy Chair, South Australian Lived Experience and Advocacy Network, Member,Advisory Committee (SA Health) CALHN (Mental Health Director), Member, Advisory Committee (SA Health) Carer and Consumer Advisory Committee (Outpatient Medical).
 | Rhys McAskell |
Rhys is a ‘sole trader’ and the Managing Director of Outcomes-Won, disability coordination and connection specialists that launched late March 2021. Rhys’s business works across Western Victoria assisting NDIS participants and families to understand and get the best bang for their NDIS buck! He employs people with disabilities and assists long-term unemployed find opportunities locally to working in and alongside people with disabilities. Prior to this he was a Business Management Consultant with over twenty five years experience working within the three tiers of government and community services sectors holding senior management and executive positions. He holds undergraduate and post graduate degrees in commerce, risk, governance, quality, project management and an MBA.
 | Nicole Leathem |
Nicole has been working the disability sector, and specifically in the area of direct support for nearly two decades. She is passionate about quality service, and supporting a workforce of skilled, enthusiastic, competent disability support workers who can make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the people they support. She has experience working as a disability support worker for people with acquired disabilities such as spinal cord injury, ABI, and stroke, as well as supporting people with congenital disabilities such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy. Nicole has also provided team leadership to for complex care programs, as well as complex care coordination for those with 24-hour care needs. In recent years, Nicole has provided program management and leadership in developing a support worker program in Extended Families, a service specialising in NDIS supports for young people. She is also working as Quality Manager for Extended Families to ensure continuous improvement and quality compliance for the organisation as a whole.
 |
Gary Ashton Disability Support Practitioner Cerebral Palsy Alliance
|
Gary is a Support Worker in the Cerebral Palsy Alliance although he predominantly works with clients, who have very mild intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, none have Cerebral Palsy. Gary has a rich background, working with various diverse organisations all around the world. In Australia he began working with disabilities and assisted set up the Housing Connection in Chatswood. Then after a management role for 7 years, Gary went to work as a Youth Worker at various crisis youth refuges in Sydney. He also managed a Sex Offenders facility for the therapeutic treatment of adolescent sex offenders. And after a stint at that, he returned to disability work at FACS, DADAC and now the CPA. Gary has chosen to remain at a floor level as this is the most effective position to bring about change in his clients. Gary is well trained in Social Role Valorization and PASSING which he still applies in his work today. He’s a writer and body surfer when he is not working at CPA and lives on the Central Coast of NSW.
The NDP Team
National Disability Practitioners' small secretariat team is made up of dedicated staff who work closely with the Committee and members.
