Guiding Principles

The work of CDA is guided by the following principles:

• Children first: the rights and interests of children and young people with disability are CDA’s highest priority consistent with Australia’s obligations under the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Right to childhood: children and young people with disability are children first and foremost and have a right to all aspects of childhood that children without disability are afforded.
• Right to participation: children and young people with disability have the right to participate, in whatever capacity, in decisions that impact on their lives.
• Inclusion: children and young people with all types of disability, from all cultural and religious backgrounds and all geographic locations are supported by the work of CDA.
• Recognition: for the contributions made by families and care givers to support the rights and interests of children and young people with disability.
• Partnerships: CDA works collaboratively with relevant government, non-government and private sector agencies to promote the rights and interests of children and young people with disability.
• Transparency: CDA is accountable, effective and ethical as the national peak body charged with the mandate of advocating for children and young people with disability