We are proud to introduce Alkira’s newly elected Participant Committee, a group that plays a vital role in ensuring the voices of people with disability are heard, respected and acted on across our organisation and beyond.
What is the Participant Committee?
Alkira’s Participant Committee is made up of voted-in representatives from across our community support sites. Committee members represent all Alkira participants and act as a direct link between participants and Alkira management.
Participants can approach committee members to share ideas, raise concerns or suggest improvements to services. These insights are then brought forward for review, helping ensure Alkira’s supports are shaped through genuine co-design with people with disability.
Two committee members also are responsible for attending meetings for our recently formed Participant and Partnership Committee to represent participant voices.
This committee is about more than feedback. It’s about leadership, advocacy and creating positive change together.
A Long History of Participant Voice
The Participant Committee has a strong and proud history. Originally known as the Day Service Client Committee, it was established in 1997 to give participants a meaningful say in what happens at Alkira.
Over time, the committee has grown into an important platform for self-advocacy, service improvement and collaboration, staying true to its original purpose: ensuring people with disability are actively involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Representing Alkira in the Community
Today, the Participant Committee also represents Alkira externally by attending events, meetings and activities across the wider disability community. Members regularly attend the Having a Say Conference and participate in VALID advocacy meetings, where they discuss issues impacting people with disability more broadly.
In recent years, committee members have also met with community representatives for example Box Hill Central Security to raise safety concerns—demonstrating the powerful role they play in speaking up, making change and ensuring participant voices are heard in the community.
How Participants are Elected
Becoming a Participant Committee member is a democratic process led by participants themselves. To join, participants must be nominated by their peers at Alkira. Elections take place every two years, meaning each committee serves a two-year term.
Candidates run an election campaign that includes creating flyers outlining what they hope to achieve and delivering a speech in front of their peers. Participants then vote for the candidates they believe will best represent them. Those receiving the most votes are elected onto the committee.
