1800 424 065 
Guiding CID to a brighter future
Our new CEO Justine O’Neill has worked in the disability sector for over 20 years. She believes inclusion of all people, regardless of ability or disability, is key to making the world a better place.
With a background in disability, social work and advocacy, Justine was the perfect choice to continue building CID’s mission to create a community where all people with intellectual disability are valued.
Before joining CID, Justine was the Acting NSW Public Guardian, helping people with dementia, intellectual disability, brain injury, and mental illness make important decisions about their life.
“I know there are lots of issues and concerns for people with intellectual disability,” Justine says.
“Fair access to transport, NDIS, health, education, housing, and employment can be challenging for people with intellectual disability, especially coming out of a history of exclusion.”
Justine believes inclusion is the key to solving some of these issues.
“Getting access and participating, having a say, being seen as a person who has the right and the ability to speak for themselves,” she says.
Justine admires people who have the courage of their convictions, and make difficult decisions because it’s the right thing to do.
“Stella Young was a great example of someone with disability speaking truth, cutting through stereotypes and being funny while she was at it.”
Justine sees CID as a progressive organisation, and jumped at the chance of joining the team.
“I would come across CID a lot in my previous work and I was always impressed with the calibre of the people and the work that was going on,” Justine says.
“CID is always a step beyond what everyone else is doing.”
“I love that it’s led by people with intellectual disability. It’s unusual in that way. It’s a strong and innovative way to run an organisation.”
Justine is looking forward to all aspects of the job, including working closely with the Board, which has eight members with intellectual disability.
