Alison Barber
My name is Alison Barber. I’m a mother of 3 young adult children and live with my husband of 37 years. Both of my sons live with multiple medical complexities and disabilities which, between them, has resulted in approximately 30 brain surgeries, living with hydrocephalus, acquired brain injury, both having gastronomies and being tube fed for the majority of their lives, in addition to being on different levels of the autistic spectrum.
Additionally, I personally acquired a C2 incomplete spinal cord injury in late 2019 and am now a permanent power wheelchair user. I believe the combination of my somewhat unique life experiences enables me to be able to represent multiple viewpoints with relation to the NDIS, and I pride myself in attempting to be the best advocate I can be, for those with both visible and invisible disabilities. As such, I am a convenor for the Caboolture Peer Support Group, a State Carer Representative for Carer’s Queensland, a member of the Statewide Spinal Cord Injury Delivery Service - Codesign Project, a founding member of University of the Sunshine Coast’s research Project into Technology Enabled Homes for People with Disability and am actively involved in numerous other disability and NDIS related projects.
I originally graduated university with a double degree in both primary and early childhood education. After working in this field for many years, I retired from teaching, when my husband and I established, owned and operated one of the first veterinary hospitals in Queensland. After a period of time, we made the decision to move to a very new business experience, owner operating an outdoor recreation school camp facility that was also open to the public for camping, in addition to running a variety of special events and weddings. Unfortunately, my sons’ medical complexities necessitated us relocating closer to the children’s hospital in Brisbane, and I spent many years homeschooling and raising our children.
I believe my combination of the above business and life experiences have combined to give me a unique skill set to bring to the Board of QDN. I am passionate about advocacy for all people living with disabilities, both visible and invisible. I have completed both state and national level media training through my work with Carer’s Queensland and have a wide range of experience in advocacy through my involvement with associations such as The Carer’s Foundation, Caring for Carers, my 20-year involvement with ABIQ and Autism Queensland and more recently, QDN. I feel experienced and comfortable with public speaking and in representing those who are unable to represent themselves.