Directing Change Scholarship Program Evaluation
SUMMARY
The Directing Change Scholarship Program was a three-year program led by the Australian Disability Network (AusDN) in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Australian Scholarships Foundation (ASF). The aim of the program was to increase representation of people with disability on Boards through mentoring, networking and an education program.
The program provided:
- Professional development for 54 leaders with disability (see Table 1) to advance their skills and capability in Governance through undertaking an Australian Institute of Company directors (AICD) course
- An eight-month mentoring program each year to connect established board directors with leaders with disability seeking a board role
- Leadership Workshops (3 per year) to the scholars to support their learning whilst undertaking the AICD course and mentoring program
- Online resources and tools as well two Directors briefings per year to build capacity of boards to be inclusive.
This national program was delivered to 54 people with disability with leadership experience and/or aspiration, who were matched with an equal number of board directors or AICD members who acted as mentors. Additionally, 1,099 directors or AICD members attended online director briefings or workshops over the three years, aimed at building disability confidence and awareness.
RESULTS
The evaluation of the program found that nearly two-thirds of scholars had applied for a board role in the period they had undertaken the program and, at follow-up, that rate had increased to 86 per cent of scholars. Nearly half of those who applied for a board role attained one and a further one-quarter were awaiting the outcome of an application.
Mentors reported a growth in disability confidence and awareness as a result of their participation in the program.
The evaluation of the Directing Change Scholarship program offered insights into a potential pathway for people with disability to gain leadership skills and experience and to work towards board roles. This pathway is most likely to succeed when paired with a pathway for boards to build their disability confidence and commitment to inclusive practice.