The Alliance for Neurodiversity and Disability in GLAMR Professions Australia Inc. (ANDPA) aspires to empower Australian GLAMR professionals and institutions in the acceptance of disability and neurodiversity. There are over 160 ANDPA members across Australia and its gallery, library, museum, archive, and record sectors.
ANDPA was founded as a non-profit association in November 2023, originally as the Association for Neurodivergent and Disabled GLAMR Professionals Australia. Its founders, Emilia Bell and Nikki Andersen, are two librarians who are passionate about seeing disability acceptance and belonging in Gallery, Library, Archive, Museum, and Records (GLAMR) professions. Emilia and Nikki founded ANDPA on values of community, pride, belonging, and leadership, and they are founding members of ANDPA’s inaugural Committee.
Vision | Purpose | Values | Objectives
For information on ANDPA’s use of identity and person-first language please see our policy note.
Vision
Acceptance and community for disability and neurodiversity in Australian GLAMR professions.
Purpose
ANDPA Inc. aspires to see acceptance, pride, and belonging realised for disability and neurodivergence in GLAMR professions in Australia.
Values
Community
ANDPA recognises the value of lived experience in creating inclusive and accepting spaces to build community. ANDPA provides opportunities to engage in networking and community-building for disabled and neurodivergent GLAMR professionals.
Pride
ANDPA values a culture of disability pride and neurodiversity pride. This is not about ignoring challenges or discrimination but about celebrating the inherent worth of people in these communities. Pride embraces disability and neurodiversity as part of human diversity.
Belonging
ANDPA maintains that disabled and neurodivergent people have the right to belong. We promote the acceptance of disabled and neurodivergent professionals and aim to create spaces that promote disability and neurodiversity culture, pride, and belonging.
Leadership
ANDPA values inclusive and authentic leadership. There is a need for disability leaders and inclusive leadership across GLAMR sectors. We aim to advance professional development opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent GLAMR professionals and promote inclusive leadership.
Objectives
- Provide inclusive networking and community building opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent people in Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums, Records (GLAMR), and associated professions;
- Establish and maintain a community that promotes disability and neurodiversity acceptance and pride for GLAMR professionals;
- Advance professional mentoring, coaching, and career development opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent GLAMR students and professionals;
- Support disability and neurodivergence acceptance and inclusion in GLAMR professions through self and systemic advocacy, leadership, and lived experience;
- Foster communication and cooperative activities with GLAMR institutions, associations, networks, and relevant industry bodies to further the achievement of these objectives.
- Engage in strategic planning and monitoring as required to achieve these objectives and progress ANDPA’s stated values in the best interests of the Association.
ANDPA 