Who we are
Disability Rights Connect is an independent consultancy specialising in legal, policy and practice reform to advance the rights of people with disability.
We combine disability rights, evidence and lived experience to develop practical solutions to complex disability rights challenges.
We partner with advocacy organisations, service providers and universities to develop reform blueprints, policy advice and practical resources that support effective advocacy, influence government and strengthen rights-based policy and practice.
What Drives Us
Grounded in rights. Driven by lived experience.
Emily Cukalevski founded Disability Rights Connect to address the disconnect between disability rights in principle and inclusion in practice.
We believe that people with disability, including children, and their families and supporters, must be at the centre of reforming laws, policies and systems that shape their lives.
Our work is grounded in a strong human rights-based approach, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Meet Emily
Emily Cukalevski is a disability rights lawyer and policy strategist. She brings a rare combination of legal expertise, reform experience and family insight.
Emily holds a Master of Laws in International Disability Law and Policy (First Class Honours), and has worked with the Disability Royal Commission, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Disability has always been part of Emily's life— first as a sibling, now as a parent to a spirited preschooler and a cheeky toddler who also happens to have a rare condition and disability.
Through personal and professional experience, Emily is committed to designing reforms that are principled, pragmatic and grounded in lived experience and expertise.
What we do
Turning evidence and experience into inclusive reform
We help you translate your goals into clear, persuasive, rights-based solutions.
Reform blueprints
We partner with organisations to develop reform blueprints and roadmaps that set out the case for change identify legal, policy and practice reforms needed to address complex disability rights challenges. Combining evidence, lived experience and human rights, they set out a clear pathway and provide a strong platform for systemic advocacy and government engagement.
Policy and advocacy
We develop submissions, policy advice, briefing papers and strategic advocacy materials that help organisations influence government, shape public policy and respond to emerging reforms.
Knowledge translation
We translate research, evidence and lived experience into practical resources, frameworks and tools that support policy reform, organisational change and inclusive practice.
Capability building
We deliver workshops, training and tailored support that help organisations navigate complex legal, policy and human rights issues, build rights-based practice, and adapt confidently to changing legal and policy landscapes.
Inclusive technology and AI
We help organisations ensure disability rights are embedded in emerging technologies, digital services and AI-enabled systems through policy advice, governance and inclusive design.
