Our Belief
It is our belief that people with disabilities irrespective of colour, race or creed should be treated equally and to enjoy a rich and meaningful life as far as possible.



Our Mission
To provide a range of services and support to people with disabilities and their families, especially those with Chinese background; as well as to promote a caring community for the optimal growth of people with disabilities.



Our History
The Chinese Parents Association - Children with Disabilities Inc. was established in 1988 by a group of Chinese Parents with children with disabilities. It was originated from the work of the Ethnic Child Care Family and Community Services Co-operative Ltd through the Ethnic Disabled Peoples Project (now known as Ethnic People with Disabilities Project –EPDP) with ethnic people with disabilities. This highlighted the needs of ethnic families with children with disabilities and the need for “mainstream” services to provide culturally/linguistically relevant services as well as create an awareness of the needs of these families within their respective communities and brought parents together to form self help groups – the Chinese Parents Group was the first to be formed.

In the same year, 1988, the management of the Group home -- The Abilities Pavilion - for five young Chinese people with disabilities in the Marrickville area-- was transferred to the Chinese Parents Association – Children with Disabilities Inc and support continued from the EPDP to the parents group and the staff of the group home. CPA administration office was also set up in the same premise.

During these years, the Association also organized other activities and programs for its members with disabilities and their families: picnics, festival celebrations, seminars, and information sessions. With incessant demands in the office administration, in August 1998, the Management Committee appointed an Executive officer responsible for the administrative work of the Association and the supervision of group home staff. In April 1999, CPA moved its administration office to the Bankstown-Canterbury Migrant Resource Centre at Campsie, and it became the CPA Main Office till now.

From 2000 onward, CPA was very involved in implementing program and activities to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The ‘Music Connection Project’ introduced music therapy to the parents and their children and CPA Community Liaison Officer embarked on ‘Smiling Kids In Action’ that brought in the early intervention activities to young children under five. These projects benefited all involved and initiated the formation of parent support network.

In 2003, CPA made the decision to change its strategy direction: that it would concentrate on providing more programs and activities to service parent members and children with disabilities and the management of Group Home was discontinued.

From 2003 to 2008 CPA had successfully applied grants and funding from various charitable organizations and City Councils undertaking weekend/vacation activities for children with disabilities and their families. In 2005, the Chinese name of CPA had been altered to make it more acceptable by members.

To secure available financial resources, CPA was grateful for the support from Hon Helen Sham Ho, Cr Ernest Wong, friends, supporters & donors in its fundraising activities: Fund Raising Dinners in October 2003 and in July 2005; Charity Concert 2006 and All Star Charity Concert 2007 at Sydney Town Hall. This also provided chances for CPA young members opportunities to perform on stage.

In addition, CPA is grateful to the work and generosity of Vincent Yu for constructing the Website so to promote its services to the wider community.

Looking ahead, CPA will continue to build network amongst parents/members and form partnerships with other non-government organizations to implement more programs for our members, to improve our services and to meet their diverse needs.