Joanne Dacombe

Joanne Dacombe is an Autistic Advocacy Specialist and Chairperson at the Kapiti Disability Advisory Group, passionately promoting the rights and inclusivity of Autistics within governmental policies and programs. They serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees for My Life, My Voice and hold various leadership roles, including Chair of the VisAble Charitable Trust and National Executive Committee Member for the Disabled Person's Assembly. With a strong background in research and advocacy in health and education sectors, Joanne works to bridge gaps between autistic communities and governmental bodies while contributing to significant policy reforms and research publications. Joanne is also an Assistant Research Fellow at the University of Otago, where they continue to advance understanding in the field of Autism.