ECCV Pre-Budget Submission 20-21
ECCV has recommended the Victorian Government commit $4.9 million in the upcoming State Budget to improve access to support for people with disability, particularly people who are ineligible for the NDIS.
NDIS Provider Guide
The NDIS Provider Guide has been produced to assist existing and aspiring culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) NDIS providers in their understanding of their role and responsibilities as NDIS providers.
In 2020, ECCV engaged Global Consulting Group (GCG) in response to the challenges raised by member organisations regarding delivery and access to NDIS services.
The NDIS structure has disrupted the traditional block-funding model in the disability sector and forced changes to the way that providers operate. The NDIS Provider Guide aims to empower multicultural communities, taking the reader through the NDIS policy and practice journey that is essential for every existing and aspiring NDIS service provider.
Raise our Voices – Disability Self-Advocacy for CALD Communities Project
ECCV has been funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services to deliver the Raise our Voices – Disability Self-advocacy for CALD Communities project. It will be run across metropolitan Melbourne, Shepparton and Gippsland, providing participants with tools and techniques to learn how to advocate and become confident speaking for themselves and others.
For more information contact Disability Advocacy Project Officer Yuli Liang on email: yliang@eccv.org.au
NDIS Community Connectors
NDIS Community Connectors have conducted information sessions to support people with disabilities from multicultural communities.
Find out how this free service can help you learn more about disability, apply for the NDIS, and help improve your quality of life. Contact NDIS Project Coordinators Shahnoor on 0413 681 988 or Surmeli on 0466 038 261 for more information.
COVID normal supports for participants and providers
The NDIA has reviewed temporary measures to determine what is needed to safely deliver supports and services in a COVID normal situation. Participants and providers in areas where public health orders require personal protective equipment (PPE) while supports are being delivered will be able to claim the cost of PPE, with some changes for provider claiming. Victoria is the only state or territory with this requirement.
The following COVID-19 supports have been extended nationally until 30 June 2021:
- COVID-19 positive participants living in Supported Independent Living (SIL) arrangements can access cleaning services and higher intensity support. These supports are also available to participants living in SIL who are required to self-isolate or quarantine.
- If a participant has a support worker attending their home who later tests positive to COVID-19, the participant can access a one-off deep clean.
Other temporary measures will end on 28 February 2021:
- support coordination line items claimable under a participant’s Core budget – support coordination will still be available for all participants who have a reasonable and necessary need for it from their Capacity Building budget
- direct claiming to the NDIA by providers for disability support worker PPE.
Latest NDIS Quarterly report
The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, has released the second Quarterly Report to disability ministers, providing a summary of the Scheme’s performance from 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020.
Data highlights that:
- NDIS welcomed an average of 24,800 people into the NDIS each quarter in 2020.
- NDIS is now supporting over 430,000 people with disability, an increase of more than 93,500 participants since December 2019.
- The number of younger people in residential aged care has reduced by 22 per cent over the past two years and much more.
Automatic 12-month plan extensions still in place
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NDIS changed what happens when your plan reaches its end date. If your plan reaches its end date and your new plan hasn’t been finalised your current plan will be automatically extended for up to 12 months.
This means that your current funding will automatically continue for up to 12 months, or until your new plan can be finalised.
Latest Specialist Disability Accommodation information available
Data collected by NDIS provides a picture of the needs, successes and challenges for Australians who live with a disability and those who support them. This data is available in a range of formats including downloadable reports and spreadsheets, analysis and presentations. Including the latest data on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for participants and the sector. The data helps participants and providers understand the current SDA supply, where the demand for SDA is greatest, and where there are opportunities for more SDA.
RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines
The Australian Government Department of Health has created a web page with information about COVID-19 vaccines for people with disability.
The information covers many questions including:
- When will I get the vaccine?
- Where can I get the vaccine?
- Vaccinations for supports workers?
- Translated information in 63 languages
- Easy english resources
- Auslan videos
SBS
Stay up to date about the Coronavirus Vaccine and COVID-19 updates in 60 languages.
Stay informed about the Coronavirus Vaccine rollout across Australia through translated videos, radio and news articles.
Diversity and Disability (DnD) at Migrant Resource Centre North West
DnD are holding FREE support group sessions for CALD people with a disability once a month from February to December 2021. Places are limited to 15 people.
Sessions will be held in Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Shepparton and Bendigo
Topics will cover the NDIS, human rights, education, relationships, new technologies, transports, employment and more.
RSVP by contacting Christian Astourian on 9367 6044 or email: christian@mrcnorthwest.org.au
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC)
ADEC is running one-hour information sessions on the Disability Royal Commission for people with disabilities from culturally diverse ethnic communities until June 2021.
- Information sessions can be tailored to each cultural community groups needs
- Sessions can be facilitated in small groups of 2-3 or even one-on-one
- The session will be between 45-60 minutes
- An interpreter will be available for the group on a needs basis
ADEC can also assist you and your group to find a venue for the information sessions and cover venue hire costs, interpreter & refreshments.
For more information contact Nebahat Erpolat on email Nebahat@adec.org.au or telephone 0490 891 215.
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association and Mental Health Coordinating Council
Join this FREE two-part webinar series and explore self-advocacy and the NDIS in a mental health context. There will be a Q+A panel discussion and opportunity to hear from self advocates. Free resources will be available to build skills in your NDIS journey.
Learn more about:
- Self-advocacy, and why is it important in the NDIS journey
- How to maximise choice and control for consumers applying for and on the NDIS
- Recovery-oriented strategies of self-advocacy, for people living with a mental health condition in the NDIS context.
Tuesday 9 March 2021 | 12-1.30pm: Self-Advocacy and Applying for the NDIS
Tuesday 30 March 2021 | 12-1.30pm: You have an NDIS plan, now what? (Self-Advocacy with an NDIS plan)
Women With Disabilities Victoria
As part of the 2021 International Women’s Day Celebrations, Women with Disabilities Victoria are holding a free webinar and launch of their newest resource Prevention of Violence against Women with Disabilities: Workforce Resources for Action.
- The webinar is co-facilitated with an expert in violence prevention and someone with lived experience of disabilities.
- It is evidence-based, aligning with the latest research on disability, Our Watch’s Change the Story, and the Preventing Family Violence & Violence against Women Capability Framework.
Wednesday 10 March 2021 | 11am-12.30pm
Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
DARU will be holding a FREE online Advocacy Sector Conversations Forum across three days in March 2021
- This forum series provides an opportunity for advocates to gain access to in-depth expert knowledge on topical issues which directly impact on the practice of disability advocacy.
Tuesday 2 March 2021 | 1-2pm: Counselling and advocacy support for the Disability Royal Commission.
Wednesday 3 March 2021 | 1-2pm: Regulated Restrictive Practice
Thursday 4 March 2021 | 1-2pm: Building Community Networks - Circles of Support
Amparo Advocacy
Amparo have produced videos for people from non-English speaking backgrounds to assist them to understand disability in Australia and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
- The videos are available in Amharic, Dinka, Somali, Dari, Burmese, Karen and AUSLAN
- Audio information of these topics are available in Kirundi and Rohingan. It is also available also available in conversations in Hazaragi/ English and Swahili/English
- Information on understanding NDIS and Participants rights is available in Hazaragi and Rohingan as audio only
Expressions Australia
Expression Australia is a not-for-profit organisation created by and for the Deaf Community.
- Access regular Auslan videos on updates of breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
MORE:
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058
Tel: 9354 9555
Email: ndis@eccv.org.au
Website: https://eccv.org.au