ECCV's new Raise Our Voices - Disability Self-advocacy for CALD Communities program
Now being delivered across metropolitan Melbourne, Shepparton and Gippsland. Through training, information forums, peer-led support networks and groups activities, Raise Our Voices aims to develop self-advocacy skills and empower people with disability, their carers and their families.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, the program is being delivered with Migrant Resource Centre North West, Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District and Gippsland Multicultural Services.
State Disability Plan consultations
ECCV has been conducting consultations with CALD communities for the Victorian Office for Disability on the new State Disability Plan and review of the Disability Act. Facilitated for the ECCV by NEDA President, Margherita Coppolino, the consultations have included sessions with Vietnamese carers in St Albans and young people from Burke and Beyond's Next Steps program in Dandenong.
ECCV is also set to begin work on the COVID-19 disability advocacy outreach program, in collaboration with ADEC and MRC North West Melbourne, to ensure that people with disability from migrant and refugee communities are not left behind by the pandemic.
Speak My Language
ECCV is looking for people with disability and guest speakers who speak Maltese, Somali and Oromo to be interviewed for the Speak My Language program. The national program will feature CALD and Indigenous Australians sharing real stories, experiences and tips about living well with a disability in a series of podcasts, radio broadcasts and online content in more than 25 community languages. ECCV is also recruiting "Travellers" to conduct interviews and produce podcasts.
Disability Information Sessions
ECCV's Community Connectors team has held a series of NDIS information sessions, including an event with the Raise our Voices program on 29 April at the Melbourne Polytechnic Preston campus and 6 May at the Epping Campus. Our Community Connectors also took part in the “Find Your Budget-Life Balance” Expo in Whittlesea's in March and a session at the North Melbourne Community Centre on 4 May.
NDIS Independent Assessment rollout delayed
The planned mid-year roll out of independent assessments for the NDIS has been further delayed to allow for more consultation following concerns about its impact. The new minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Linda Reynolds had indicated the Government will be closely assessing the independent assessment trial outcomes before any enabling legislation is taken forward.
The NDIS has stated that the safety and welfare of all participants, and ensuring their continued access to the disability-related supports they need, remains their priority.
ECCV has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS Inquiry into Independent Assessments based on ECCV’s experience delivering the National Community Connector program.
COVID-19 Vaccines Updates & Tools
The Department of Health's dedicated COVID-19 vaccine webpage for disability service providers has comprehensive information and resources for people with disability. This includes a readiness toolkit with resources designed to assist disability service providers during the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.
Miaccess - New website with translated resources
MiAccess is a new purpose-built site for people with disability from CALD backgrounds, their carers, and communities.
MiAccess can now be accessed and navigated in 10 languages, as well as English. The site also contains translated resources about disability and accessing the NDIS in more than 30 languages.
WIRE Resources for Women, by Women
WIRE has published two e-booklets and a video on choice and control in the NDIS. Developed in collaboration women with disability from various ethnic backgrounds and circumstances as part of the ‘COVID-19, Financial Capability and Intersectionality’ project, the resources include simple referral points and information.
SSI - Engaging CALD Communities
Disability service providers need to have targeted strategies to engage and build relationships with CALD communities. Settlement Services International's free online workshop on 11 May 2021 will assist for NDIS service provider staff in planning and implementing engagement processes for the communities they work with.
Disability Royal Commission News
Stay up-to-date with the work of the Disability Royal Commission through their fortnightly eNewsletter Connect. Submissions to the Royal Commission about the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability are due by 11 June 2021.
MRC - Wellbeing Support Group Meetings
Diversity and Disability - Migrant Resource Centre North West, in partnership with Yooralla,
are holding monthly Support Group meetings throughout 2021 focused on wellbeing after the disruption of COVID-19 in 2020. The next session is on Thursday 20 May at MRCNW in St Albans.
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058, 9354 9555
Email: ndis@eccv.org.au
Website: www.eccv.org.au