ECCV's Raise Our Voices program
This program aims to empower people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse communities by developing their self-advocacy skills and improving understanding of the disability services system and support pathways.
On 5 July 2021, ECCV conducted the first self-advocacy workshop in Morwell, with the new Raise Our Voices - Gippsland peer-led support group, supported by Gippsland Multicultural Services. The group will run two further sessions in the workshop series, focusing on how to advocate and become confident in speaking up for themselves, supportive decision making, self-management of NDIS plans and personal development skills.
Peer support groups have also been established in Broadmeadows, Dandenong and St Albans under the program.
For more information about the Raise Our Voices program, including self-advocacy awareness training and information forums for CALD communities, contact us or visit the program webpage.
ECCV’s COVID-19 Multicultural Outreach Program
This program includes targeted outreach to priority communities, with our bilingual community outreach team to be deployed alongside health providers and others to deliver information sessions, workshops and forums for CALD communities across metropolitan Melbourne.
The program aims to help migrant and refugee communities stay appropriately engaged, supported and informed about the vaccine program and public health response to the coronavirus pandemic. CALD disability groups interested in hosting a session in partnership with ECCV can contact us for further information.
Speak My Language program | SEEKING | Maltese and Somali Interviewees
Five Victorian 'Travellers' are currently training with ECCV to conduct interviews and produce podcasts in Greek, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin and Turkish for the Speak My Language program.
ECCV is looking for people with disability who speak Maltese and Somali to be interviewed for the national program, which is set to feature Indigenous Australians and people from CALD communities sharing stories, experiences and tips about living well with a disability.
Victorian Traveller Abdikadir Osoble is a strong advocate for inclusion and change in his community. The co-founder of Gurmad Somali Relief, a not-for-profit organisation empowering orphans and people affected by natural disasters, is connecting with the local Somali community to share stories that empower people living with disabilities.
NDIS independent assessments scrapped
ECCV welcomes the announcement this month by the Minister for the NDIS, Linda Reynolds, that the planned independent assessments for NDIS will not proceed, after state and territory ministers rejected the proposal. The controversial independent assessments plan prompted widespread backlash from advocates in the disability sector, with the Federal government receiving more than 5000 emails, submissions and calls opposing the scheme.
AUST | GOV | National Disability Gateway launched
Australians with disability can now access the National Disability Gateway, a new dedicated one-stop shop from the Department of Social Services that will assist all people with disability, their families and carers to locate and access services across Australia.
Launched in early July, the gateway includes a website, a dedicated phone support line and social media channels to assist people with finding a range of information and support, including advocacy services, finding a sporting team that meets specific needs or identifying local disability-related events.
People with disability from CALD backgrounds who need support in another language can call the gateway and ask for an interpreter. For more information or to access services, visit the website or call 1800 643 787.
AUST | NDIS | CALLING | Have your say: NDIS Consultations | submissions close 5pm on 27 August 2021
NDIS is undertaking consultations to inform the development of two policies – the Home and Living policy and the Support for Decision Making policy. They are looking for feedback from participants, nominees, families, carers, service providers and stakeholders on two consultation papers. Feedback can submitted in different formats, including audio and video files. To make a submission, visit the Have your say page on the website.
COVID-19 vaccines for NDIS participants
All NDIS participants aged 16 years and over and carers aged 16 years and over of NDIS participants of any age are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, visit the Department of Health’s website or call the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787. For help in your language, call TIS on 131 450.
Nominations for the Brenda Gabe Leadership Award | nominations close 5pm on 2 August 2021
Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) invites nominations for the Brenda Gabe Leadership Award, a biennial award which recognises outstanding leadership by women with disability in Victoria. Nominations of women with diverse backgrounds and/or life experiences are encouraged.
Call for content: ABC and IDPWD
International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) have partnered with the ABC to showcase the work of emerging content makers with disability. The ABC is looking to commission a series of factual stories to be published and broadcast across ABC platforms for 2021 IDPWD (3 December). To be eligible, you must live in Australia, be over 18, have a disability and be available to work on your content between September and November 2021.
New In-language Vietnamese resources
Inclusion Designlab has created a suite of Vietnamese resources aimed at supporting people with disability and their families, friends and carers. Available in English and Vietnamese, the resources provide information about how to articulate your rights and entitlements, negotiate service agreements and conditions with support providers, and more.
In-language factsheets for migrants and refugees with disability
National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) has developed factsheets to help migrants and refugees with disability navigate Australia’s complex migration system and visa application process. The factsheets are available in 5 languages other than English: Arabic, Hindi, Simplified Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.
2021 Spotlight Events on hepatitis B
Spotlight on hepatitis B is an annual workforce development initiative coordinated by the Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance (VHBA). This year, the VHBA will be delivering a four webinars tailored to the education and training needs of people living with hepatitis B, as well as health workers and people working with communities affected by hepatitis B, policy makers and researchers.
In-language hepatitis B videos
LiverWELL (Hepatitis Victoria), in collaboration with Hepatitis Queensland, has released a series of videos raising awareness about hepatitis B. The videos allow people in CALD communities to access clear and simple information about liver health. The videos are also available in Arabic, Burmese, Khmer, Mandarin Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.
MORE:
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
Email: ndis@eccv.org.au
Website: www.eccv.org.au