State-Wide CALD Disability Network
ECCV is setting up a state-wide CALD disability network to capture the voices of people with disability from CALD communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and inform the recovery phase.
ECCV welcomes Margherita Coppolino, National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) President, as Chair of the new network, which will hold its first meeting this week. We encourage expression of interest to join the network from people from CALD backgrounds with lived experience of disability, their carers and families, and multicultural and ethno-specific organisations.
ECCV welcomes Margherita Coppolino, National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) President, as Chair of the new network, which will hold its first meeting this week. We encourage expression of interest to join the network from people from CALD backgrounds with lived experience of disability, their carers and families, and multicultural and ethno-specific organisations.
Carer Respite and Employment Support Grants information session | Tuesday 31 August 2021 | 10am
The Victorian Government is offering two new grant opportunities to support unpaid carers to take a break from their care role, and for those who wish to gain employment, build their skills and secure carer-friendly work. They are looking for innovative and non-traditional ways to deliver respite services, and small ethno-specific/multicultural organisations are encouraged to apply. Organisations interested in finding out how to apply for these grants can register for the information session below.
ECCV's Raise Our Voices program aims to empower people with disability from CALD communities by developing their self-advocacy skills and improving understanding of the disability services system and support pathways. For more information about the program, including self-advocacy awareness training, peer support networks and information forums for CALD communities, contact us or visit the program webpage.
Five Victorian 'Travellers' are currently training with ECCV to produce podcasts in Greek, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin and Turkish.
The Government is also providing more opportunities for Victorians to upskill or start work in the disability sector through the signature Free TAFE program, which includes specialist courses in Individual Support, Mental Health, Community Services, Disability and Allied Health.
Workers with disability reported negative impacts to their health and wellbeing during the pandemic at higher rates than any other group surveyed.
Raise Our Voices program
Earlier this month, ECCV farewelled Disability Advocacy Project Officer Yuli Liang, who was instrumental in setting up and delivering the Raise Our Voices project. We thank her for her terrific work and wish her all the best. Youssif Assafiri has been appointed to lead the Raise Our Voices project. Since joining ECCV in October 2019, Youssif has worked on the National Community Connector Program, the Disability Advocacy COVID-19 project and other initiatives.ECCV's Raise Our Voices program aims to empower people with disability from CALD communities by developing their self-advocacy skills and improving understanding of the disability services system and support pathways. For more information about the program, including self-advocacy awareness training, peer support networks and information forums for CALD communities, contact us or visit the program webpage.
ECCV Response to the Royal Commission
ECCV is finalising a submission to respond to the Terms of Reference of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Our process is informed by people with lived experience of disability and sector stakeholders, and we recently held a stakeholder roundtable to receive feedback on the draft submission. Through its submission, ECCV hopes to share challenges and solutions with the Royal Commission to improve the lives of people with disability from CALD backgrounds. We thank our peers, colleagues and friends in the sector for their ongoing support.Speak My Language program
ECCV is continuing to recruit 'Travellers', to undertake interviews with people with lived experience of disability from CALD and Indigenous communities, as well as guest speakers, for the Speak My Language program. The national program is producing podcasts featuring people from First Nations and CALD communities sharing their experiences and tips about living well with a disability.Five Victorian 'Travellers' are currently training with ECCV to produce podcasts in Greek, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin and Turkish.
NDIS quarterly report
The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, The Hon Linda Reynolds, has released the final 2020-21 NDIS Quarterly Report to Disability Ministers. You can read about the Scheme’s financial performance compared to the Federal Government’s 2021-22 Portfolio Budget Statements, the 2017 Productivity Commission projection and the latest scheme projections. The report also includes participant stories.Work that Matters campaign launch
Earlier this month, the Victorian Government launched the Work that Matters campaign to boost recruitment of NDIS and disability workers. The campaign includes a new online hub with resources and information to support entrants into the disability sector, help current employees progress their career, and employers recruit workers.The Government is also providing more opportunities for Victorians to upskill or start work in the disability sector through the signature Free TAFE program, which includes specialist courses in Individual Support, Mental Health, Community Services, Disability and Allied Health.
New report on law, education and students with disability
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has published a research report on ‘Legislation and regulation in Australia: Children and young people with disability in primary and secondary education settings’. The report looks at legal and policy frameworks relating to the education of students with disability, with a focus on primary and secondary school settings across Australia, and examines anti-discrimination laws as they apply to education.Disability Inclusion Facilitator Service
Healthcare Associates has been appointed to provide the Disability Inclusion Facilitator Service as part of the Victorian Government’s Disability Inclusion reform, to support students with disability in our schools. Support from the Facilitator Service can be requested by all government schools in the Barwon, Loddon Campaspe and Bayside Peninsula areas. Facilitators will lead Student Support Group meetings to help schools and families identify the strengths, needs and educational adjustments schools can make to fully support all students.Lessons for the post-COVID workplace
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has released a new research snapshot ‘Lessons for the post-COVID workplace: Supporting workers with disability’ which draws on surveys and interviews with 1500 Victorians about how the pandemic has affected their working lives.Workers with disability reported negative impacts to their health and wellbeing during the pandemic at higher rates than any other group surveyed.
COVID-19 payment for support workers
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is a lump sum support payment available for workers adversely affected by state public health orders. Disability support workers who are losing work entitlements due to the current COVID-19 outbreaks may be eligible for this payment.Changing Places facilities grants | applications close 5 November 2021
Grants of up to $110,000 are available through the Victorian Government Changing Places facilities program. Eligible organisations are invited to apply for grants to build additional Changing Places accessible toilets. Find more information on guidelines, specifications and how to apply on the DFFH website.Carer Gateway: coaching service
The Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative for carers that provides practical information and advice, and connects carers to services and support. To access the gateway, visit the website or call 1800 422 737. If you would like to talk to Carer Gateway staff in your own language, you can phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.Palliative Care Advice Service
The Palliative Care Advice Service (PCAS) supports people diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses and those who support them. PCAS can assist callers to navigate the palliative care service system, to find information about caring for someone, and to consider what they may need to think about and plan for. For clinicians, PCAS can provide the right advice and care through guidance with symptom management, medications and decision making. To access the service, visit the website or call 1800 360 000.Ask Me First: How to Engage Australians with Disability
Watch this episode of Polaron's weekly Ticker Talks program for a discussion on support and advocacy for people with disability from CALD communities, featuring disability and inclusion advocate Margherita Coppolino, and Program Manager of the Diversity and Disability initiative at Migrant Resource Centre North West (MRCNW) Christian Astourian.- Watch on YouTube (16 mins)
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
Email: ndis@eccv.org.au
Website: www.eccv.org.au