A new state disability plan for Victoria
The Victorian Government's Inclusive Victoria: State Disability Plan 2022-2026, released this month, aims to build a more inclusive and accessible community for the more than 1.1 million Victorians with disability.
A key initiative includes establishing an Australian-first Commissioner for Disability Inclusion to drive improvements in practice in the public sector and promote inclusion across Victoria.
Welcoming the plan, ECCV commended the focus on co-design, which aims to place people with disability at the centre of decision-making. ECCV ran workshops with people with disability and their families from regional and metropolitan areas as part of the extensive and targeted community consultation during the development of the plan.
The needs of diverse communities are recognised across a range of program areas, including mental health, emergency preparedness, disability advocacy and more broadly through improved representation at leadership level.
As the Disability Act 2006 (Vic) is reviewed, it is important that the state’s role in supporting people with disability is strengthened so they do not fall through the cracks. Inclusive Victoria:State Disability Plan 2022–2026 is available in accessible formats, including easy read, braille, audio and Auslan.
WEBINAR | Disability Service Navigation Workshop | Thursday 31 March 2022 | 10.30am-12.30pm
ECCV is holding an online workshop to help people navigate the Disability Gateway, MiAccess, and Disability Liaison Officer program. Speakers include:
- Mackenzie Small, Partnership Specialist & Misha Stemper, Partnership Coordinator at Disability Gateway
- Lizzie Castles, Statewide Coordinator, Victorian Disability Liaison Officer program
- Rea Singh, Engagement Lead – Cultural Perspective, MiAccess
An initiative of ECCV’s Statewide Disability Network, the workshop is for people with disability from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their carers and families, as well as any organisations that would like to know more about these services.
For further information or if you require support to participate, please email Nimo Hersi.
WEBINAR | How to apply for Carer & Respite Grants Workshop | Thursday 31 March 2022 | 10.30-11.30am
ECCV is holding an online Information Session for multicultural organisations interested in applying for the new round of Carer Support and Respite Grants from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
The Zoom session will provide an overview of the two grants on offer and an opportunity to ask questions of DFFH staff. Register through the link below. For further information please email Tonina Gucciardo-Masci, ECCV Ageing Well Lead or call 0478 218 564
WEBINAR | Women with disability and healthcare | Thursday 31 March 2022 | 1pm
Women with Disabilities Victoria is holding a free online workshop. Co-facilitated by women with disabilities, the workshop will offer insight into ways to navigate the healthcare system to cater for specific needs.
WORKSHOPPING | Raise our Voices for peer support groups
Raise Our Voices peer support groups continue to run monthly in Broadmeadows, Dandenong and St Albans, and are now also running in Pakenham. The program aims to develop self-advocacy skills and empower people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities living with disability.
ECCV presents self-advocacy workshops covering a range of topics, including self-advocacy and human rights, culture and disability, understanding the NDIS and other mainstream disability service supports.
The new Shepparton group will hold a self-advocacy workshop for its second session on 12 April.
Actor and autism advocate Michael Chan on neurodiversity
Actor and autism advocate Michael Chan has shared his experience with neurodiversity for the Speak My Language podcast series. Highlighting the role drama has played in broadening his horizons, meeting new people and gaining greater confidence, Michael hopes that his work will help others view disability differently. Michael says he owes much of his success to his work with Geelong's Back To Back Theatre, which this month won the 2022 International Ibsen Award, one of the world’s most prestigious theatre prizes.
Speak My Language is sharing the stories from people from culturally diverse backgrounds to help make Australia more inclusive.
People on the National Disability Insurance Scheme are getting easier and faster access to assistive technology (AT), such as manual wheelchairs, specialty beds and bathroom equipment. On 1 March, Minister for the NDIS, the Hon Linda Reynolds, announced an increase in the upper limit for automatic approval of AT purchases, from $5,000 to $15,000.
The National Disability Insurance Agency has summarised the changes in updated guidelines and a new participant factsheet, setting out what evidence participants need to provide and what to do before buying AT.
HEARING | Your say: From Participants Helping improve the NDIS
NDIS is looking for families, carers and people within the disability community willing to share their views about the best ways to improve how the NDIS works through the Participant First Engagement Initiative.
Participants will receive regular updates and invitations to provide feedback, complete surveys, join focus groups or take part in interviews, including some paid feedback opportunities. To join the Participant First program, fill in this form. Feedback is confidential and will not be reflected in personal NDIS records.
CALLING | Partners in the Community program expansion
The Australian Government is looking for community based organisations to help deliver the NDIS ‘Partners in the Community’ (PITC) program to further improve participant access to support in their local communities.
PITC Program providers are the primary contact for more than 70 percent of all NDIS participants, delivering local area coordination (LAC) and early childhood (EC) services on behalf of the NDIA, linking people with disability to the NDIS as well as to community and mainstream services.
The PITC Services will be delivered in 74 service areas across Australia for a five year period from July 2023. The NDIA tender and assessment process will run until late 2022.
ISSUING | Statement on Inappropriate use of Psychotropic Medicines
On 21 March 2022, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission issued a Joint Statement on the issue of inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines for people with disability and older people.
They agreed to work together with other key individuals and organisations within the health, aged care and disability sectors, to reduce inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines, and improve the quality and safety of health, aged care and disability supports.
CALLING | For Applicants to Join the Disability Advisory Council | applications close on 30 March 2022
The Victorian Government is calling for applications to join the Victorian Disability Advisory Council. The council is looking for up to 13 members and a chairperson. The roles are remunerated, and members will be appointed up to 30 July 2025.
Applications must be from people with disability who live in Victoria, or from Victorian residents who are carers of people with disability.
WEBINAR | Changing perceptions of blind people | Tuesday 5 April 2022 | 7.15-9pm
Blind Citizens Australia recently launched ‘An Eye to the Future Project 2.0,’ aiming to change perceptions about hiring someone who is blind, or vision impaired by highlighting the skills, knowledge, and diversity they can bring to a workplace. Find out more about the program at an online event which will also feature two speakers sharing their employment journeys.
WELCOMING | Basketball Game Inclusion Camp | Tuesday 19 April 2022 | two sessions
Welcoming Australia is running a free Inclusion Camp at Dandenong Basketball Stadium over the school holidays for children and young people from multicultural backgrounds with disability, autism or additional needs. Delivered in partnership with Ausome Hoops and Dandenong Basketball Association, the camp will run a session for 5-11 year olds and a session for children aged 12+.
- Register here or email Jessica or call 0411 097 762
STARTING | Change with your story: Share your Stories
The Disability Royal Commission would like to hear from people with disability from culturally diverse backgrounds who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, as well as their families, carers and support people. Submissions close on 30 June. Find out how to share your story here.
Disability Advocacy Network Australia is bringing disability advocates together at an online forum on Wednesday 6 April, looking for the stories that have yet to be heard, with a focus on key challenges and strategy development.
MAKING | Sense of the NDIS Podcast
The Summer Foundation's Reasonable & Necessary podcast series helps simplify the NDIS for participants, their families and anyone supporting NDIS participants. In the latest episode, host George Taleporos speaks with Therese Clark from Barwon Health to find out how people with disability can access free rapid antigen tests through the Victorian Government Disability Liaison Officer service.
CALLING | For Muslim-LGBT feedback to Faith & Sexuality project
People With Disability Australia is running a project on Faith and Sexuality to seek to understand and connect better with people with disability who identify as LGBT and Muslim. PDA is looking to hear from anyone who identifies as LGBT and Muslim - practising or not – and is interested in sharing (anonymously) their feedback on their needs.
- If you are interested in taking part in the project, email Liesl.
ISSUING | WWDA leadership statement
On International Women’s Day, Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) launched the WWDA LEAD Leadership Statement with a panel of women and non-binary people with disability, sharing a diverse range of experiences. Watch the webinar here. WWDA is holding a ‘First Nations Women & Gender Diverse People With Disabilities Yarning Circle’ on Friday 8 April and a peer networking session on Wednesday 20 April.
ENGAGING | Diversity and Disability YouTube Channel
Migrant Resource Centre North West Region - Diversity and Disability has restarted its YouTube channel on self-advocacy and information on everyday life issues for CALD people with disability.
- You can watch it live on Fridays fortnightly and on demand here.
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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