Disability matters at the upcoming federal election
The NDIS has been a major focus during the federal election campaign, as Australians prepare to go to the polls on 21 May. Both major parties have committed to supporting the NDIS, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg saying the NDIS would always be fully funded under the Coalition, while Labor's NDIS spokesperson Bill Shorten, pledged a sweeping review if elected.
Disability advocacy groups have been putting election promises under scrutiny and raised highlighted issues with the system. Every Australian Counts, the grassroots campaign that led to the introduction of the NDIS, held a national day of action on 28 April as part of its ‘Defend our NDIS’ campaign. People with Disability Australia, presented its 2022 Federal Election Platform, while the National Ethnic Disability Alliance survey is a part of its upcoming 2022 election platform.
AEC guide to voting for people with disability
In the lead up to the federal election, the Australian Electoral Commission has set up an online hub for people with disability or mobility restrictions. The hub includes information on alternative voting processes, accessibility of polling places and how to get support to ensure you cast your vote on 21 May.
Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on People with Disability
ECCV’s Statewide Disability Network is holding an online forum on Tuesday 24 May to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of people with disability from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The forum will bring together experts including mental health care providers, practitioners and people with lived experience.
The Statewide Disability Network will also be holding its monthly meeting tomorrow, where guest speaker Daniel Stubbs, Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner and Head of the Commission, will be presenting on the importance of regulating the conduct of disability workers across the state.
- If you would like to join the Network or tomorrow's meeting, email Disability Advocacy Coordinator Nimo Hersi.
Empowering people through sport and English skills
The Speak My Language podcast series shares inspiring stories from people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, highlighting the different aspects of living with disability.
An anonymous Nepali storyteller, who founded an inclusive football club so people with disability who are interested in sport can connect socially, tells his story in Nepali here. In another episode, ECCV Traveller Charmaine Chan interviews Yuli Liang about her work at Melbourne Polytechnic providing support to migrant students through the free AMEP English course. Listen in Cantonese here.
Raise Our Voices program back to face-to-face sessions
ECCV's Raise Our Voices program is excited to return to face-to-face workshops after almost 12 months of holding online workshops due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The first in-person session was held by the Dandenong peer support group on 20 April, which welcomed new facilitator, Nyrob Majak, and focused on addressing professional boundaries and the challenges of coming back to the office after a long period working from home.
The Broadmeadows peer support group also held an in-person session today, focusing on self-advocacy and navigating the NDIS.
- To find out more about peer support groups and ECCV workshops, contact Project Officer Youssif Assafiri on 0466 448 315.
- Read more
NDIS | ANNOUNCING | Changes to Supported Independent Living
A series of changes to NDIS home and living supports, which aim to improve the delivery of services and reduce red tape, were announced by the Minister for the NDIS Linda Reynolds on 6 April. The changes include a simplified claiming process to reduce administrative burden, payments in limited circumstances, where a participant unexpectedly leaves shared accommodation, as well as clear and transparent processes when supported independent living needs and funding levels change significantly.
NDIS | ANNOUNCING | New NDIA Engagement Framework
The NDIS has presented a new National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Engagement Framework, co-designed with disability sector representatives. The new Framework has been developed to make sure the views and experiences of people with disability underpin the NDIA’s decisions.
NDIA | APPOINTING | Denis Napthine as Chair
Former Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine AO has been appointed as Chair of the NDIA Board, and will serve a three year term. As Premier, Dr Napthine led the state government to sign the NDIS Agreement with then Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
NDIS | GUIDING | Understanding employment supports
The NDIS has launched a new guide for understanding employment supports, designed to help participants, their families and carers think about what employment supports might best suit their individual needs. Developed in partnership with participants and disability groups, the guides covers seven key areas from "Thinking about your career" to "Changing jobs".
WWDA | ENGAGING | Women with disability focus groups
Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), Harmony Alliance and National Ethnic Disability Alliance have joined forces to conduct a focus group series for women, girls, and non-binary people with disability, who are willing to share their stories, experiences, and ideas about what can be done to improve access to disability supports and services.
ADEC | ENGAGING | NDIS education workshops in Melton
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC) is holding a series of NDIS education workshops in Melton. Specifically designed for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, the workshops aim to help participants, their family and carers to improve their knowledge and skills around NDIS.
VIC | GOV | CALLING | Nominations for Victorian Disability Awards 2022 | nominations deadline has been extended to midnight Thursday 5 May 2022
Now in their 11th year, the Victorian Disability Awards aim to honour the achievements and contributions of individuals, teams and organisations that promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability.
SARU | RELEASING | Live Our Lives: a catchy hit
We love the 'Live Our Lives,' music video that Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) has made with Queensland-based band, The Outsiders, about coping with the stresses of COVID-19. SARU supports Victorian self-advocacy groups that are run by and for people with intellectual disability, people with acquired brain injury and people with complex communication support needs.
- Watch the video (4 mins)
ABC | REPORTING | People with disability severely underpaid
A Victorian man with intellectual disability who was paid $2.50 per hour for work in a warehouse was among the Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) employees who appeared before the Disability Royal Commission to share their experiences. ADEs provide supported employment for people with moderate to severe disability, and can legally pay their workers as little as $2.27 per hour, a practice that has been described as modern slavery.
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Getting your #thirddosedone
COVID-19 can make anyone sick, but if you’re living with disability, the risk of serious illness is much higher. If it's been three months or more since your second dose, it's time to get your third dose now to stay COVIDSafe this winter and protect yourself against serious illness and long-term health effects.
AUST | GOV | HEARING | Your say: transport reform
The Australian Government is seeking feedback on proposed reforms of public transport standards. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) require all of Australia's public transport networks and infrastructure to be fully accessible by the end of 2022 (2032 for trains and trams).
BTBT | PRESENTING | Back to Back Theatre in The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes
Geelong-based Back to Back Theatre (BTBT) are back in Australia after a tour of the USA and Europe, where they won the prestigious 2022 Ibsen Award. The groundbreaking theatre company, which features an ensemble of actors who all live with disability, will present their new play The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes this month.
WEBINAR | Information session for NDIS providers | Wednesday 18 May 2022
The NDIS is holding an online information session for new providers. The session will cover NDIS Pricing Agreements and Pricing Limits, using the myplace provider portal, service agreements and bookings, and more.
- Register here or contact events@ndis.gov.au (with the session name in the subject line) for further enquiries.
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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