Advocacy Development Project

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MDAA works together with people from a NESB with disability to enhance their capacity to speak up for themselves. We work towards positive change in attitudes and increased awareness within communities, with a focus on disability and ethnic communities. We do this through community information days, training and information sessions for people with disability.

Many of these activities are undertaken in collaboration with other agencies. If you are interested in working with us on an advocacy development project, please email us.

Ethno-specific Information Days

MDAA works closely with many different ethnic communities to enhance knowledge about disability and disability services in different communities. Please check the events page for upcoming info days.

2008

Upcoming Forums

2007

1. Election Seminar, 19 February: We held an election seminar to help people better understand the structure of the NSW Government, Voting options, Election process and How to fill out ballot papers.
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2. Knowing about my Culture Forum and training 'Communicating with People from Different Cultures',
2 March: MDAA clients and members sharing their cultures. Trainer was Maria Katravesis.

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3. Services for People with Disability Forum, 27 April: Department of Ageing Disability and Homecare talking about their services for people with disability.

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4. Exploring Arts Forum, 18 May: Exploring Arts: We had an arts activity which involved glass painting turning an ordinary cup or glass into a colourful and expressive piece of craft.

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5. 'Knowing your Rights' Forum, 26 June: A forum which is important for our consumers who usually miss out on important information about important things they need to know. We covered general questions about disability and discrimination such as: What is disability and discrimination? Indirect and direct discrimination What is my right? Who can help me? The presentation was run by Amy McGowan a project worker from NSW Council for Intellectual Disability. A follow-up session will be organised in the future.

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6. "Planning for Your Future Conference" at Parramatta Town Hall, on Tuesday 24 July: Katrina Clarke, President of the NSW Association for Children with a Disability, was the guest speaker and she talked about Disability Trusts. Four workshops were also held:

1. Looking After your Money Matters: Therry Sorrell from Centrelink

2. Health Needs - Caring for Carers: Grace Chan, Multicultural Carers Development Coordinator of Carers NSW

3. Aids/Equipment and Modifications: Jaie Thompson Ocupational Therapist from Northcott Society Outreach Team

4. Health Issues for People with Disability: Dr Marina Baita, General Practitioner of the Centre for Developmental Disability Studies

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7. Members and Consumers Consultation: On 27 September MDAA held a consultation with members and consumers to know what they wanted MDAA to do in the next three years.

8. Ombudsman Consumer Forum: How to Make a Complaint: On 12 October MDAA held a Consumer Forum at Harris Park called "The right stuff - Tips for making complains". Betsy Coombes, a Team leader at the Ombudsman Office, talked about how to complain. The forum was officially opened by MDAA Community Voices Nidhi Shekaran. She welcomed Betsy and 24 consumers and members of MDAA.

For two hours Betsy discussed rights, building a positive relationship with services, complaint processes and resolving problems with other services. The meeting was very informative and all participants were actively involved in asking questions. During discussion time the participants had a chance to tell their personal experiences, share stories and find out what to do in future.

Consumer Opinion: "The role of the Ombudsman's Office was explained very well and also the presenter involved the whole group in the discussion. It was beneficial for clients to see and feel that they were not the only ones who are in this situation. The speaker was very open and made me feel very welcome. It was a good reminder of disability rights. It would be good to have language brochures.

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9. Arabic, Chinese & Vietnamese Communities Community Participation, 13 November, MDAA and the Chinese Australian Services Society (CASS) organised an Information Day for the Chinese community in Campsie about programs and services available for children and young people with disability.

It was a great opportunity for young people with disability aged 5 to 25 and their families to learn how to maintain and develop life skills and increase independence through leisure, recreational, social and cultural activities.

Twelve parents of children and young people with disability heard from guest speakers from the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care and the Department of Education and Training about the Community Participation Program and other services available for children and young people with disability and their families. CASS and MDAA representatives also explained their services and discussed relevant Centrelink entitlements. MDAA was represented by Vanco who is one of our Individual Advocates and Luis and Nidhi from our Community Voices Project.

There were two other similar Information Days arranged by MDAA in partnership with other organisations; one on 1st November for the Vietnamese community and another one on 14 November for the Arabic community.

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10. Election Forum on 16 November: Representatives of political parties came to present their platforms for people with disability.

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