Page 10 The Moorabool News – 17 May, 2022
News
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Raising awareness of Disability Royal Commission By Lachlan Ellis You might not be aware there’s a Disability Royal Commission going on right now, or what exactly the Commission is looking into – but free sessions running locally this month can help fill you in. Hosted by Grampians disAbility Advocacy (GdA), two community information sessions will be held in Daylesford on May 24, and in Bacchus Marsh on May 26. The sessions will run attendees through the ongoing ‘Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability’, and GdA hopes to see many people from the disabled community submit their experiences to the Commission. GdA Advocate Sherree Unwin, who is coordinating the information sessions, said the ideal outcome for the Commission would be “significant reform”. “People with disabilities are still excluded from places they should not be excluded from. They are still employed with a sub-par wage, taught in schools that don’t allow for different learning. We need to treat people with disabilities better, we need to use a human rights model,” Ms Unwin told the Moorabool News. “We would love for people to come and enjoy an afternoon tea and have a chat with us, learn about how we can potentially help them, and learn how they can tell their story safely, if that’s what they decide.” The sessions have been planned in response to a lack of awareness around the Disability
Royal Commission, and will feature five speakers: Ms Unwin, GdA’s Indigenous advocate, Michelle Bowler from Your Story Legal Support, Jo Sullivan from Blue Knot, and Mohamed Mustafa from the Disability Royal Commission. “We want to hear from people who have experienced mistreatment in the past, but also from those who have been well supported – the Commission is open to recommendations as well as stories about mistreatment,” Ms Unwin said. “We would love to hear more stories from people with disabilities, people who work in the disability system, people who support people with disabilities and people who have witnessed something. The Commission has incredibly broad subject and no one is limited.” The sessions will also provide an overview of the services offered by GdA, though the focus will be on the Disability Royal Commission. The Bacchus Marsh session will be held at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall on Thursday May 26 from 2–4 pm, while the Daylesford session will be held in the Paddock Room at Daylesford Neighbourhood House on Tuesday May 24 from 2–4 pm. Afternoon tea and door prizes will also be offered at the sessions. To register your attendance, phone 1800 552 272, or email admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au. For more information, visit www. grampiansadvocacy.org.au.
Community Information Sessions Grampians disAbility Advocacy invites you to a community information session about the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The Disability Royal Commission is taking submissions up until December 31, 2022. Speakers from advocacy, legal services, counselling and the Royal Commission will be there.
Sessions will be held at Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre 13 Camp Street, Daylesford
on May 24 2 - 4pm th
and
Bacchus Marsh Public Hall
207 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
on May 26th 2 - 4pm
Both sessions are free with afternoon tea provided and door prizes. Please register by phoning 1800 552 272 or via email admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au - Please advise of any dietary or access requirements -
(L-R): Fiona Tipping, GdA’s Indigenous Support Officer, Sherree Unwin, GdA advocate, and Michelle Bowler, Your Story Legal Support. Photo - submitted
Voices need to be heard
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of people with a Disability (DRC) is running until December 2022. At the end of September 2023, the Commission will present a report with recommendations to the government.
a poem, a video, written, by phone or a private session with a commissioner. Private session registration ends in June this year. The DRC has provided free and independent support for people wanting to tell their story, this includes advocacy, counselling and legal support.
We need help in collecting these stories, also known as submissions, to make sure everyone’s voices are heard, and Grampians disAbility Advocacy is the important matters are talked your local advocacy organization, and we are inviting you to an about. information session. We have You do not need to have a formal noticed that a lot of people diagnosis, the DRC is open to anyone particularly in rural Victoria are that identifies as having a disability, not aware of the Commission or including people with mental health not sure what its role is. We have diagnosis, also known as psychosocial decided to run these sessions in the disability. hope that people will come along The stories do not have to be limited to and hear what it is all about. your personal experience, we welcome submissions from family, carers, friends, support workers and service providers. We are interested in positive stories, what has worked well for you in the past, when have you been well supported. And recommendations, what would you like to see in the future in the disability space, what are the most pressing needs you have witnessed of people with disabilities? And also, stories about when you weren’t treated well. Submissions can look very different for each person, it could be a voice recording on your phone, a painting,
We have arranged speakers from each of the support agencies, GdA, Your Story Legal Support, Blue Knot counselling and a representative from the Disability Royal Commission. We invite you to come along, hear what the speakers have to say, ask any questions, and enjoy a free afternoon tea. We will be there afterwards to chat and connect, please register on the number below or via email.
1800 552 272
admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au