2.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse groups
On average over four years, disability advocacy organisations recorded 3.3 per cent of clients as being from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
On average over four years, disability advocacy services recorded 9.3 per cent of clients as being from a culturally or linguistically diverse background.
The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse people varies from quarter to quarter, but there is no observable trend or pattern.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse people in the State Disability Plan
The Victorian State Disability Plan 2017-20 commits to a range of activities to support Aboriginal health and wellbeing, including:
- Working with the National Disability Insurance Agency to implement strategies to support Victorian Aboriginal communities during transition by fostering and supporting self-determined, place Aboriginal disability coordination and planning networks
- Exploring options for expanding the Balit Narrum model for Aboriginal disability networks
- Support and build the disability service capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
The Plan also commits to work with partners to better respond to the needs of people with a disability from refugee backgrounds, including working with key partners and supporting the Victorian Refugee Health Network. It also includes targeted strategies to engage and provide advocacy support to diverse and hard to reach groups of people with disability.