This forum series provides an opportunity for advocates to gain access to in depth expert knowledge on topical issues which directly impact on the practice of disability advocacy. Session resources are available online that include the livestream video, audio, transcript and useful links.
Locked in: Moving on COVID action for people with disability
When COVID-19 arrived on Australian shores in 2019, people with disability knew that they would be adversely affected. But their very real concerns were ignored which heightened the level of fear and sense of helplessness. From the outset, governments and service providers failed to consider what might be needed to keep people with disability safe. In frustration, disability peak bodies joined together to endorse an Open Letter to the National Cabinet outlining what immediate action was required. We’re now nearly 3 years on and so many issues raised have only been tinkered with at the edges.
In this session, Disability Advocate El Gibbs facilitates a panel discussion with sector leaders including:
- Lennille Lamb, National Policy Director, First Nations People with Disability Network
- Jamie Bannister, Communications and Engagement Manager, Inclusion Australia
- William Ward-Boas, Project Officer, VALID
- Dominic Golding, Policy Manager, National Ethnic Disability Alliance
Family violence response and people with disability
Disability Advocates are highly likely to identify family violence or receive disclosures of experiences of violence in their work. Rates of violence against people with disabilities are around twice as high as across the general population. Yet the links between the disability advocacy sector and the family violence response system is not clear.
Jen Hargrave from Women with Disabilities Victoria facilitated this session, bringing together key partners from the family violence response system including:
- Carmel Hennessy and Del Aulich, System navigators from The Orange Door intake service
- Natasha from the Disability Family Violence Crisis Response initiative, a brokerage fund hosted by Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre and
- Rachel Shulkes on legal supports from Women’s Legal Service Victoria
Go to family violence response session resource
- Author:
- DARU