Historic Partnership Delivers Information on Disability Inclusion in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities
Peter Doukas, OAM of the Ethnic Communities’ Council NSW is proud to announce a partner agreement between all State and Territory Ethnic and Multicultural Communities’ Councils across Australia that will deliver information to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities about resources available to support disability inclusion.
“The Speak My Language (SML) program: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities talking about living well with a disability, is a national initiative that involves people with disabilities from diverse communities and their supporters sharing real stories about how to access mainstream and community based resources to support living well”, said Mr Peter Doukas.
Along with additional interviews from guest speakers, SML will provide practical tips on how to find and access inclusive places, people and events, regardless of whether a person has an NDIS individualised package. Information will be provided in up to 25 community languages and delivered via podcast, broadcast and online.
The ECCNSW CEO, Ms Mary Karras, “We are looking forward to working with Indigenous leaders to extend these opportunities to their communities.”
“Every Commonwealth and State/Territory agency and service system is required by law to work towards greater inclusion of people with disabilities”, explained the SML National Program Manager Jenny Bray. “As the peak bodies for Multiculturalism in each State and Territory, ECCs/MCCs are well connected to providers of health, education, transport, housing, child care, employment and local government services, and obviously are also exceptionally well connected to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities across their respective States and Territories. ECCs/MCCs are perfectly placed to connect local Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and these everyday supports, and to help sustain those connections.”
For general information go to the SML website or email info@speakmylanguage.com.au.
If you would like to get involved in SML to tell your story or to be a guest speaker, contact Jenny Bray, Speak My Language National Program Manager, Ph 0428 145 219 or Email jenny.bray@eccnsw.org.au
For information about SML in your State or Territory, contact one of the National SML Partners:
- Ethnic Communities Council of NSW - ECCNSW
- Ethnic Communities Council VIC - ECCV
- Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland - ECCQ
- Ethnic Communities Council of Western Australia - ECCWA
- Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia - MCCSA
- Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory - MCNT
- Multicultural Council of Tasmania - MCOT
This project is funded by the Department of Social Services under the NDIS Information Linkages and Capacity Building Framework.
Key Points of Difference
To Improve knowledge about disability and/or where to find support from mainstream and community services.
- A focus on information to support inclusion and access to mainstream community based supports
- Include but not focus on the NDIS (we compliment & refer people to other initiatives e.g. Connectors)
- Illustrate capacity building and seek to build capacity in the audience
- Seek to build the capacity of all who come into contact with the program – individuals, families, communities, organisations (including yours)
Would you like to get involved?
SML would love to get connected with you. If you are interested in participating in the major roll out next year as a Traveller, Guest Speaker or Storyteller and would like more information on the SML website or have a question please send an email to info@speakmylanguage.com.au