Welcome to the September Newsletter
Message from our CEO – Brendan Cullinan
People With disabilities WA (PWdWA) has been active in providing submissions over the past month relating to the Federal government’s response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review. Within a very tight time frame, PWdWA responded to the Consultation on draft lists of NDIS Supports and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Provider & Worker Registration. At a national level, Disability Advocacy Network Australia has commenced sector engagement on the Future Advocacy Project, which aims to prepare a vision for advocacy that addresses the needs of people with disability in the post-Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review era. PWdWA will seek to be actively involved in this project and will seek members’ views as required to inform us of our position.
Demand for our individual advocacy continues to grow as we continue to provide outreach service in the Peel region and successfully establish our service in the Wheatbelt with a full-time advocate.
The PWdWA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 30 October, and we are currently seeking Board nominations. I encourage anyone who is passionate about disability rights and has knowledge in areas such as finance, human resources, or law to consider applying.
PWdWA in Action
Expressions of Interest for PWdWA Board
The PWdWA is currently accepting expressions of interest for board members.
Nominees must be full members of PWdWA. Full members who receive our newsletter via email will have received the information last Thursday, and those who receive it via postal mail should have received it earlier last week.
Nomination forms can be accessed in Word or PDF format.
For alternate formats or assistance, please contact PWdWA at info@pwdwa.org or (08) 6243 6948. Nominations must be returned by 5:00 p.m. on September 27, 2024.
PWdWA Annual General Meeting
PWdWA’s AGM will be held on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, in the City West Lotteries House Conference Room. Registration will open at 5:00 p.m., and the meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is expected to finish at 7:00 p.m., and light refreshments will be served afterwards.
You can register by scanning the QR code, calling Vanessa at 08 6243 6948, or using the Humanitix link.
West Australian Medical Student Society Panel
Our Communications Officer will participate in a panel discussion on disability awareness at the University of Western Australia’s Medical Students Society. Vanessa will join Isabella Chortle and Suresh Rajan to discuss the language used around disabilities, awareness of hidden disabilities, and listening and speaking to people with disabilities.
Central Regional TAFE
PWdWA’s Wheatbelt Advocate, Joe, will host a table at the Central Regional TAFE’s NAIDOC day. The event will be held at the TAFE, 1 Hutt Street Northam, on Friday, 6 September. Joe will have a range of information flyers available.
WA Department of Finance Focus Group
On Friday, August 30, PWdWA’s Chair Nihal Iscel and our Communications Officer participated in a focus group to discuss how the State government’s supply chain can create more job opportunities for people with disabilities.
The discussion looked at what barriers people with disabilities faced when it came to employment, what could be done to remove them, and how different levers could contribute to growing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
A draft policy will be presented to Minister Ellery and the Cabinet for consideration by the end of the financial year.
Congratulations
PWdWA would like to extend our congratulations to all the participants of the 2024 Summer Paralympics. Over the 11 days, 4400 Paralympians will compete, showcasing their determination to be the best in their chosen sport.
PWdWA would also like to celebrate PWdWA member Elizabeth Edmondson PLY, who marks her 60th Anniversary of competing in her first Paralympics this year. An active member of PWdWA, Elizabeth won three gold medals and broke three world records in the 1964 Tokyo Paralympics.
PWdWA in Focus
PWdWA Outreach
As part of PWdWA’s commitment to providing access to advocacy for Western Australians with disabilities, we now have three advocates providing outreach services. Lisa is providing advocacy to Waroona and Pinjarra, while Joe is providing advocacy to the Wheatbelt. To find out the dates of their visits, please visit our Upcoming Events section on our website, www.pwdwa.org, to see the September dates, or contact Vanessa on 08 6243 6948 or vanessa@pwdwa.org.
Michele provides information, support, and referrals at the St Pat’s Community Centre, 12 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle, Wednesday’s from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Please contact 1300 193 331 for Michele’s schedule.
Current Issues
Nominations open for the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability
Disability Services Minister Don Punch is encouraging nominations for the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability in Western Australia.
The council represents people with disabilities and their families, providing advice and focusing on implementing the State Disability Strategy 2020-2030.
Applications are sought from people with disability, family members, carers and people with knowledge of and experience in disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.
Nominations are open until 5 p.m., 23 September 2024. For more information, visit the website.
Upcoming
PWdWA Outreach
Town |
Hosted at |
Dates |
| Merredin | Merredin Community Resource Centre | 17 September |
| Moora | Amity Health Moora | 9 September |
| Narrogin | Amity Health Narrogin | 1 October |
| Northam | Jobs and Skills, 1 Hutt Street, Northam | 26 September |
| Pinjarra | Murray House Community Centre | 12 September |
| Toodyay | Community Resource Centre | 25 September |
| Waroona | Waroona Community Resource Centre. | 5 &19 Sept. |
| York | York Community Resource Centre | 24 September |
PWdWA
Would you like your newsletters emailed rather than posted? Just let Vanessa know at vanessa@pwdwa.org.
- Mandurah Office: 22 Ormsby Terrace Mandurah – 08 6243 6948. By appointment only.
- Pilbara: 1800 193 331. Online appointments by arrangement at Pilbara Community Legal Services Karratha, Port Hedland, Roebourne, and Newman.
- Waroona and Pinjarra: 1800 193 331. By appointment only.
- Wheatbelt: 1800 193 331. By appointment only.
PWdWA is funded by the Western Australian Department of Communities and the Australian Department of Social Services.
PWdWA is run BY and FOR people with disabilities and aims to be the voice for all people with disabilities in Western Australia.
End of Newsletter