On June 3 and 4, the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) is partnering with the locally based Disability Advocacy NSW (DA) to deliver two days of free, engaging events in the Northern Rivers.
Organisers say the events are open to people with disabilities, their parents and informal carers, and disability service providers.
‘Now I can thrive… I wouldn’t have gotten there without the support I now have in place,’ says Tanya*.
Before being supported by the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN), Tanya used to have to choose between preparing a meal or having a shower.
She could not manage both on the same day. Knocked back twice by the NDIS, Tanya, a young survivor of stroke at only 25 years of age, eventually reached out to PDCN.
Guided all the way by lived experience peer mentor and educator, Adrian O’Malley, she was finally able to gain access to vital NDIS support after over two years of trying. As a result of her engagement with PDCN, Tanya has recently returned to the workforce and can once again contribute positively to Australian society.
Organisers say, ‘PDCN is the peak body representing, empowering and lobbying for the interests of the physical disability community in NSW. They know the many challenges and obstacles faced by people with disabilities and their families, and that these are even greater for people living in rural and remote areas’.
‘Recent important wins that PDCN has achieved for the disability community include securing a $15million funding package from the NSW government to improve the availability and quality of wheelchair accessible taxis. PDCN also secured a commitment from the NSW Government to develop the first ever NSW Disability Health Strategy to improve access to healthcare for people with disability in NSW, with PDCN co-chairing the NSW Disability Health Strategy Steering Committee. These are in addition to helping people across the state daily to overcome personal issues and achieve their goals through workshops, peer groups and individual peer mentoring’.
Over Wednesday 3 June in Tweed Heads and Thursday 4 June in Lismore, the two organisations will host networking events for disability service providers and run free interactive workshops for people with disabilities, their parents and informal carers.
Meet and mingle
Organisers say, ‘People with disabilities will also be able to enjoy “meet and mingle” lunches, morning and afternoon teas, and share experiences of living with disability in Northern Rivers during community consultation sessions. PDCN’s advocacy work is shaped by the voices of people with physical disability, and these consultations are paid opportunities for people with lived experience to contribute. Spaces are limited to 10 participants per session, so early registration is essential’.
‘Your voices, shared at these events, will highlight key issues that PDCN will take forward with local, state and federal governments. These insights will directly shape the priorities PDCN advances through its systemic advocacy work to make positive change for people with disabilities’.
To help build opportunities and remove barriers faced by people with disability living in regional and remote Australia, PDCN CEO, Ed Morris said, “We are committed to travelling across NSW and to collaborate with organisations on the ground in regional and remote areas to better engage with, empower and represent the physical disability community in each place. Your voice does and will make a difference.”
So come to learn, share your stories, amplify your voices, meet and mingle with the disability community, and leave feeling empowered.
For People with Disabilities, parents and carers, register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/PDCNNorthernRivers or call 1800 688 831.
For service providers, please contact [email protected]
*Name changed for privacy.
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