National Disability Services - NSW
Office: Level 4, 60 Pitt St Sydney 2000
Mail: PO Box R160, Royal Exchange NSW 1225
Phone: 02 9256 3111 Fax: 02 9256 3123
Email: ndsnsw@nds.org.au

NDS is undertaking a pilot project to develop resources which will support disability service providers to improve cultural competency in relation to Aboriginal people with a disability and their families. It will be piloted in the Sydney metropolitan regions and along the NSW South Coast to the Victorian border.

PAGE MENU

Invitation to Participate

Project Brochure

Consultative Committee

Consultations

Information & Resources

Events

Networks

Project Consortiums

Project Presentations

Consultation Thermometer

Project Reports

Contact Us

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

National Disability Services invites interested disability services and Aboriginal community services to participate in the project and join the local networks.

Local networks of disability services and Aboriginal communities will be established to support disability services connect with Aboriginal people with a disability and their families and carers. Their experiences will inform the development of online resources to assist all services connect with Aboriginal communities.

Information on the local networks, resources and case studies will be posted on this web page as available. Resources to be developed include:

• Three consultative reports.

• Local networks of disability service providers and Aboriginal community services supporting people with a disability. Reports documenting the achievements of networks will be developed.

• A website of resources which will be informed by the consultations and local networks. This website will also include a register of Aboriginal community services supporting people with a disability and participating mainstream disability services.

Download Aboriginal Resources & Pathways Project brochure (pdf)

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

NDS appointed a Consultative Committee in October 2007 to operate as the think-tank to achieve the objectives of the project. The Consultative Committee meets bi-monthly. View the Committee's Terms of Reference. Members on the committee are:

Sheree Freeburn, Aboriginal Development Officer, Carers NSW
Yvonne Weldon, Manager, Aboriginal Policy Unit, NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC)
Maree Mullins, CEO, The Junction Works
Joanne Scott, Aboriginal Community Development Officer, Shoalhaven City Council
Cathrine Dickson, Director Community Support Services, Disability Services Australia
Damien Griffis, Director, Aboriginal Disability Network
Neil Preston, CEO, Greenacres - Committee Chair

CONSULTATIONS - Meet with us to discuss initiatives & issues

05nov07_NDS Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Project – Consultations NDS

09dec08_Aboriginal Resources and Pathways – Local Networks of Disability Services and Aboriginal Communities

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Service delivery for Aboriginal People with a Disability and their Families, by John Gilroy (Disparity Vol 5 No 1 2008). This is journal article looks at some of the challenges disability service providers face in working with Aboriginal people with disabilities.

Strengthening Aboriginal Family Functioning: What Works and Why? by Roz Walker and Carrington Shepherd ( AFRC Briefing No 7 2008). In response to requests for current research to inform the development of tender applications, please see this paper on areas that must be considered in the development and implementation of programs targeted at Aboriginal families. There is further information on the Australian Institute of Family Studies under their Family Relationships Clearing House Project at www.aifs.gov.au/afrc/indigres.html. The resources on the FRCH website can help inform the content of government tender applications and improve cultural awareness in disability service providers.

Indigenous Small Grants Guidelines 2008. Indigenous Small Grants provides an opportunity for Indigenous organisations and organisations that work with young Indigenous people and communities to support new initiatives or expand existing successful initiatives. Applications can be made at any time. Grants offer a maximum of $5,000.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Project: Dreaming as One Uniting Care. Burnside research report. This is a great resource for HR staff of disability service providers to establish and implement strategies for the employment of Aboriginal people. The report discusses recruitment and retention strategies, organisational support, workforce development and areas to consider for inclusive service delivery for Aboriginal people and their families. This report is available at www.burnside.org.au//content/ATSI%20ONLINE.pdf

"Aboriginal People with Disabilities Getting Services Right” information package based in Western Australia through the Disability Services Commission

Service Provision for Aboriginal Community, John Gilroy, National Disability Services. The First Aboriginal Families and Communities Conference provided Aboriginal communities and community service providers the opportunity to discuss effective strategies in improving access to mainstream services in the areas of disability, health, early childhood intervention and family services. The conference organisers have posted the presenters’ papers online. These presentation papers will help disability service providers learn about how mainstream service providers have worked with Aboriginal communities to improve access to services for Aboriginal people. View other conference papers here.

Shoulder to Shoulder: Your Mob is With You
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
The publication is designed to assist families and carers of Aboriginal children or young people with disabilities. The package contains information about services available for carers of Aboriginal children and young people with disabilities. The package also contains a list of Aboriginal community managed services which support people with disabilities, their families and carers. “Shoulder to Shoulder” is a useful resource for disability service providers to learn about the experiences of families caring for an Aboriginal child or young person with disability. NDS was a member of the reference group that supported the development of the package.

EVENTS

* If you know of any events relevant to this project, please email john.gilroy@nds.org.au

Fairfield Local Aboriginal Access Group (FLAAG) 2nd Conference
12 - 14 November 2008 Stanwell Tops Conference Centre
Download Registration of Interest Flyer
Visit website www.woodville.org.au/flaag-conference-2008.htm
Contact: Jan Collie, Cabramatta Community Centre, email jan@cabracc.org.au
NDS NSW Info-e: 20oct08_Conference to improve cultural competence in service delivery for Aboriginal people


Shoalhaven Koori Elder’s & Parent Carers Information Workshop
4 December 2008
Committee Room, Nowra Show Ground
Download workshop flyer & contact details
View NDS NSW Info-e: 27nov08_Shoalhaven Koori Elder’s & Parent Carers Information Workshop

Disability Service Providers’ Expo for the Illawarra Aboriginal Community
10 December 2008
Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 22 Kenny St Wollongong
Download expo flyer & contact details


Yabun 2009 - A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
26 January 2008
Victoria Park, Broadway (north of the University of Sydney)
Phone: 9384 4000. Email yabun@gadigal.org.au Download flyer

NETWORKS

Over the course of consultations with disability service providers, it became apparent that there is a lack of knowledge on who to form relationships with in the Aboriginal community services sector. A first step for disability service providers could be to meet with members of Koori Interagencies, which are networks of Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people who work in the community services sector, including HACC and disability, specifically aimed at improving the provision of service delivery for local Aboriginal communities. Please see the links below for more information.

www.sydneykin.org.au/SouthEast - Koori South East Sydney Indigenous Interagency

www.sydneykin.org.au/LaPerouse/ - La Perouse Koori Interagency

www.sydneykin.org.au/Bankstown - Bankstown Koori Interagency

www.sydneykin.org.au/Southern - Southern Sydney Koori Interagency

www.sydneykin.org.au/Western - Western Sydney Koori Interagency

www.sydneykin.org.au/SouthWest - South Western Sydney Koori Interagency

NDS ABORIGINAL AND DISABILITY SERVICES COMMUNITY LOCAL NETWORKS

Download 2009 Local Network Meeting Dates here.

South West Sydney Aboriginal Carers Consortium

Terms of Reference

Minutes - 19 July 2008

Minutes - 18 August 2008

Minutes - 17 September 2008

Minutes - 27 October 2008

South West Sydney Aboriginal Carers Workshop 28 October 2008 - News Update

South West Sydney Aboriginal Carers Workshop 28 October 2008 - Flyer

South West Sydney Aboriginal Carers Consortium Brochure

Illawarra Region

Minutes - 8 September 2008

Minutes - 17 November 2008

Wollongong Group Consultations Summary

Sub-group for People with Additional Needs - Terms of Reference

Shoalhaven/ Jervis Bay Region

Wollongong Group Consultations Summary

SSCAP Working Groups Proposal

Minutes - 19 August 2008

Minutes - 11 November 2008

Bega Valley Aboriginal Disability Local Network

Minutes - 25 August 2008

Minutes - 29 September 2008

Minutes - 27 October 2008

Minutes - 24 November 2008

Draft Terms of Reference

Fairfield Local Aboriginal Access Group (FLAAG)

Description of FLAAG
See conference details under Events.

PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Select the link on the date to download available presentations.

Date and Presentation Links	Event & Contact	Location	Attendees
23 October 2007	Koori Aged and Disability Services Advisory Group Chris Bath 02 9698 7784	Redfern	20
31 October 2007	Western Sydney Koori Interagency Network Bob Leslie 02 9839 6167	Western Sydney	20
06 November 2007	Shoalhaven Aboriginal Safe Community Partnership Committee Ted Braddick	Shoalhaven	40
08 November 2007	Community Services’ CEO’s Forum Roger West 02 9555 4429	Sydney Metro	15
16 November 2007	NDS Southern Regional Meeting	Batemans Bay	10
23 December 2007	Southern Sydney Koori Interagency Network Debbie McCall 02 4620 1405	Campbelltown	30
01 February 2008	NDS Metro North Regional Meeting	Bankstown	43
06 February 2008	NDS Lower West Regional Meeting	Albury	17
12 February 2008	Sutherland Shire Disability Network Michelle Stokes 02 9710 0596	Sutherland	15
13 February 2008	Government Apology to Australia's Indigeneous Peoples	Canberra	n/a
19 February 2008 Presentation	NDS NSW State Conference	Sydney	400
20 February 2008	Northern Aboriginal HACC Gathering Nancy Blair 02 6562 5556	Ballina	30
28 February 2008	NSW Aboriginal HACC Gathering Christine Regan 02 92112599	Sydney Metro	25
29 February 2008	NDS New England North West Regional Meeting	Tamworth	21
04 March 2008	Southern Koori Interagency June Riemer 02 9528 0828	Janalli	25
01 April 2008	Southern Koori Interagency June Riemer 02 9528 0828	Janalli	25
09 April 2008	Southern Respite Foundations Conference Helen Becker 02 6298 0156	Batemans Bay	60
16 April 2008 Presentation	First National Indigenous Families and Community Strengths Conference Sarah Mason, Uni of Newcastle 02 4984 2554	Newcastle	TBC
17 April 2008	Fairfield Local Aboriginal Access Group Stella Hristias and Robby Bell 02 9724 3807	Villawood	15
21 April 2008	Aboriginal Consortium Debbie MacCall 02 4620 1405	Campbelltown	35
30 April 2008	NDS Hunter Regional Meeting	Maitland	30
08 May 2008	NDS Far North Coast Regional Meeting	Ballina	30
09 May 2008	NDS Southern Regional Meeting	Batemans Bay	20
14 May 2008 Presentation	NDS National Conference on Children & Young People with Disability & their Families	Melbourne	90
22 May 2008	NDS Metro South Regional Meeting	Bankstown	.45
23 May 2008 Presentation	IDEAS Expo 2008: Speak up - Be heard Diana Palmer 02 6947 3377	Queanbeyan	.15
28 May 2008	NDS Central & Upper West Regional Meeting	Dubbo	15
18 June 2008	NDS Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Group Consultation: Illawarra and Shoalhaven	Wollongong	37
19 June 2008	La Perouse Koori Interagency Network Meeting	La Perouse	20
19 June 2008	Fairfield Local Aboriginal Access Group Stella Hristias 02 9724 3807	Villawood
20 June 2008	DADHC Southern Aboriginal Advisory Group Carey Brandy 02 6200 7300	Goulburn
22 August 2008	NDS Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Group Consultation: Eurobodalla	Batemans Bay
13 November 2008	Fairfield Local Aboriginal Access Group Stella Hristias 02 9724 3807	Villawood

CONSULTATION THERMOMETER - 116!

This thermometer below registers the total number of service visits, meetings, consultations and events since September 2007 attended by the NDS Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Project Manager as at 08 October 2008.

PROJECT REPORTS

Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Project: Emerging findings from the DADHC Metro South Consultations and the Development of Disability Services and Aboriginal Community Local Networks: Summary Report One

10june08_ Aboriginal Resources and Pathways (ARP) Project moves to the next phase (News Update)

06mar08_Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Project Quarterly Status Report

08oct07_NDS has commenced its Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Project