NEDA launched its Community Radio Engagement Project in 2020, running for 12 weeks from mid-March to mid-June. The project aimed to raise awareness about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, particularly refugees and humanitarian entrants, who often find it hard to access disability services due to difficulty navigating the system.
The campaign involved radio broadcasts in Sydney and Melbourne including short advertisements, podcasts and interviews designed to provide practical information about accessing NDIS services and reduce the stigma around disability. Consultations with CALD community members helped tailor messaging for cultural relevance and sensitivity.
The use of radio, a trusted medium in many CALD communities, was chosen to increase NDIS awareness and participation by approximately 10% in targeted areas. The project highlighted the importance of easy-to-understand language and the use of interpreters to help people with limited English skills access the information and services they need.
Audience reach by language
| City | Language | Estimated Population | Reach (People) | Reach (%) |
| Melbourne | Arabic | 776,273 | 465,763 | 60% |
| Assyrian and Chaldean | 15,300 | 9,180 | 60% | |
| Farsi | 34,768 | 20,860 | 60% | |
| Burmese | 4,003 | 3,202 | 80% | |
| Sydney | Arabic | 194,049 | 116,429 | 60% |
| Assyrian and Chaldean | 29,556 | 17,733 | 60% | |
| Farsi | 33,995 | 20,397 | 60% | |
| Burmese | 4,402 | 3,521 | 80% |
The report assumed listenership rates based on audience data and historical trends from the radio stations, e.g. 3ZZZ and 2MFM, involved in the campaign.
