Media Release: Governments fail Disability Royal Commission accountability test as disability coalition releases independent report card

We were saddened by the passing of Jiva Parthipan in October 2025 – a multidisciplinary artist, curator whose work resonated locally and internationally. As cultural development officer at STARTTS in Dharug Country (Western Sydney), Jiva’s work broadened opportunities and engagement for artists from diverse emerging communities.

Jiva’s creative spark, thoughtful feedback, and generosity enriched NEDA’s Inclusive Arts Project Advisory Group. We were fortunate to be one of the many communities he supported through his insight, humour, beauty, and warmth. His presence was a bridge between cultures and art forms. His legacy continues to inspire cross-cultural collaborations and boundary-pushing artistic practice.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing significant reforms. To ensure the scheme is effective for all NDIS participants, people with disability and their families need to be informed and empowered to make decisions regarding what types of supports they require to live their life. NEDA was instrumental in establishing the NDIA’s CALD Advisory Reference Group and will continue to play a lead role in this process to ensure the voices of CALD participants and their families are heard. NEDA works with Government and other key organisations across the disability sector to remove the barriers to access and equity, and to enable people with disability, particularly culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) participants, to experience the full benefits of the NDIS.

Australian Disability Strategy (ADS) is Australia’s key national policy framework for protecting, promoting and fulfilling the human rights of people with disability. All Australian governments have agreed that the NDS is the mechanism to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and to report to the United Nations against progress in achieving the CRPD. Much more work is needed to build a comprehensive framework that leverages reform across Commonwealth, state and territory Governments.

Stephen Lin has lived in Canberra for 7 years, working in both community and public sectors.

He has dedicated himself to promoting inclusion and equity for people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and gained years of experience in disability advocacy and community support across Queensland and the ACT.

Before moving to the ACT in 2018, Stephen served in and managed multiple Queensland’s community legal centres as Generalist Solicitor, Managing Solicitor, Principal Legal License holder, Responsible Person for professional indemnity insurance, Non-Profit Migration Agent, Disability Advocate, and Multicultural Projects Manager, focusing on family law, traffic offences, neighbourhood disputes, community legal education, human rights, systemic disability advocacy, and mental health.

Stephen remains a Life Member of the Chinese Economics Society Australia, to keep his finger on the pulse of economical cooperation, industry subsidies and trade issues between the two countries.

He continues to contribute to wider discourse on social policies and law reforms.

Favour is a healthcare professional with over 20 years of nursing experience spanning three continents. She is a clinical oncology nurse passionate about making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those in her care. A growth and development enthusiast, Favour constantly engages in career and individual development.

Favour’s life experiences and professional background in oncology nursing, clinical coaching and education equip her to support patients and other healthcare workers and volunteers navigating complex systems.

Favour is a committed community leader who brings devotion, passion, and humility to supporting multicultural communities in Tasmania. She currently serves as Vice President of the African Communities Council of Tasmania (ACCT), Board member and Secretary of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCoT), and Board Director with Volunteer Tasmania.

With a deep passion for equity, inclusion, and empowerment, Favour is a multicultural advocate who actively champions programs that promote cultural diversity, health education, and support for migrants and emerging community leaders.

Favour is a cofounder of Crystal Connect Care, a Disability-support company, and an experienced event planner.

Known for her warmth, vision, and collaborative spirit, she continues to play a vital role in building resilient and culturally responsive communities across Tasmania.

Favour is the supportive wife of David and a mum to 4 beautiful kids.

Youssif Assafiri is a passionate advocate in the community development sector, with a dedicated focus on disability inclusion and empowerment. He currently serves in multiple impactful roles: ILC Project Officer at the Migrant Resource Centre Northwest Region, Part-Time Support Worker at Amalcare Disability Services, and Disability Project Officer at the Ethnic Community Council of Victoria.

Holding a Diploma of Community Services and a suite of specialised training credentials, Yousif combines professional expertise with deep empathy. His work is rooted in fostering inclusive environments, strengthening community ties, and championing equitable access for individuals with disabilities.

From 2019-2020, Yousif contributed his strategic insight as a member of the Darebin Access and Inclusion Committee, collaborating with council representatives to shape more accessible and inclusive initiatives across Victoria.

Emmanuel Asante is a Ghanaian-Australian visual artist and advocate, serving as a board member of We Are Studios, a disability-led artist studio in Western Sydney. He is dedicated to enhancing the representation of African artists, often addressing challenges related to mental health and disability within his community. Emmanuel actively facilitates workshops and mentors emerging artists, striving to create safer and more inclusive artistic environments. He was honoured with the 2024 Creative Australia Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development, and in 2019 he received both the Young Achievement Award in Creative Arts and the Young Achiever Award at the African Australian Awards.

M. Sunflower is an artist with disability and descendant of the Aboriginal Warmuli people of the Dharug Nation. With lineage from Lebanese post-Palestine War migrants, Chinese gold rush emigrants, and a UK convict, she embodies the diverse ancestral legacy of Australia’s complex colonial past. Her interdisciplinary practice encompasses drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video, fashion, and installation, which she uses as activism to bring visibility to issues related to identity, trauma, and disability. M. Sunflower has served as a Co-Director at Firstdraft, an Access Advisory with Accessible Arts, a Peer Assessor for various Arts Organisations, and is founder and curator of Off the Wall Gallery.

Jessica Kejun Xu is a social researcher, creative educator and artist working to support access and equity in community spaces based on Turrbal and Yuggera Country, and the Eora Nation. Jess facilitates connections across cultures, generations and workplaces, with an aim to collaborate, (re)imagine and (re)structure work to support cultural safety, thriving beyond barriers, and transformative communities. Their belief in the power of connective care and transformative creativity steers her experiences in delivering arts and science programs at Pine Rivers Art Gallery and Burra Learning Place, community engagement initiative with Belvoir Theatre, and equity research and program support with Diversity Arts, Accessible Arts, and the Human Rights Commission

Martha Bizimana began her artist journey after completing her high school education. Inspired by the opportunity to be featured in the Creative Generation exhibition, her work ‘The gaze’ at the Queensland, Gallery Of Modern Art (QGOMA) in  2020. Martha has since then been featured in different exhibitions at the Queensland College of Art & Design (QCAD), while also completing her Bachelor of Visual Arts. Martha’s practice is interested in exploring her African heritage, Christian faith and her experience as an African/Australian woman.

Maya Sollier is of Japanese and French descent who brings over 15 years of experience in facilitating art workshops. Maya’s practice spans visual arts and performance, with a focus on therapeutic art. She is an art therapy facilitator at Scope St Albans, where she incorporates her therapy dog Rainy into her workshops. Maya has collaborated on numerous solo and community projects with local councils and artists, contributing to both exhibitions and creative programming. Her academic achievements include completing a Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy at Phoenix Institute (now Ikon). Through her work with Yooralla’s Arts Circle and other initiatives, Maya continues to champion creativity as a tool for connection and healing.

Yasmine Hosseini is a musician of Persian heritage and a fluent Farsi speaker. Since 2021, she has hosted and performed at music events focusing on creating safe and accessible spaces for independent artists, as well as coordinated fundraising compilations for family and domestic violence services. As a current Strategic Projects Officer, and former mentor and instrument instructor, with Girls Rock! Canberra, Yasmine supports gender-diverse young people in music and the broader community. She is also a co-founder of Undine Records, an artist collective and community event organiser operating in both the ACT and Victoria, and has performed as a DJ with Vessel DJ Collective. 

Alimul Al Tasin is the Director of Client Services at DADAA, a leading not-for-profit organisation advancing disability-led practices and inclusive arts. With over 16 years of experience in the not-for-profit and government sectors, he specialises in operations, business development, and strategic planning to drive meaningful social impact. As a Muslim of Bangladeshi origin, Alimul is passionate about addressing the barriers faced by culturally and racially marginalised people with disability in accessing the arts. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership and Management and is pursuing an MBA at UWA. His leadership promotes equity, creativity and inclusion across diverse communities.

Rafeif Ismail is an award-winning emerging multilingual storyteller and editor based in Boorloo, WA. Rafeif’s work has been published in anthologies and literary magazines across Australia and internationally, with a debut novel forthcoming. Deeply committed to creating diverse works, spaces and ethical storytelling, Rafeif is the current managing director of Djed Press and co-founder of Long Trek Press.

An Economist and Policy Advisor by profession, Dr Madhumita IYENGAR is a passionate advocate of women empowerment. Dr Iyengar is the Chair of Canberra Multicultural Community Forum Inc (known as CMCF), a peak body of 120+ multicultural community organisations in ACT. She is also the Founder Chair of Initiatives For Women In Need (known as IWiN) in 2013, ACT’s first organisation to support and advocate for disadvantaged multicultural women and create a culturally safe networking platform for them. Since then, she has consistently advocated for multicultural women experiencing domestic violence, gender inequality, racism and discrimination, job market barriers and delivered many outcome focussed innovative community projects. Madhumita is widely recognised for her long-standing commitment in community services in ACT and was awarded 2019 ACT Multicultural Champion (Individual) Award. She was also a Nominee of 2024 ACT Woman of the Year and a Finalist of the 2025 Australian of the Year (ACT Local Hero), in recognition of her contribution to improving life and status of women and girls in the ACT region.

Dominic Golding is a Vietnamese-Australian artist and disability advocate. Evacuated from Saigon during the Vietnam War as part of ‘Operation Babylift’, he was adopted by an Australian family in Mount Gambier. Dominic holds an Advanced Diploma in Acting and Honours in Directing and Politics from Flinders University. He has extensive experience working with refugee and asylum seeker communities through arts and research projects. Dominic has produced plays such as Shrimp and Umbilical, which explore his Vietnamese identity and experiences of disability.  

Carly Findlay is an award-winning writer, speaker, arts worker and appearance activist based in Melbourne. Voted one of Australia’s most influential women in 2014; nominated for Changemaker in Marie Claire’s Women of the Year Awards in 2023 and awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM )in 2020 for her advocacy work within the disability space, she is passionate about representation, and challenging the limited expectations society has of people with disabilities. She authored the memoir Say Hello, edited the anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia, and a contributor to Growing Up African in Australia. Carly also works as an Access And Disability Lead at Melbourne Fringe. https://carlyfindlay.com.au/ @CarlyFindlay

Jan joined NEDA Council/Board of Directors in 2024.

With a background of linguistics, research journalism, human rights activity and advocate for the Cultural Diversity and human rights with local and international organisations and agencies Including UN and UN women.

Jan has worked as cultural advisor, diversity advocate speaker/presenter, Journalist and linguist for over 20 years. In addition to his NEDA role, Jan is a non-executive director at Tasc National Board, Manager at Cosmos Community Care and a member of CALD advisory team at Australian War Memorial.

Jan has qualifications in English Language and Literature, Leadership and management and he is graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors GAICD.

Lara is the Governance and Executive Officer. Lara joined NEDA with extensive experience working for and with not-for-profit organisations, most recently as a Governance Officer.

During this time Lara has worked closely with organisations supporting the disability sector including Music for Canberra and their Music for All Abilities program and Rebus, a mixed-ability theatre company stimulating social change and healing through theatre.

The child of immigrant parents, including her father from a non-English speaking background, Lara shares experience of a culturally and linguistically diverse background which supports her advocacy and commitment in the CALD space.

Lara graduated from the ANU (Australian National University) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Brahmmi joined NEDA as a Senior Project Officer in September 2024.

With over a decade of engagement in advocacy, focusing on disability, race, class, and gender concerns, Brahmmi brings an in-depth understanding of the social determinants of health. This is complemented by her role as a Casual Part-Time Academic at the Sydney School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney.

Brahmmi had the privilege of championing equitable access to arts and culture as Policy Adviser at Creative Australia and as Project Manager of Accessible Arts’ Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program in 2021. She also co-founded the Women of Colour & Non-binary People of Colour Career Network in 2017, a digital space that now supports over 1,500 individuals.

These experiences, along with Brahmmi’s lived experience of neurodivergence and chronic health management, equip her with a broad knowledge base and drive to strive for equity.

Brahmmi holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of New South Wales.

Adam joined NEDA in September 2024 as the Director of Projects, Partnerships and Consultancies. Adam has extensive experience in project management and leadership roles in the international aid and community sectors.

Adam has worked as the Deputy CEO at the peak bodies for social service and for alcohol and other drugs in the ACT, successfully leading complex projects and partnerships. He has a consistent track record of leading project teams to manage projects and consultancies effectively and secure new funding.

Adam will oversee delivery of NEDA’s projects, including the Inclusive Arts project funded by the Department of Social Security, and the development of new funding opportunities. He will work closely with Brahmmi Kumarasamy, our Senior Project Officer, and the Projects Team may grow as we secure new funding.

Adam grew up with a brother with an intellectual disability and has worked as a disability support worker. Although not from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, Adam has extensive experience with various CALD communities and speaks five foreign languages well. Adam holds a Masters in Geography from Cambridge University, and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management.

Andrea is a writer and researcher with a degree in psychology and a background in mental health policy. Their previous position was as a Data and Policy Officer at the National Mental Health Commission. Prior to this, they co-authored the report It’s Tough Out There which examined suicide prevention programs for workers in high-risk industries, and has volunteering experience as an ESL coach for parents with young children.

Andrea identifies as a neurodivergent person with lived experience of a mental health condition, and is a child of immigrant parents from non-English speaking backgrounds. At NEDA Andrea is part of our policy team, and also our project officer for the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health project.

Dr. Jade Qi Li has been active in the Tasmanian multicultural community since 2019. Trained as a geographer and a journalist, Jade is passionate about social inclusion and multicultural community development. She started her community work in Hobart from teaching English to migrant Chinese seniors, to tackling key challenges in the general multicultural community, such as discrimination, and limited opportunities of professional employment. Jade is the Vice Chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania. Her work in employment support has connected her with many front-line workers in the disability-support sector. Jade continuously advocates for bridging the cross-cultural barriers for this cohort.

Angelo is a 64-year old male of Italian parents born with a condition known as dystonia. He was born and bred in the Midland area. He has been involved in the disability field for 35 years, both in paid employment and as a volunteer. He is currently working as a community support worker for YouMeWe plus in Perth. At both State and Federal level, he has been involved on various boards of organisations.

Neha holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, and a Master of International Relations, where her research focused on human rights, human security, and refugee policy.

Neha joined NEDA in August 2019 to help manage the Community Radio Engagement Project, which focused on creating awareness about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services amongst people with a disability from refugee backgrounds. The project used a co-design format to engage with speakers of Arabic, Farsi, Assyrian, Chaldean, Burmese, and English in Sydney and Melbourne.

Over the years, she has taken on various roles and currently works as the Director of Strategy and Partnerships, where she leads systemic advocacy, research, and policy work for NEDA. Additionally, she manages stakeholder engagement and ensures that NEDA’s systemic advocacy, policy, and project work align with its strategic priorities.

Her experience includes working as a settlement officer, leading national-level programs, supporting legal literacy programs and legal aid camps, and advocating for the human rights of individuals.

Individual and Systemic Advocacy

Kin can advocate in areas such as the justice system, health-care, education, child-care, employment, housing, transport and more. For more information on individual advocacy and systemic advocacy please head to our website – Home – KIN (kinadvocacy.org.au).

For inquiries or advocacy assistance, please phone 9388 7455 or 1800 659 921.

Kin is funded by Department of Social Services and Department of Communities (Office for Disability).

Kin can help by providing information regarding services, community support groups and government agencies/policies and liaising with these agencies. Fill in the referral form online.

Kin can also assist in referrals to other services.

Our Mission

Kin vigorously seeks to promote, protect and safeguard the rights and interests of people with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CaLD), their families/carers and community in order for them to live a life full of possibility.

Grace (she/her) is a disabled, queer and neurodivergent cis woman who values partnership, agency, and connection through story. Her lived and living experience underpins project work and advocacy, with particular interest in rights and restorative justice of people with disability, victim-survivors of medical violence, and LGBTIQA+ people with disability.

Grace is currently the LGBTIQA+ Disability Social Inclusion Officer at NEDA. She works in partnership with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia on the Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Way capacity-building project. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Indigenous Studies) from The University of Sydney, TAFE certification in Youth Work, and is currently studying a Master of Public Health at The University of Technology Sydney.

Pino is also the founder and Managing Director of the Cultural Perspectives Group: Cultural Perspectives, and CIRCA Research, sector leaders in consulting to, researching and communicating with culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.

Pino is also distinguished in his pioneering work around multicultural policy and multilingual communications, applying communications theory and strategies to the fast growing and diversifying CALD segment in Australia.

Pino is a passionate advocate and ally for people with disability and has been providing leadership in facilitating cultural and institutional change in the generalist and multicultural disability sector.

Pino also brings superior organisational governance skills and will work to ensure that the NEDA Board has the capacity to govern well and meet strategic objectives.

Pino is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (FPRIA) and a Qualified Practicing Market Research (QPMR) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAIDC).

Pino was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2017 and made a Commendatore (Knight Commander) all’Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana in 2009.

People with disability and their families face significant discrimination when attempting to migrate to Australia. Typically, migrants with disability are denied permanent residency because they are unable to meet the health requirements in order to obtain a visa. These assessments are discriminatory, view disability through a medical lens, and fail to take into account the economic and social contribution of applicants.

Additionally, migrants with disability are required to wait over a decade before meeting residency requirements associated with eligibility for the Disability Support Pension (DSP). This exposes newly arrived migrants with disability, and their families, to a heightened risk of financial vulnerability and hardship.

We need to bring about more consistency, transparency and administration fairness for migrants and asylum seekers with disability applying for an Australian visa, and abolish the extensive waiting period for migrants with disability accessing the DSP.

People with disability are disproportionately impacted by climate change. There is a critical need to develop comprehensive regional Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and other adaptation measures that focus on the experiences of people with disability, and their families, in preventing and responding to climate change effects. NEDA is working with international partners, such as the New Earth Disability (NED) Initiative, to raise awareness, build collective knowledge, and to ensure people with disability are no longer marginalised in climate change policies and frameworks.

Rohit has extensive experience in the Not-for-Profit space, having worked corporate and finance roles in various sectors including education, early childhood, advocacy, disability and aged care.

Currently CFO and Company Secretary for TASC National Ltd, Rohit oversees financial , human resources and ICT functions with a strong focus on risk and corporate governance.

In addition to his professional experience and qualifications, Rohit has worked in voluntary roles with organisations which have an interest in education, youth and leadership.

Our Vision:

A fair and harmonious Canberra community, which supports and celebrates cultural diversity.

CMCF aims to:

represent and advocate on behalf of the multicultural community, especially groups which have experienced the refugee and migration processes
provide a forum for ongoing discussion and communication on multicultural issues, events and policy
provide support for, and develop the capacity of, multicultural community organisations, particularly CMCF members
foster and promote social cohesion, cooperation, community harmony and a culturally diverse society.

We value:

• diversity
• respect
• justice
• integrity.

CMCF is established to act as the voice of a multicultural ACT, through:

collaboration and consultation
facilitating and participating in public policy and debate
supporting new programs and innovation
celebrating and promoting multiculturalism
building community capacity
communication, education and support.

• • To combine policy development and direct service delivery within a community development framework to enable positive change on a local, state, and national level.
• • To provide direct settlement services and programs to recently-arrived migrants and refugees, and to ensure effective local orientation, settlement and self-reliance.
• • To advise on government policy and practice and seek equality, social justice, inclusion and empowerment for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• • To provide comprehensive and coordinated advice and services to clients and groups on issues of common concern and to advocate to government and non-government agencies.
• • To ensure the rights of ethnic organisations to a fair share of community resources and to participate in the decision-making process on issues which affect or concern them.
• • To promote, foster and enhance the Northern Territory’s multicultural society through recognition and preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity.
• • To promote and enhance creative, cultural and social networking skills development in migrant and refugee communities and to foster enterprises based on cooking, arts and crafts.
• • To provide poverty support and emergency relief programs to migrant and refugee families suffering financial crisis or destitution.
• • To assist young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to develop academic skills and achieve educational potential through provision of tutorial support.
• • To provide direct ethno-specific services specifically targeting the special needs of migrant and refugee women, youth, seniors and long-term unemployed.
• • To collaborate with ethnic communities and existing service providers in identifying service gaps and in the planning and delivery of services for migrants and refugees.
• • To promote community development and support multicultural and ethnic organisations to contribute to and enjoy the social, economic and cultural life of the wider community.
• • To encourage full participation in mainstream Australian life with interaction rather than isolation and the development of a non-discriminatory and socially cohesive society.

The Role of the Multicultural Council

The Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT) is a community-based non-profit organisation that advocates and provides direct services for individuals, families and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in the Top End of the Northern Territory.

The MCNT was established in 1977 as the Ethnic Communities Council of the Northern Territory (ECCNT). In 2000, the name was changed to Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory to reflect the inclusive and diverse nature of the organisation and to forge greater outreach with the wider community.

The MCNT has been based in the multicultural hub of Darwin’s northern suburbs since 2004. In recent years the MCNT has expanded its operations and developed a range of innovative and interactive activities funded by Federal and NT Government agencies specifically targeted to its multicultural constituency. The MCNT has over some years developed the reputation from its office at Malak as a ‘drop in centre’ and ‘one stop shop’ for its clients and members.

The MCNT receives recurrent operational funding from the Northern Territory Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) as a key stakeholder and independent consultative body for the NT Government. OMA views the MCNT as having three primary roles – providing information, advocacy, and community engagement – in meeting its responsibilities and objectives for operational funding.

The MCNT also receives project funding from the Federal Government: the Settlement Grants Program (SGP) of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) assisting recent arrivals with settlement and capacity building; and the Family Support Program of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) supporting disadvantaged CALD background families and increasing their participation in community life.

As a peak body and service provider the MCNT:

• Advocates provides advice and represents the interests, concerns and aspirations of people from CALD backgrounds in the Northern Territory;
• Raises the profile and creates awareness of the needs and issues of CALD communities, particularly recently-arrived migrants and refugees;
• Informs, mentors, consults with, and provides a forum and meeting place for its clients and members; and
• Undertakes specific projects, programs and support services aimed at addressing the needs and service gaps for clients from CALD communities.

Vision:

Our Vision is a society where everyone, regardless of background or disability feels welcome, included and supported. MDAA views culture and disability through the lens of diversity. We see diversity as a strength, and we promote this view in all our work. We want to make our vision a reality. Over the next five years, we will be focussing on three major goals set out in this Strategic Directions document. The details of how we achieve these goals and measure our success will be set out in the Strategic Plan. The major goals are Empowered People, Leading Change and Strengthening MDAA. MDAA works towards achieving these goals through Systemic and Individual Advocacy, Capacity Building and Networking, Industry Development and Training. International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.

The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) is the peak body for all people in NSW with disability and their families and carers, with a particular focus on those from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD )/ non-English Speaking (NES) background with disability.

They advocate for people with a disability, their families and carers in a wide range of areas including:

Accommodation • Educational • Government Services • Children’s Needs • Vocational • Transport Access • Consumer Affairs • Equipment Needs • Centrelink • Decision Making • Family & Relationships • Guardianship Board • Disputes • Financial Assistance • Public Trustee • Discrimination • Health

Disability Rights Advocacy Service is a community organisation and part of the national network of disability advocacy organisations funded by the Australian Government.

Their services are free.

Disability Rights Advocacy Service has three office locations in South Australia. The Mile End office represents people who reside within greater metropolitan Adelaide and the Mt. Barker and Adelaide Hills regions. Based in Mt. Gambier, the ‘South East Disability Advocacy Service’ assists people throughout the South East and Coorong regions. People living within the Riverland region can access the ‘Riverland Advocacy Service’, which is based in the township of Berri.

TASC was established in Toowoomba in 1982 and is a not for profit Community Legal and Service providing legal and advocacy services to Toowoomba, Ipswich and South West Queensland.  TASC incorporates both the Toowoomba and Ipswich Community Legal Services.  TASC also provides regional advocacy and disability advocacy services together with the services of social workers.  TASC’s Vision – Social Justice for All – mirrors NEDA’s belief in an inclusive Australia where cultural diversity and disability rights are valued as essential aspects of an equitable society.

Biodata:
Indo Fijian, born in Fiji.

Education Qualification:

• Mental Health: Cert.1V (CHCDIS001) TAFE NSW 2022.
• Set Skills in disability (CHCDIS001, CHCDIS007, CHCDIS002 & CHCDIS003) NSW 2022
• Diploma Early Childhood Education & Care- TAFE NSW 2015
• Diploma in Management NSW 2015
• Diploma in Business Studies NSW 2014
• Bachelor in Education (Teacher Secondary schools) University of the South Pacific – Fiji.
• Diploma in Education (Teacher /secondary schools) Corpus Christi Teachers College – Fiji.

Volunteer work:

• (MDAA) Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association NSW – Current Chairperson (Board member 2013 – current)
• (NEDA) National Ethnic Disability Alliance – Board member 2021- current)

Employment
Shri Om Foundation Ltd. 2021- current. – Case Manager.

Maryanne was born with cerebral palsy. Her journey till now has been filled with challenges, but she overcame them all thanks to her determination, self-belief and strong family support. She is working towards her goal in becoming a TAFE teacher for future disability workers. She has completed a Diploma in Community Services.

Maryanne is a committee member with DnD (Disability & Diversity) for the North West region of Victoria. She is trying to organise a group in Geelong for people with ethnic backgrounds and disability to teach self-advocacy.

She is also on the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) board. She is a committee member, and she represents Victoria. NEDA advocates federally for the human rights of people with disability, and their families, from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB).

Maryanne is trying to campaign her local council to make her community more wheelchair friendly because she was housebound for 4 months. When it rains, she cannot get out of her driveway – she lives on a dirt road and it turns into a mud pit.

She intends to use my extensive firsthand knowledge and experience to educate others about disability.

As part as of her hobbies, she does 5D diamond painting is into art: she used to paint with acrylic paints and now sells her art on her artist page.

Dr Edwin Joseph is passionate about serving the community and making it better by working for the disadvantaged. His experience is multifaceted, working for private and public sectors, including roles in education, HR, project management, community engagement, research, policy, consultancy, etc. Having migrated to Australia as an adult, Edwin understands the problems faced by CALD people in Australia and advocates for real inclusiveness. Throughout his life, Edwin has been volunteering for community groups, not-for-profit organisations and professional associations, often with leadership positions.

He currently serves as the President of Multicultural Council of the NT, Secretary of FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia), Board Member of Australia Day Council NT, Board Member of NEDA (National Ethnic Disability Alliance), Treasurer of DASSAN (Darwin Asylum Seeker and Advocacy Network), Public Officer of Darwin Lions Sports Club, NT Convener of Religions for Peace Australia, Multicultural Ambassador of Mental Health Foundation Australia, Ambassador of Saffron Day for Organ Donation, Committee Member of Institution of Public Administration Australia NT and NT Branch Executive Member of Australian Computer Society.

1What-is-the-Disability-Royal-Commission

Radio Stations in Melbourne

1. 3ZZZ – Arabic, Assyrian, Chaldean, Farsi and English
2. SBS Radio – Burmese
3. 3CR – Arabic, English

Radio Stations in Sydney

1. 2GLF – Assyrian and Chaldean
2. 2MFM – Arabic

This is a pilot-project focused on promoting the campaign in Melbourne and Sydney.

However, the audio files below are available at no cost for other radio stations across Australia for broadcasting.

To listen to the ads and interviews (audio format) in your preferred language, please click on any of the links below.

First established in 1977, the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT) is an organisation representing and advocating the interests, concerns and aspirations of migrants and refugees.

The MCNT is a community-based non-profit organisation managed by a board of dedicated volunteers, and receives operational funding from the Northern Territory Government through the NT Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA).

The MCNT has a broad and diverse membership base, and maintains considerable outreach and interaction with its multicultural constituency. The MCNT works with a range of stakeholders and consults regularly with its members and ethnic community leaders to discuss issues of concern and ascertain evolving and emerging settlement needs and issues for migrants and refugees in our society.

The MCNT welcomes new applications for membership from interested individuals and associations, subject to approval by the MCNT Management Committee. The MCNT looks forward to an exciting future and values the contribution of its members.

The MCNT is a member of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA). The MCNT sits on many advisory committees and boards for the government and non-government sectors in the Territory. The MCNT Council is also used as a referral point for ethnic community associations and by a number of community organisations, service providers and government agencies.

As a peak body, the MCNT responds and contributes to public policy development through regular submissions to FECCA, SCOA and Commonwealth Government agencies, and represents and advocates for CALD community clients and MCNT members at inter-agency meetings and national consultations.

The MCNT promotes multiculturalism as a policy that works for all Australians. The MCNT promotes empowerment for people from CALD backgrounds through culturally appropriate advocacy and direct service delivery to ensure full participation in the Territory’s social, cultural, economic, political and civic life.

The MCNT’s core business and organisational ethics are guided by the principles of access and equity, social inclusion, community harmony and celebration of diversity.

The MCNT develops and present programs and activities that foster cross-cultural awareness and cooperation, create opportunities for constructive dialogue and enhance shared values of mutual respect, compassion, inclusion and acceptance within and between the between the new and emerging migrant and refugee communities, Indigenous groups and established wider Australian community.

Diversity & Disability (DnD) program is a disability self-advocacy program delivered at the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) St Albans office.  We provide support to people with a disability from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background to speak for themselves and achieve their full potential as valued citizens of the community.

DnD aspires to enhance the freedom, independence, knowledge and opportunities for people with disability from a CALD background.

We do this through:

• Self-advocacy skills development in a creative and fun environment
• Connections with CALD communities to create attitudinal change
• Enhanced participation and representation by people from CALD backgrounds in the community
• Engagement with policy makers and decision makes with the multicultural and disability sector
• Consumer representation at local, regional and national disability forums

DnD is run by people with disability for people with disability to provide self-advocacy support and information to people interested in disability and ethnicity.

The program has eight different support groups:

• the DnD Women and Men Support Groups
• DnD creative Writing Group
• DnD Conflict Resolution Group
• DnD Theatre and Acting Group
• two DnD Music Therapy Groups
• and a DnD Art group

Robina is the NEDA council member representing NSW and treasurer of the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW.

Robina, a mother of six children, has dedicated her efforts in supporting vulnerable people particularly women with disabilities since her time working in Pakistan and up till now.

Since migrating with her family in 1996 from Pakistan, Robina found difficulties in navigating the system and accessing services for her son with cerebral palsy and was able to connect with MDAA in the late 90’s – that was the beginning of her new chapter to advocate for positive changes for all people with disabilities.

Robina’s educational background is in anthropology and public health, with over 30 years in experience and expertise in policies in many extensive projects, including US-AID to Pakistan, FACS Family Violence Policy, Disability Restrictive Practices for the NSW government and more recently the NSW Health’s Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) project.

Lingyun is a culturally sensitive social worker with considerable experience working in the disability, domestic violence, aged care and community services sectors, mainly in Queensland.

Ling’ personal and professional beliefs in social justice and equality gave her a strong desire to support vulnerable people, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Her previous work experiences include providing support to people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people affected by domestic and family violence, low-income families and asylum seekers and refugees.

After working in the disability sector as a frontline worker, Ling worked for an organisation providing support to CALD people with a disability, especially CALD parents who have children with disabilities.

Ling holds a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Film Production) from Sichuan Normal University and a Master of Social Work from Queensland University of Technology.

Before coming to Australia, Lyn has worked for different media organisations in China as a journalist and as a film production assistant.

Her previous experiences working with vulnerable people in both Australia and China, as well as her life experiences have developed her experience on how to support disadvantaged groups to achieve the best quality of life.

Ling joined NEDA at the end of 2020. At NEDA, she works on the linkages and capacity building (ILC) project, facilitating NDIS workshops for interpreters and multicultural organisations across Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Brian has an undergraduate degree in social science and postgraduate degrees in Urban Studies and Social Work. He has extensive expertise in human services ranging from homelessness to disability. He is one of Australia’s leading human services social cartographers being responsible for the maps and data analysis for the publications by the late Associate Professor Tony Vison on social disadvantage. This work also produced the first interactive electronic map to be included in a print publication. One of his publications ‘Shadow People’ was the only Australian publication referenced by Habitat on homelessness.

Brian is a strong advocate for improved data collection/analysis and provides advice to Government to ensure various survey and administrative data collections have adequate measures of disability, ethnicity and gender.

His expertise in data visualisation has made NEDA Australia’s leading agency in disability estimate for CALD communities. His work in disability estimates influenced the Commonwealth revising the NDIS estimates to a higher number. He is also one of the first recipients of the NEDA medal for his contribution to the development of CALD disability statistical approaches.

Dwayne has an extensive history working in diverse roles across the community sector. Prior to his role as CEO at NEDA, Dwayne worked in a senior management role at the Richmond Fellowship, and also held the position of Executive Officer at the National Brain Injury Foundation. Previously, Dwayne has held the position of Chair at Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI), and has also been a member of the ACT Chief Minister’s Disability Advisory Council.

Since 1983, Dwayne has worked with marginalised communities both domestically and internationally (Sweden, USA) in homelessness, child protection, refugee, criminal justice, disability and mental health sectors. Dwayne holds several qualifications in Disabilities Community Sector Management and is passionate about social justice and allowing people to be heard over the white noise of the sector.

Dwayne has an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI/TBI), a disability he has lived with since being assaulted in 1999.