10:30 – 10:45am
The Victorian Daniel Andrews Labor government has been generous in ramping up programs that support disability advocacy agencies to continue their vital work in supporting people with disability to uphold their rights and have their voices heard during this very challenging time of reform.
The Minister told us how these programs are tracking and how an ongoing commitment to promoting inclusion and pursuing policy measures are delivering equality for Victorians with a disability through new initiatives and opportunities associated with the Victorian Disability Advocacy Futures Plan. He is introduced by Emma King, CEO of Victoria Council of Social Services (VCOSS).
Then leaders from the advocacy sector take the stage to talk about the difficulty of measuring the state of play for advocacy. Funding bodies are reluctant to share data in ways that truly reflect the work of advocacy. Is there any evidence to justify waitlists? Is advocacy plugging holes in service provision?
Disability Advocacy Victoria conducted a survey asking Victorian agencies about their current experiences. Melanie Muir, Disability Advocacy Victoria Board Member reveals what the data isn’t telling us.
Meanwhile, Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) has been reviewing existing data provided by the federal Department of social Services. Mary Mallett, CEO at DANA presents some of what the data is saying.
Following this session, Melanie caught up with Marie McInerney, the Roving Reporter on the day.
Photos from the day. Click any image to enlarge it.
Interviews and full session video is coming soon.
Your account section
DARU is auspiced by DAV and VCOSS with funding from the Victorian Government Office for Disability
