In February, The Disability Trust’s Self Advocacy Group travelled to Geelong, Victoria to attend the VALID Having a Say Conference. The Conference is the biggest disability self-advocacy event of the year, and The Disability Trust was extremely proud to not only attend, but also be an exhibitor and event sponsor.
The Group’s trip was fully-funded by Workplace Giving fundraising from staff members of The Trust.
Our group of 7 esteemed self-advocates attended the event, supported by Trusted Travel, to celebrate the power that people with disabilities have when they come together to advocate for their rights.
Over four huge days, our travellers attended presentations, workshops, networked with other advocates and providers, and enjoyed the picturesque city of Geelong. Three members presented at the conference on how they live their lives to the fullest with their disability, showing others that everyone has the capacity to and deserves the right to live their lives the way they want.
About the Self Advocacy Group
• What does the self-advocacy group do?
The Self Advocacy group meets once a month to discuss a range of issues that relate to people with disabilities. The participants who access the Illawarra Self Advocacy group look at issues that impact all people with disabilities, and not just those that relate directly to those accessing the service. The Illawarra Self Advocacy group is a voice for all participants with a disability to ensure people living with disabilities have access to quality services while being connected to their local community.
• How often do they meet and where do they meet?
The group meets once a month on a Thursday evening at our Headway site located in Gwynneville. For participants who can’t access reliable transport, Trust staff pick them up and drop them home for the monthly meetings. The group also gets together on a Saturday four times per year to have a social outing and try new experiences that interest the group. The group will have a guest speaker attend the Thursday meeting and share a meal together.
• Is there an opportunity for members of the public to get involved in the self-advocacy group?
We are always looking for guest speakers to attend our monthly Thursday night group to speak about issues that relate to people with disabilities accessing their local community and having access to quality services that meet their interests. This includes local, state, and federal members of parliament, people from local government and disability advocates.
Express interest in joining the group by emailing Beth Moore at beth.moore@disabilitytrust.org.au
