The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) are pleased to be working with the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to implement a component of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Community Connector Program (NCCP).
FECCA and NEDA are among the organisations selected to roll out the new outreach program, focusing on connecting people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds with the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
We are hopeful that through this program, we can engage and encourage CALD Australians with disability to apply for and seek support through the NDIS. We know there is an opportunity to increase the number of CALD Australians with disabilities accessing the NDIS, and this program will help with that.
The program works with local NGOs and community organisations to place staff who are connected to people in CALD communities around Australia where there is the greatest need for support among people with disabilities.
Mary Patetsos, Chairperson of FECCA says she is encouraged and hopes the Community Connectors Program can make a difference to the lives of CALD people with disabilities.
“I thank the Government for working with FECCA and NEDA to address the specific needs of CALD communities in accessing the NDIS and through this program we hope we can make a difference.” Ms Patetsos said.
Margherita Coppolino, NEDA President stated that the Community Connectors program is ‘an important program for CALD people with disability as many of our members are faced with additional barriers to understanding, accessing and utilising NDIS supports’, “I am very excited about our new project and collaborating with FECCA, another major peak body for multicultural Australians. This program will facilitate real change in some of the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in our society,” Ms Coppolino said.
FECCA will be responsible for the engagement of subcontractors in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory, while NEDA will be managing the program in New South Wales, Western Australia and the ACT.
We invite suitably qualified not-for-profit organisations who have a demonstrated history of providing quality support to culturally and linguistically diverse Australians, and their communities, to submit an expression of interest.
