Efforts to give Wimmera residents with disabilities more control over their lives are about to get underway, after a new initiative received $112,380 from the Federal Government.
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Rights Information Advocacy Centre will use the money to stage workshops for people with disabilities and develop the "Right On" advisory group made up of volunteers with disabilities.
Expressions of interest for the group close Monday July 15 at 5pm.
RIAC project officer and West Wimmera advocate Alyson Clements said the project would be delivered across the Horsham, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera municipalities.
She said elements of the one-year project involved guest speakers presenting sessions to the community on social skills, human rights and the disability rights frame work.
"There are too many gaps in the services currently available, and we're trying to fill some of these gaps with these groups," she said.
"We've already started running some National Disability Insurance Scheme workshops, and we'll be running some self-regulation workshops, some girls groups, social skills and friendship groups and the advisory group," she said.
"We need to hear what people with disabilities really want and need, and to raise awareness of what they can do."
Ms Clements said she got the idea to create and advisory group as a result of her work going around the Wimmera advocating for individuals. "I just thought with the group, you can raise systemic issues more effectively."
Erin Kearns, of Quantong, has submitted an application to be part of the new advisory group.
"People need to have a say in the things they want and need," she said. "Things like learning new things, funding new things to do like sports activities and new jobs.
"Finding friends that you can keep forever too.
RIAC is a not-for-profit that helps individuals, people with disabilities, families, carers and communities through advocacy and support services.
The money is being provided under the Linkages and Capacity Building grants program.
Ms Clements said anyone interested in joining the group could contact her on 0491 208 113.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
