People with Disability

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The City of Darebin was one of the first Local Government Areas as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) national roll-out beginning on 1 July, 2016.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is funded by the Commonwealth Government.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the Commonwealth Government Agency that oversees the NDIS.

To learn more about disability in Darebin, download our 'Disability in Darebin information guide' here

Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) and the NDIS roll-out in North East Melbourne Area 
Since July 2016, the BSL has been delivering Local Area Coordination (LAC) supports across Darebin, Yarra, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Banyule. If you live with disability, they will support you to identify and pursue your lifestyle goals by developing a plan and linking you to mainstream or community services.
NDIS participants who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can ask to talk to a member of the BSL NDIS Aboriginal Participation Team. 

BSL are also providing Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) supports. ECEI services support children 0-6 years with a disability or developmental delay and their parent/carers to get information and access to supports.

How to contact the BSL NDIS Team:
Phone: 1300 BSL NDIS (1300 275 634) / 1300 BSL ECEI (1300 275 323)
Email: ndis.info@bsl.org.au / NDIS.feedback@bsl.org.au
Or drop into one of their offices during business hours:
- Banyule and Nillumbik - 65 Main Street, Greensborough
- Darebin -  293 High Street, Preston
- Whittlesea - 1/1 Latitude Drive, Thomastown  
- Yarra - 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

NDIS information sessions, forums and events: if you are aware of an NDIS event please contact us to have the details listed below: 

NDIS Webinars
The NDIS regularly run online webinars where people can watch a panel discussion online and contribute questions via email, text message and social media.
To find out when the next webinar is on and how to participate in a live webinar click here or to access old webinars click here.


NDIS pre-planning supports
The following Disability Services Organisations (DSO) can provide support to people with disabilities and their carers to prepare for transition to the NDIS by building up skills and feeling more confident:

Unhappy about an NDIS related decision?
NDIS review and appeals flow chart
NDIS: Who to make a complaint to
Review of NDIS decisions
Disability Services Commissioner (DSC) can help people who have a complaint about a disability service funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Disability Insurance Scheme or the Transport Accident Commission. 

NDIS Reviews and Appeal Support
A number of Victorian providers offer advocacy and support assistance to NDIS participants who are seeking review of NDIA decisions through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The services of a support person are provided by the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). Access to a skilled support worker to act as an advocate is available, as well as, in the case of complex and novel legal issues, access to legal assistance. You can look up providers on the National Disability Advocacy Finder. 
All services provided under NDIS Appeals are free of charge. An NDIS Appeals pamphlet (also available in easy English) has been developed that briefly explains the process. There is also an NDIS Appeals Fact Sheet available with more information.

Victorian NDIS Appeals Providers are:
• Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC)
• Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation Inc.
• AED Legal
• Disability Justice Advocacy
• Leadership Plus
• Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council Inc. (VMIAC)
Further information: on NDIS Appeals can be found on the Department of Social Services website. 

More information about the NDIS
Resources in other languages, Plain and easy English
Support communicating with the NDIA (video)
NDIS Easy English fact sheets for participants
NDIS information in languages other than English - Arabic, Hindi, Vietnamese, simple and traditional Chinese, Filipino, French, Greek, Italian, Macedonian and Samoan
What are reasonable and necessary supports? (easy English)
What if I'm not happy with the NDIS (plain English)

General NDIS information
Auslan: NDIS explained (video)
NDIS Victoria
Disability Loop
Every Australian Counts
Interface with mainstream services fact sheets 
Changes to the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program

Resources for participants (people with a disability) - What is the NDIS?
Accessing the NDIS (video)
My NDIS Pathway - A Guide to being an NDIS Participant
NDIS Tip Sheet for Deaf community
What are Reasonable and Necessary Supports? (video)
The NDIS for Women with Disabilities

Writing Your Plan
Developing your NDIS Plan (video)
Developing Your Plan
Getting Ready for your Planning Conversation
Developing you child's participant statement
Understanding your plan and supports
'Picture My Future' planning toolkit 

Starting Your First Plan
Understanding Your NDIS Plan
Starting Your Plan (video)
Starting Your Plan
Starting Your Plan with a Support Coordinator
Starting Your Plan with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
Starting Your Plan as an NDIS Self Managed participant

Choice and Control over your NDIS Plan
Choice and Control - Fact sheet on managing your funding
Consumers with disability - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have developed resources to assist consumers with disability to navigate the market and know their rights. 
'It's My Choice' Toolkit
Finding and Engaging Providers
'Choosing a Service Provider'
Clickability - An Australian Disability Service Directory featuring ratings and reviews from the people who actually use the services. 
Care Navigator - A directory for people to search, review and find NDIS providers.

Resources for parents/families of young children (0 - 12 years old)
Accessing Supports for my Child
Early Childhood Early Intervention (video)
How the NDIS can help your child guide
NDIS4Kids online resource for families of children with a disability aged 0-6 years of age
Early Childhood Intervention Services transition to NDIS
Raising Children Network NDIS resources for parents of children aged 0 - 6 years
Choosing an NDIS Service Provider for a child aged 0 - 6 years old 

Resources for carers - carers cannot join the NDIS, however there are rules which outline how carers should be involved in the assessment and planning of the person they care for. There are also supports available through the NDIS which can help carers in their caring role, either directly or indirectly.
Carer Gateway
Carers and Families in the NDIS
Peer Conversation Partners
NDIS Guide and Checklist for Mental Health Carers

Resources for service providers
National Disability Services (NDS)
NDS NDIS Helpdesk - An online state-wide Q&A forum with the single focus of helping providers successfully transition to the NDIS
NDIS service provider readiness toolkit
Working with the NDIS - Information for service providers
Disability Services Consulting

Darebin Council has prepared the Darebin Access and Inclusion Plan 2015-2019 to reduce the barriers experienced by people with a disability, and to help make Darebin a more accessible, liveable and inclusive city.

Darebin Access and Inclusion Plan 2015-2019 – Towards an Inclusive City

The goals of the Plan are:

  • Goal 1 – Liveable housing and safe public places
  • Goal 2 – Accessible transport and freedom of movement
  • Goal 3 – The right to education, employment and pathways to well being
  • Goal 4 – An amplified voice in public affairs and decision-making
  • Goal 5 – The right to a creative and dynamic city with quality services
  • Goal 6 – Freedom from discrimination into the future

Darebin Access and Inclusion Plan 2015 - 2019 MASTER DOCUMENT
Darebin Access and Inclusion Plan 2015 - 2019 ACTION PLAN
Darebin Access and Inclusion Plan 2015 - 2019 MASTER DOCUMENT Large Print
Darebin Access and Inclusion Plan 2015 - 2019 ACTION PLAN Large Print

Further Information:
Senior Team Leader Access & Inclusion
Ph: 8470 8315
Email: katherine.kiley@darebin.vic.gov.au 

Victoria also has its own state disability plan 2017 - 2020. The Victorian Government  are committed to a range of actions for achieving greater inclusion, in partnership with the community. The plan tackles the negative attitudes and barriers that more than one million Victorians with a disability deal with on a daily basis. It is available in a number of accessible formats:
- Victoria’s state disability plan 2017–2020 PDF
- Summary of Victoria’s state disability plan 2017–2020 PDF
- Audio summary of Absolutely everyone
- Easy English of Absolutely everyone
- Auslan translation of Absolutely everyone

We are committed to assisting people with disability in Darebin, and increasing their representation and participation in the community.

Some current community capacity building programs and opportunities for people with disability to get involved include: 

Sensory Friendly Day at Funfields  

Funfields in Whittlesea is working with local autism support groups and invites you to be part of a sensory friendly family day. 

DATE: TUESDAY 27 February 2018  

TIME: 10am - 4:30pm

About this special day:

  • Discounted tickets $22.50 (save up to $23)
  • Much smaller crowds
  • Quiet breakout spaces available 
  • Staff will work with WINGS and Plenty Valley Club House to support you on the day
  • Companion Card and Carers card accepted 

Buy tickets online here.

- Bandmates Victoria
Bandmates is a program that matches volunteers with people over 18 with disability or mental health issues, to go out to live music.
- Are you a young person over 18 with a disability or mental health issue that wants to see live music?
- Want to meet a person who has the same musical interest as you?
- Bandmates will meet and talk with you and match you with a volunteer of your choice
To get involved: contact the Bandmates Victoria Officer, Sara Franzoni, Maribyrnong City Council on 0437 161 061, email bandmatesvic@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au or website. 

- Changing Places
The Darebin City Council Plan 2017 -2021 includes a commitment to build four Changing Places in Darebin over the next four years. 
Changing Places toilets are designed for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. Each changing place facility has:
- a height adjustable, adult-sized changing bench;
- a tracking hoist system;
- space for two or more people; and
- is a safer and cleaner environment than using the floor of other public restrooms

- Enabling Women Leadership Program
Enabling Women is a community leadership program targeting women with disabilities to have a voice about issues that relate to them and other women with disabilities. The Program empowers women to build upon their advocacy skills and voice to advocate for themselves and others. It has a focus on natural leadership, building self-confidence and discusses ways to contribute to the local community as a woman with a disability. The program has come to the inner north Melbourne metropolitan area with the collective support and enthusiasm of Darebin City Council, City of Yarra and Moreland City Council, Women’s Health in the North in partnership with Women with Disabilities Victoria. 

Further Information:
Senior Team Leader Access & Inclusion
Katie Kiley
Ph: 03 8470 8315
Email: katherine.kiley@darebin.vic.gov.au

We support sport and recreation activities that are inclusive for all, if you have a disability and need help finding local activities you can get in touch with us for advice.

Community Recreation Facilitator
We offer an information and referral service to assist people with a disability living in Darebin to get involved in community sport and recreation activities. We can assist carers and people with a disability to link with clubs and opportunities in the area. Contact us to learn more. 

Community groups and sports clubs in Darebin can also contact us for advice and assistance in making clubs more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Our Access for All Guide provides advice, ideas, contacts and practical ways that your club can become more inclusive of people with a disability.

This program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. You are welcome to give feedback on this program at any time by contacting us. 

Contact the Community Recreation Facilitator:
Phone: 8470 8305 (Tuesday & Thursday)
Email: leisure@darebin.vic.gov.au
NRS: TTY dial 133 677 or Speak & Listen 1300 555 727 or use the National Relay Service then enter 8470 8305.

Access for All Abilities
RecLink Australia is funded by the Access for All Abilities program to act as the first point of call for people with disabilities looking for sporting opportunities, through the provision of Access for All Abilities Play.

AAA Play is a free information and referral service. Visit the AAA Play website or call today to discover the range of sports and active recreation activities close to your home for people of all abilities.

AAA Play
Ph: 1800 222 842
Email: request@aaavic.org.au

Want to find accessible toilets, accessible car parking, public transport stops and routes and pedestrian crossing points with ease? We have created access and mobility maps designed to help people with a disability or mobility difficulties to get around our 5 main shopping strips.

Access and Mobility Maps:

Printed copies of the maps are available from our Customer Service Centres or contact our MetroAccess Officer.

Further Information
MetroAccess Officer
Ph: 8470 8368
Email: christine.mulholland@darebin.vic.gov.au

You can contact us a number of ways (TTY, Speak and Listen, Internet Relay), ask us if you require accessible formats of documents, Auslan sign language interpreters can be organised to enable you to communicate with us.

Deaf, Speech or Hearing Impaired Support

If you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service.

  • TTY (Hearing Impaired): Phone 133 677 and ask for 03 8470 8888
  • Speak and Listen: Phone 1300 555 727 and ask for 03 8470 8888
  • Internet Relay: Connect to National Relay Service - IP Relay and ask for 03 8470 8888

Accessible Documents
All Council documents and publications are available in alternative formats upon request. Formats available include large print, electronic (CD or email), audio and hard copy.

To request a publication/document in an alternative format contact:

Customer Service
Ph: 8470 8888

Audio Loop
Council Chambers located on High Street, Preston features an audio loop that allows people with hearing aids to hear better.

Auslan Sign Language Interpreters
Sign Language interpreters are available for deaf residents to allow them to participate in Council meetings, forums, community consultation and general Council events.

To organise an Auslan Interpreter contact:
Customer Service
Ph: 8470 8888
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au 

Website
The Darebin City Council Website has been designed to ensure content is available to all users including those with visual, motor or cognitive disabilities. We are continually assessing the accessibility standards and making changes as required to ensure the website maintains a minimum level AA compliance.

Visit the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) website for more information on accessible websites.....