The disability services industry is an important part of our community. It helps people with disabilities live independent lives.
There are many disability support workers across Victoria who work hard to provide a quality service for their clients and communities.
These people can include health professionals, community care staff and volunteers. They all have different skills and knowledge.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS is a new way of providing disability support services victoria. It takes a lifetime approach, investing in people with disability to help them reach their goals and improve outcomes throughout life.
It is a government-funded scheme that provides participants with funding to pay for personalised and individualised support services. It works alongside existing welfare schemes like the disability pension and carer allowance to provide a more flexible support model that helps individuals meet their goals for economic, social and wellbeing.
The NDIS is a complex reform that many people are still struggling to understand. This is why we have compiled a quick guide that peer network facilitators and their members can use to find out more about what the NDIS is, how it works and what it means for them and their peers.
What is a disability?
A disability is an impairment that limits a person's physical or mental ability to do things. A person's disability can be permanent or temporary, and it can happen at any age or stage of life.
People who have disabilities are a diverse group, and they have different experiences. They may have a medical diagnosis that explains their condition or they might not have one.
In most cases, disability is a result of an interaction between the individual and their environment. It can be a result of structural barriers, such as a staircase that prevents a person from moving up the stairs or an inaccessible bus that stops just short of where they need to go.
Philosophers have tended to rely on a two-part "anatomy" of disability--impairment and social response--to develop definitions for disability policy. This two-part model has dominated academic discussion of disability since the 1970s, and it has been a central part of the debate between the medical and social models of disadvantage.
What are my rights?
Your rights as a disabled person are protected by Victoria’s laws. These laws help to ensure that you have the opportunity to live to your full potential, exercise your rights and freedoms, be treated with respect and dignity and be free from abuse or neglect.
You are protected against discrimination in all areas of life, including your employment, education, and access to goods and services. This means it is illegal for people to discriminate against you or treat you less favourably because of your disability.
The law also says that employers, schools and workplaces are responsible for making changes to make sure people with disability can attend school, work or use their goods and services. This is called a reasonable adjustment and it can include things like changing working hours, or providing equipment that you need.
If you are unhappy with how a service provider has handled your complaint, you can make a complaint to the Disability Services Commissioner. They will work with you and your disability service provider to resolve the issue.
Where can I get help?
It can be difficult to find the help you need when you have a disability. This may be because of physical, mental or social barriers that prevent you from accessing services, information or places.
If you need help finding services and information, there are a range of government and community organisations that can assist you. They include disability support services, community health and social welfare agencies.
The Victorian State Government is committed to improving the inclusion of people with disability, their families and carers. It also works closely with Victorian councils to ensure that they support and promote disability in their local communities.
There are also many community groups, including peer support groups that can offer help to people with disability and their families. These can include disability advocacy and counselling organisations, as well as other specialised services that are not government run.
