“Nothing About Us -Without Us”

Rasa Bajalis and John Biswas

CALD Community Engagement in the NDIS

trial site

“Nothing About Us- Without Us”

“Nothing about Us Without Us!" (Latin: "Nihil de nobis, sine nobis") is a slogan used to communicate the idea that no policy

should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members the group(s) affected by that policy. This involves national, ethnic, disability-based, or other groups that are

often thought to be marginalized from political, social, and economic opportunities”.- Wikipedia-

Key Barriers and Challenges of Engagement

• Different understandings of ‘disability’• Absence of understanding of the Australian systems• People rely on “word of mouth” rather than printed materials• Often printed material do not make sense as to where to start• Complexity of the systems often frustrating for people with limitations in

communication and comprehension skills.

• Culturally appropriate assessment processes, as often

assessment of a person with disability does not take into

account cultural and/or lingual diversity

•

Key Barriers and Challenges and Engagement

• Gather keepers/elders: members of certain communities (particularly new and emerging) rely on community elders to communicate information with them

• Interpreters available with disability experience• Absence of advocates/champions within the communities to

relay information• Negative stereo-typing about both ethnicity and disability in the

general community. Often stigma and shame from a persons own ethnic community.

NDIS Trial sites in the Hunter

Estimates based on the number of people born overseas combined with 2011 ABS census findings that 1 in 5 Australians live with a disability would indicate that approximately 10,138 people in the target location live with disability and have a CALD background

How did the Working Group come together

Stakeholders include •National Disability Insurance Scheme•ADHC, in NSW Department of Family and Community Services•Ability Links/Early Links, St Vincent De Paul Society•Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association •Northern Settlement Services•Ethnic Community Services Co-Operative

How the sector collaboratedThis group developed a Memorandum of Understanding which

outlined the scope of the group’s activities which initially included:

•Identify key data sources and knowledge of CALD communities living with disability in NDIA Hunter trial site

•Identify local services and groups working with CALD communities living with disability within the Newcastle LGA to participate in the working group

•Conduct information sessions and with CALD community leaders

•Develop a communication strategy

•Develop an engagement plan.

Planning Day Workshop

• NEDA

• Futures Upfront

• Planning day recommendations for specific activities identified during the planning day

Feedback from “Goals, Needs and Dreams” Community Leaders Forum

• Engagement • Each cultural group will

require different approaches

• Correct and appropriate forum for each group, family, community

• Ensure there is one voice/person in each community that can spread the message

• Train the trainers• Train the interpreters• Accessible for all and

flexible

Recommendations• Community Advisor/Capacity Builder• Information• Supervision and training• Clarity around systems and concepts• Advocacy• Ambassadors• Individual ethnic communities• Resource development

Where to from here?

• Project Worker• CALD Community leaders/advisors• Community stakeholders• CALD Disability Engagement Group