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Information regarding COVID-19
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It's been a stressful few weeks and we're sure you're being bombarded with lots of information about the Coronavirus. We want to help you and have put together some simple tips and information about the virus.
The Coronavirus is a respiratory illness, with symptoms which include fever, a sore throat, cough or shortness of breath. Some people recover quickly and easily, and other people may get very sick, very quickly. If you are displaying any of these symptoms, seek medical attention and advice as soon as possible.
The Department of Health and Human Services has developed resources to help you know if you are at risk.
What you can do:
- Avoid going to work or out into the community if you are sick.
- Regular hand washing - wash your hands with soap for at least 20-30 seconds every hour, after you have had direct contact with another person, when preparing food, and after using the bathroom.
- Get an annual flu vaccination - In the coming months getting the annual flu vaccination will help prevent the spread of other contagious diseases.
The Growing Space Australia has developed an Easy English resource which provides more tips on what you can do,
Call 1800 020 080 if you are seeking information on the coronavirus. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Melbourne Disability Unit has released an important message about people with disability and the COVID-19 Response.
For further information about Coronavirus, including provider obligations, how to reduce the risk to participants, and links to updates and resources, please visit Australian Department of Health. VALID are following advice from here. You can find Provider Alerts about COVID-19 from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
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Having a Say Conference 2020
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This year at the Having a Say Conference around 100 people with a disability presented and performed at the conference and over 250 people were sponsored to attend the event. Over 1000 people took part in the three-day conference.
The conference opened with great presentations. Self-Advocates Judy Huett and Sonia Hume talked about what the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Geneva recommended to the Australian Government in last year''s review, including the importance of proper funding for independent advocacy. It was great to hear about self-advocates representing Australians with disability at the United Nations.
Day two started off with great gusto. An important and interesting presentation was given by a representative from Ambulance Victoria and 2019 Community Hero recipient, Matthew Buckingham, showing how Matt helped save his friends life when Bobby was showing signs of having a stroke.
Luke Donnellan MP, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers also presented, emphasising the importance of fighting for the NDIS. "It's simply not good enough that there is money in the NDIS and yet there is an under spend. We need to keep pushing, keep hustling,"
The Conference ended with the dinner disco, celebrating 21 years of the Having a Say Conference. Over 600 people spent the night dancing to classic rock music and catching up with friends from previous years.
You can find out more the Having a Say Conference here.
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A new-look for Housing Hub is on the way
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The revamped website for Housing Hub in April 2020 will have a number of extra features, including improved search and matching functions and the ability for housing seekers to create their own profiles. "Our goal is to match housing seekers with the home that is just right for them, as quickly and easily as possible," said General Manager, Housing Matching, Alecia Rathbone. "We're doing this by placing our housing seekers at the centre of our design approach. One of the new features will allow them to create their own housing profiles, focusing on their individual needs and wants."
The site will also feature more detailed listings and greater online support for housing seekers and providers promoting their properties. The Housing Hub recently marked its second birthday. From humble beginnings as a government funded pilot project in 2017 the site has grown to now list vacancies from housing providers (including developers of Specialist Disability Accommodation) in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT.
It has listed around 800 properties and has been viewed by more than 90,000 people.
You can visit the Housing Hub at: www.thehousinghub.org.au
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Our Voice at the United Nations
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Our Voice at the UN is a bi-monthly series that provides information and news about how Our Voice is affecting change at the UN and how to get involved in global efforts and initiatives that will impact your communities and your country.
You can read their latest e-newsletter here.
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The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is taking steps to hear directly from people with disability across the country, including remote communities.
The Commission has received 428 submissions so far.
- 33% of submissions were from people with disability
- 42% were from family members.
The Melbourne public hearing was between 2-6 December 2019. It focused on housing for people with disability and particularly the experiences of people who have lived or are currently living in group homes. You can find out more about the hearing here.
The Commission has suspended all public events due to concerns of COVID-19. Here is the media release about the decision.
You can find out more about The Commission and what supports are available here.
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Right to Respect: Preventing Violence against Women with Disabilities Training
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Date: Thursday 2nd April or Tuesday 7th April 2020
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm
Location: Level 8, 255 Bourke Street Melbourne (Women's Health Victoria)
This workshop will show how gender and disability inequality drives violence and how you can prevent it. This training will benefit people who work in the disability sector, local council, education, specialist organisations and other social service roles. The training is co-facilitated with an expert in violence prevention and a woman with a lived experience of disabilities. It is evidence-based, aligning with the latest research on disability, Our Watch's Change the Story, and the Preventing Family Violence and Violence against Women Capability Framework. You can register here.
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What''s on at VALID
Families as Planning Partners
Multiple dates and locations
Staying Safe Information Sessions
Multiple dates and locations
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