The First Peoples Living Our Way Conference hosted by the national peak organisation, First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) is underway in Wagga Wagga today.
The conference brings together people with wide ranging expertise to the regional NSW centre of Wagga Wagga and provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability to discuss the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the broader changes to the disability sector, services and supports and how our people with disability can ‘live our way’.
The keynote address will be given by Mr Alastair McEwin, Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights Commission.
June Riemer, Deputy CEO, FPDN said: “It is vital that our mobs have the opportunity to share information and experiences in a culturally appropriate way. We must ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability are not left behind as this major national reform is rolled out.”
Scott Avery, Research and Policy Director, FPDN is presenting recent data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in consultation with FPDN. Scott Avery said: “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience disability at twice the rate of the general population, and experience poorer outcomes in health, education, access to justice and employment,”
“Our research is going behind the numbers and reporting on the intersectional impact of disability and Aboriginality to understand the barriers that are holding Aboriginal people with disability back from achieving their potential. Most importantly we are looking at how we can address this by adopting an inclusive, culturally appropriate approach in our communities.”
The conference program and full list of speakers is available here.
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Event details: First Peoples Living Our Way Conference
Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 May 2017
The International Hotel Wagga Wagga, Corner of Sturt Hwy & Lake Albert Rd Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia 2650
Twitter: #LivingOurWay @FPDNAus @CroakeyNews
ABS publication: Social and Economic Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability.
About FPDN
FPDN is the national peak organisation of and for Australia’s First Peoples with Disability.
FPDN’s vision is a just and inclusive society, in which First Peoples living with disability are respected and valued for their culture, history and contribution to contemporary life, and in which their human rights are recognised, respected, protected and fulfilled.
First Peoples Disability Network is governed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disability. FPDN is a member of the Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO) alliance. FPDN won the Improving Advocacy and Rights Promotion Award at the 2014 National Disability Awards.
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