A192 building the capacity of the aboriginal and torres strait islander people with disability, to enable them a good life

1. The World Conference
I pay my respects to those Elders
both pass, present and future leaders.
June Riemer
Deputy CEO
First Peoples Disability Network
BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF
AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
I would like to pay my respects to all
Indigenous people and their Elders
both past and present.
June Riemer
Deputy CEO

2. This is a once in a life time social change
and their can be no more deserving group
in Australia today then Aboriginal people
with Disability.
Thank you for listening
First Peoples Disability Network (Australia)
• We are the only National Aboriginal peak,
that is formally directed by Aboriginal people
with disability.
• We represent Aboriginal people with disability
through systemic advocacy, ensuring that their
story is heard.

3. Disability in Aboriginal Communities
 There is no accountable word for disability
in traditional Aboriginal language
 Disability is viewed as family business and
is not labeled as a deficient, but more to
watch out for that one

4. Disability in Aboriginal communities
Disability in Aboriginal
Communities
 There is no accountable word for disability in traditional
Aboriginal language in Australia
 Disability in some Aboriginal regions is viewed as family and
community business only or wronged marriage
 Disability is generally not labeled in Aboriginal communities, as
as a deficient, it can be spoken more in terms of watch out for
that one as he may not learn the same as the rest of the mob
DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIAN’S FIRST
PEOPLES
• Anecdotally it is believed that 50% of the
population have some form of disability
• Aboriginal people with disability are the
most disadvantaged of all Australians
• They have the highest incarceration rates in
Australia today

5. Disability in Aboriginal communities .
 Designed as a social model of disability care rather then the
medical model of disability
 If its true to its design, should support our most
disadvantaged Australians today, being Aboriginal people with
disability
 Gives the individual the choice of how their life can change
with the appropriate supports
 Has the potential to create a substantial workforce in
Aboriginal communities
National Disability Insurance
Scheme
BUILDING CAPACITY
• With the inception of a National Disability
Insurance Scheme
• Our journey is to ensure that our most
venerable are ready
• We ensure that culture is inclusive always, to
improve equitable access to services

6. • Designed for the individual, while Aboriginal families are a
collective
• Seeking outside support can be the last resort due to fear of
formal processes that have impacted on Aboriginal
communities in the past
• The scheme was never designed for First Nations people,
incorporating culture, traditions and geographic isolation
NDIS and our Aboriginal
Communities
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
• English is not the first language for many
of our Aboriginal communities
• Important we develop resources that all
can access
• Literacy rates being an issue in many of
our communities

7. This is a once in a life time social change
and their can be no more deserving group
in Australia today then Aboriginal people
with Disability.
Thank you for listening
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
Now I will show our “Proper
Way” film