Victorians living with a disability in Portland are set to receive extra support to become more independent thanks to a $50,000 boost in Brumby Labor Government funding.
Welcoming the funding Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP, said that through the Changing Days initiative disability day services will be able to provide programs to give people with a disability more choice and control about their lives.
Kyeema Support Services have received the funding for the Community Inclusion Project which involves working one-on-one with people to do what they want to do, with the people they want to be with, in a setting where they feel comfortable.
“We understand that Victorians are concerned about the welfare of our most vulnerable, that’s why we are creating new and more inclusive opportunities for people with a disability,” Ms Tierney said.
“This extra Changing Days funding will provide people with a disability the opportunity to participate in a wider range of activities that meet their individual needs and enhance their independence, abilities, participation in the community and quality of life.
“Programs that are receiving support from the Brumby Labor Government this year include a community garden that is helping participants learn to grow, harvest and cook healthy nutritional meals.
“There are also a number of employment programs that are helping people with a disability to gain voluntary or paid employment.
“Each program is designed to help Victorians with a disability learn the skills they need to live a more independent and full life.”
The Victorian Government funds 168 organisations across Victoria to deliver day services to over 8000 people with a disability.
“We are improving access to programs, strengthening the participation of people with a disability and assisting them to make informed choices about how they use the disability supports available to them,” Ms Tierney said.
Other programs funded under the Changing Days initiative in the Western Victorian Electorate include:
– The City of Ballarat Community Garden Project helping participants to grow, harvest and cook healthy nutritional meals and also learn about environmental sustainaility.
– Grampians BRACE Arts Mentor Project enabling people with a disability to actively plan and pursue their goals in their chosen artistic field
– Baccus Marsh Merrimu Individualisation Project which will develop a range of strategies to facilitate greater control and choice making for individuals.
For more information about the Changing Days program, please see Changing Days