Innovation Grants
This section provides information about the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants.
Information on this page:
- Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants 2006.
- Project highlights from 2003 and 2004.
- Summary of projects funded in 2004.
- Summary of projects funded in 2003.
- Frequently asked questions. End of information on this page list
Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants 2006
The focus for the third and final round of the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants is to promote ‘new and different’ approaches to providing day support options for people with a disability.
For general information about the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants please refer to the Frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Successful projects
A total of 16 projects have been approved for funding across the eight Department of Human Services regions. Each region will be supporting at least one Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation project over the next year. Just over $550,000 was allocated for the development and implementation of successful projects.
Each of the successful projects demonstrate how they will increase and strengthen opportunities for people with a disability to access, and be meaningfully included in, their local communities.
The successful projects also show how partnerships between disability day service providers and community organisations can create alternatives to the more traditional group and centre-based models of day support. As funding for these projects is non-recurrent, succesful projects also needed to demonstrate how partnerships and outcomes will be sustained in the longer term.
The Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation projects funded in 2006–2007 for each region are detailed below:
Barwon-South Western Region
City of Greater Geelong – Don’t Be a Couch Potato
The project aims to provide people with disabilities who live on the Bellarine Peninsula, and who are currently accessing day programs in Geelong, with access to a broad range of music and performing arts activities through the Potato Shed. The project aims to support participants to pursue their individual interests in music and performance by connecting local community members with local community based performing arts opportunities. Project partners include a disability day program provider, local government programs and an Access for All Abilities provider.
Leisure Networks (Colac Network) – Fitness and Nutrition Project (FAN)
The main aim of this project is to use local venues, expertise and groups to support and facilitate opportunities for local people with disabilities to enhance their health and wellbeing through physical activity, healthy eating and community involvement. This project is being led by the Colac Disability Network, which is comprised of representatives from all disability funded Community Service Organisations in Colac.
Warrnambool City Council – RuralAccess Program – South West Day Program Development Project
The project will develop a framework that enables disability supports to be flexible and encourage providers to work with people with a disability as partners to better respond to people’s individual needs. The project will assist participating agencies to work together with their local communities and build stronger linkages with mainstream services. This will enable people with disabilities to access a range of different activities in their local communities. The project will also explore key strategies such as workforce development, facilitation of supports and community building. Project partners include all Adult Training Support Services and funded Community Service Organisations in the South West of the region.
Gateways Support Services – Camperdown Chances and Choice
The project aims to build on existing networks, collaborations and partnerships within the Camperdown community. It will seek to map the range of potential opportunities for people with severe disabilities to meaningfully participate in the local Camperdown community.
Eastern Region
Yooralla Society of Victoria – Community Building Within the City of Whitehorse
The project aims to encourage traditional day services to develop integrated, flexible, community-based models that respond to people’s individual needs and maximises an individual’s ability to live a lifestyle of their choosing.
A consortium of agencies will employ a part-time Community Building Officer to develop partnerships across the City of Whitehorse, audit resources already available, identify supports required for volunteers and implement a flexible staffing model. The aim of the partnership is to strengthen communities and the support needed in order for all community agencies to be inclusive.
Gippsland Region
GippsTAFE Employment and Transitional Training Centre (GETT) – GET on Air
The project will support young people to identify and access resources to overcome barriers to participate in the community and to link with local community groups.
With a partnership between FM Gippsland and ABC, the GETT Centre and Cooinda Hill members will learn the skills required for a radio show, record their own radio show and have it aired on Gippsland Radio.
The GET on AIR project increases the voice of young people with a disability in Gippsland. It will assist to raise community awareness and identify some of the issues that young people face. The project will also provide paid employment for a young person with a disability.
Yooralla Society Of Victoria – Community Connections
The project aims to facilitate the transition of young adults from school settings to community based, integrated employment and community options. The project will employ a community worker who will work with day services staff and the community sector to identify, broker and facilitate connections between young people and the community. The worker will look at ways that these relationships can be supported and sustained into the future without the resources of a designated community worker. Training, skills development and support will be provided to day support staff, people with disabilities and community organisations to support community inclusion and access in the longer term.
Grampians Region
Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnerships – Level Playing Field
Level Playing Field aims to facilitate opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in meaningful community-based recreation and leisure activities that encourage increased physical activity in the Central Grampians area. The long-term aim of Level Playing Fields is to establish different practices as part of the core business of day programs, primary care services, shared accommodation services, community based groups and physical activity programs.
Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Parish – Exploring Spirituality
This project aims to refine person centred planning by providing education and support to people with disabilities and the people who support them. One of the key priorities includes developing an appropriate training package for use with day program and accommodation staff, faith communities and other relevant groups, as well as developing a spirituality training package to be included in Certificate IV, Disability Studies. This project is positioned within a faith community and combines the opportunity for growth within both an individual and community context. Exploring spirituality will also provide different pathways to community participation and a unique approach to refining person centred planning.
Hume Region
Mitchell Community Health Service Inc – Wallan Partnership
The project will explore the possibilities and opportunities for creating and developing community based day support options for people with a disability who have had to travel long distances to access day services. A broad range of partners including disability providers, community services and local government and people with disabilities and their families have committed to work together to create individualised, community-based activities for people with disabilities in Wallan and district.
Loddon Mallee Region
Christie Centre Inc – Success Through Art
This project seeks to develop links with a variety of community arts groups to create opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue their interests within community arts.
The first phase of the project involves the development of additional arts opportunities for people with disabilities. In the longer term the project is seeking to work with the Mildura Arts community and RuralAccess, Mildura City Council to develop a community Arts Centre that will be inclusive of all community members.
North and West Region
La Trobe Lifeskills Pty Ltd – Radio Station
The license of the Latrobe Radio Station will be taken over by the Life-skills Program. People with disabilities will be supported to develop the skills and expertise needed to run a radio station on the campus of Latrobe University. Partnerships will involve the University and mainstream radio broadcasters. The project will increase the civic participation of individuals with a disability and will encourage their active participation in the management, planning and broadcasting at the radio station.
Northern Support Service – Trainingworx Expanded
Due to the success of the trainingworx model at the Darebin Resource and Recovery facility, which is a partnership between Northern Support Service, the facility and the Darebin City Council, Northern Support Service will employ a Disability Employment Officer to seek out other industries that may be interested to take up the trainingworx model. The project will develop broader partnerships with local businesses and builds on a strong partnership with the Darebin City Council.
Footscray Community Arts Centre – Art Life
The project will connect participants to existing mainstream arts activities rather than establishing new, segregated programs and builds on Footscray Community Arts Centre’s established partnerships in the mainstream arts community. Resourcing of the initiative will be from a variety of sources including the Department of Human Services. The action research methodology and project evaluation will potentially identify strategies to expand participation in mainstream arts activities into the future. This project will have learnings that can be replicated into other settings where integration of people with a disability within generic settings may be a challenge.
Southern Region
E W Tipping Foundation
Victorian Person Centred Services
Oz Child Mornington Blairlogie – Just Lifestyle
The project will develop an individualised approach for people over 50 years of age who attend day services and who wish to do things away from the 9am–3pm centre-based supports. A flexible, individualised approach will be used to identify and develop alternatives for people who are ageing. The project will trial new approaches to the use of resources. This model could be extended to other age groups. The pilot project has a strong evaluation component that will be used to inform the development of service responses to the issue of ageing and people with a disability.
Marriott Support Services – We Are Out There
The City of Glen Eira is establishing a group of people with disabilities to talk/present at local venues/clubs/and educational facilities to promote inclusion of people with a disability in the local community. Participants will be supported to provide Disability Awareness training to generic service providers. A training package will also be developed for use by the wider community.
Project highlights from 2003 and 2004
Westernport Fishcare Inc
PO Box 271, COWES 3922
David Cass
(03) 5952 5910
david.cass@dpi.vic.gov.au
Location: Gippsland
An Introduction to Recreational Fishing - $5,000
This project aims to provide an equal opportunity for a broad range of people with a disability to experience recreational fishing in a supervised and safe environment.
An Introduction to Recreational Fishing
John caught this elephant fish on a trip with the Introduction to Recreational Fishing project.
This project is innovative in bringing together previously unlinked community members to share their enjoyment of recreational fishing. Feedback from all parties has been positive, and the project has received local media attention.
The project aims to create solid and sustainable networks that can continue to provide ongoing recreational fishing opportunities. This also allows experienced people to educate young people about fish care. Adapting a fishing vessel to be wheelchair accessible is something the project would like to see happen in the near future.
Case study: 
Introduction to Recreation Fishing (Word 34 KB).
Our Clients: Our Trainers
Lachlan McLeod is participating in the Our Clients: Our Trainer project. He wrote the following article, which was published in the ParaQuad newsletter, winter 2004.
There are few times in life when it is advantageous to be disabled. Paraquad’s new training program is one of those times.
Currently 16 of us are studying Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, a 12-week course based on the learning styles people use. By identifying and understanding these styles we will learn how to be a better training facilitator. We will prepare, deliver and review training sessions to become accustomed to presenting a training package.
When the course is finished we will be able to teach attendant carers anywhere in Australia. While we are all disabled in some way this is not the stereotypical disabled class. It is the first time that the students undertaking ParaQuad’s Certificate IV course have all been disabled. More exciting for us is that it is a real course, with real job prospects. Not that we all need that.
Within the class many have careers. Others have degrees. Some have both. So while there are those who see this as an opportunity to break into the workforce, others see this as a way to move forward with their career.
But perhaps more importantly the class provides the chance to interact with a diverse range of people. There are a number of different disabilities in the group. Some are blatantly obvious like mine while others you would never know unless told. Yet with all these differences we are all accepted and treated with respect.
Something that doesn’t happen every day.
Summary of projects funded in 2004
The Grants offered in 2004 were targeted to three priority areas:
- Arts and diversity.
- Leadership and active participation.
- Youth. End of summary of prejects funded in 2004 list
Twenty-four projects were selected from almost 300 applications.
Arts and diversity
City of Warrnambool Theatre Company
PO Box 93, WARRNAMBOOL 3280
Richard Ziegler
(03) 5564 0645
therapyz@dodo.com.au
Location: Barwon South Western Region
All in Theatre - $15,150
The Break of Day Players, an all abilities theatre group, and the Warrnambool Theatre Company will explore the process of creating and performing a production with the theme of Community Inclusion
Gasworks Arts Inc
21 Graham Street, ALBERT PARK 3206
Robert Hughes
8606 4200
rhughes@gasworks.org.au
Location: Southern, Eastern, Gippsland and Hume Regions
Art of Difference - $45,000
The aims of the Art of Difference Festival are to create a major arts event that showcases the work of people with disabilities, facilitate the development of new work for the festival and create opportunities for those who have limited avenues for exhibition or performance.
Greater Shepparton City Council
Locked Bag 1000, SHEPPARTON 3632
Simon Rose
(03) 5832 9785
simon.rose@shepparton.vic.gov.au
Location: Barwon South Western Region
CinemAbility: Personal Stories Shared Through Animation - $15,466
CinemAbility is an animation project that focuses on people with a disability creating an animated film through which emotional expression and personal stories can be told.
BreakOut Dance Group
7 Coppin Street, RICHMOND 3121
Teri McNeil
(03) 9428 1505
groovygrl@dodo.com.au
Location: Southern Region
Dancing Towards Diversity - $2,960
Project to develop a dance performance involving adolescents with intellectual disabilities and students without a disability.
Mitchell Community Health Services Inc
PO Box 84, BROADFORD 3658
Naomi Zandt
(03) 5784 5555
naomiz@mitchellchs.org.au
Location: Loddon Mallee Region
Dream Theatre: All Abilities Performing Arts Group - $12,000
The project aims to establish a sustainable theatre group for young people with and without disabilities within the Lower Hume region to boost individuals’ physical and social skills.
Australian Dance Council (Vic) Inc
170 Southbank Blvd, SOUTHBANK 3006
Kath Papas
(03) 9686 0099
kath.victoria@ausdance.orgau
Increasing Access to Dance - $23,440
Increasing Access to Dance, a professional development program will focus on increasing the number and quality of dance opportunities for people with a physical or intellectual disability.
Melbourne University Student Union Ltd
First Floor, Union House
Melbourne University, PARKVILLE 3010
Sarah Austin
(03) 8344 8869
s.austin@union.unimelb.edu.au
Location: North and West Metropolitan Region
Operation Undercover - $10,800
Operation Undercover is an arts project that seeks to engage the creative skills of students with disabilities at RMIT, VCA and Melbourne University and will be a feature event of the student arts festival, mudfest9.
Back to Back Theatre Inc
PO Box 1257, GEELONG 3220
Bruce Gladwin
(03) 5221 2029
info@backtobacktheatre.com
Location: Barwon South Western and Grampians Regions
POD in Regional Victoria - $55,000
This is three collaborative residencies in regional Victoria involving Back to Back Theatre – Australia’s only professional theatre company driven by an ensemble of actors with intellectual disabilities – and three community based disability arts groups - Colac’s Ants Pants Arts, Ballarat’s Brrr Theatre and Warrnambool’s Break of Day Players.
Theatreworks – Rawcus Theatre Company
14 Acland Street ST KILDA
Heather Gourley
(03) 9534 4879
tworks@vicnet.net.au
Location: Southern Region
Raw Connections - $31,500
This grant will be used to develop a creative collaboration with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, stage a major production in collaboration with professional company ‘Born in a Taxi’, and a Community Awareness and Workshop program with disability services and schools.
Mount Alexander Shire Council
PO Box 185, CASTLEMAINE 3450
Debra Simpson
(03) 5471 1711
d.simpson@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Location: Loddon Mallee Region
Understanding Through Steno - $6,280
This project involves using stenocaptioning to purchase 12 hours of elected events at the 2005 Castlemaine State Festival to provide immediate access for deaf and hearing impaired people.
Leadership and active participation
Genetic Support Network of Victoria Inc
PO Box 1100, PARKVILLE 3052
Leah Lonsdale
(03) 8341 6315
llonsdale@gsnv.org.au
Location: Statewide
Empowering People to Participate in Policy and Service Development in Genetics – $36,000
People with genetic conditions will be trained and supported to act as community consultants for policy makers and service providers in human genetics to ensure that services and policies are relevant and appropriate.
Housing Resource and Support Service Inc
Suite 2/01, 2nd floor, Leicester St, CARLTON 3053
Marija Groen
(03) 9340 5111
marijahrss@netspace.net.au
Location: Statewide
Getting in Through the Planning Process - $49,500
Mentor local people and organisations to achieve systemic improved accessibility to buildings and facilities through a number of municipal Planning Amendment processes.
City of Greater Geelong
PO Box 104, GEELONG 3220
Janine Shelley
(03) 5227 0743
jshelley@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Location: Barwon South Western Region
In There Leadership Project - $39,640
The In There Leadership Project will support and extend the leadership/mentoring skills of people with a disability including a peer-mentoring role for past participants, and inclusion training program for community volunteers.
Ovens and King Community Health Service Incorporated
PO Box 244, WANGARATTA 3677
Neroli Raff
(03) 5722 2355
raffn@ovensandking.org.au
Location: Hume Region
Make Your Vote Count - $7,127
In conjunction with the local Electoral Commission office, an education program will be developed to increase awareness about the Australian government t system and how we participate in it. The project will increase participants' understanding and involvement in all levels of government, community decision-making and leadership.
No Limits C/O Action for Community Living Inc
179 High Street, NORTHCOTE 3070
Sarah Barton
0419 584 898
sbarton@mira.net
Location: Statewide
No Limits - $50,000
No Limits is a half-hour community television show on Channel 31 featuring a panel of hosts, all of whom have a disability, interviewing guests on a range of topics of interest to people with disabilities and their families.
Hepburn Health Service
PO Box 465, DAYLESFORD 3460
Fiona Strahan
(03) 5348 2523
fionas@hhs.vic.gov.au
Location: Grampians Region
Snakes and Ladders: A Game of Inclusion and Exclusion - $49,500
This project will work with local communities to develop a large interactive community education floor game of snake and ladders to enable a wide range of community members to experience the many barriers faced by people with disabilities.
Youth
Corio Bay Innovators Inc (dal)
PO Box 1495, GEELONG 3220
Marie Kuchenmeister
(03) 5223 1700
dialalunch@bigpond.com
Location: Barwon South Western Region
Establishing Innovative Supported Employment Settings - $30,000
The project aims to develop, trial and widely disseminate the model of supported employment being operated by dal, as an example of best practice. Outcomes include a manual and training package and an interactive website.
Child and Family Services Ballarat
115 Lydiard Street North, BALLARAT 3350
Fiona White
(03) 5337 3324
fwhite@cafsballarat.org.au
Location: Grampians Region
Growing Together - $60,000
Parents identified through Ballarat Health Services Maternity Unit will be offered an intensive and specifically modified ‘Day Stay’ service focussing on physical care and emotional development, and links into mainstream services.
Student Youth Network Inc
PO Box 12013 A’Beckett Street, MELBOURNE 8006
Bryce Ives
(03) 9925 9904
manager@synf.org.au
Location: Statewide
Pathways Project - $53,666
The project will establish a media outlet for young people with physical disabilities. They will learn how to create their own media and get their voices heard on Melbourne and Victorian community radio while working towards a qualification Certificate II in Broadcasting.
Broadmeadows Disability Services
241 Camp Road, BROADMEADOWS 3047
Barbera Van Den Vlekkert
(03) 9309 7448
barb@bds.org.au
Location: North and West Metropolitan Region
Hume Disability Partnership - $50,999
The project will facilitate a person-centred approach for young people with disabilities within local schools in the City of Hume to identify future aspirations and start transition options from 16 years of age.
Care and Communication Concern Welfare Services Inc
PO Box 1350, COLLINGWOOD 3066
Jill Mahar
(03) 9416 1104
ladyjill@uunet.com.au
Tom O’Brien
(03) 9793 1466
manager.hbt@tpg.com.au
Location: Southern Region
Rev It Up - $81,000
The project will assist young people with a disability over the 12 month pilot with targeted training in automotive car detailing, engine dismantling, parts recovery, and employment support and job matching.
Brotherhood of St Laurence
67 Brunswick Street, FITZROY 3065
George Housakos
(03) 9483 1183
ghousakos@bsl.org.au
Tony McLaine
(03) 9770 5137
tmclaine@bsl.org.au
Location: Southern Region
Unlocking Potential - $25,000
The project will provide workplace experience and training in a supportive furniture making workshop environment and assist with participants’ moves into employment or education.
Try Youth and Community Services Incorporated
PO Box 1173, TRARALGON 3844
Carol Campbell
(03) 5174 0433
carolcampbell@tryyouth.org.au
Location: Gippsland Region
Workshop Ready - $74,582
The project will give young people training in both the woodworking field and work readiness skills in a fully equipped and functioning workshop.
Sunraysia and Murray Group Training Ltd/Sunraysia Skills Centre
146A Eighth Street, MILDURA
Nicole Harris
(03) 5022 0741
nharris@smgt.com.au
Location: Loddon Mallee Region
Youth Employment Pathways Program - $51,840
The project will provide intensive training and work experience for six participants of the Futures for Young Adults program, facilitating their transition to employment through the new apprenticeships system.
Which projects were funded in 2003?
The Grants were offered for the first time in 2003. Anyone could apply to run a project in any area. Nineteen projects were chosen from 347 expressions of interest. Please see Summary of projects funded in 2003.
Summary of projects funded in 2003
Action for Community Living
179 High St, NORTHCOTE 3070
Cath McNamara
(03) 9489 2999
c.mcnamara@advocacyhouse.org
Location: Statewide
Eastern Region Neighbourhood Attendant Care/Support Cooperative – $42,150.00
This project, initiated by people who have a disability, aims to achieve greater control over and maximise the effective use of combined attendant support resources. A cooperative will be established with the assistance of a community development worker.
Case study: Eastern Region Neighbourhood Attendant Care/Support Cooperative (Word 33 KB).
Action for Community Living
179 High St, NORTHCOTE 3070
Jane Trengove
(03) 9489 2999
j.trengove@advocacyhouse.org
Location: Eastern Metro Region
Universal Access Strategy for Inclusive Tourism in Victoria – $20,000.00
As a result of this project a strategy will be developed that will put in place accessible tourism policies and practices throughout Victoria. In consultation with tourism operators, people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders, this strategy will be the primary tool used by Tourism Victoria and the wider tourism community to address the barriers to accessible tourism.
Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau Inc
PO Box 730, WODONGA 3690
Jenni Singleton
02 6021 0990
volunteercentre@hotkey.net.au
Include Us – Volunteer Opportunities for People with Disabilities - $50,000.00
The project aims to promote partnerships with community organisations and provide opportunities for people with a disability to participate more fully in their community through accessing volunteer roles
Arts Access in Partnership with ACMI
24 Eastern Rd, SOUTH MELBOURNE 3205
Ruth Whittingham
(03) 9699 8299
rwhittingham@artsaccess.com.au
Location: Metropolitan Melbourne
Digital Storytelling - $29,500.00
Participants with disabilities will attend 3-day workshops to gain the skills to create a ‘digital story’ or a 5-minute video of a story from their own lives. The videos will then be screened at the Disability Film Festival in December 2004.
Ballan and District Community House and Adult Education Centre Inc.
PO Box 71, BALLAN 3342
Susan Thompson
(03) 5368 1934
bdchaec@netconnect.com.au
Location: Grampians
Building Abilities Learning Locally and Networking - $9,380.00
This project seeks to ensure that people with disabilities who live in Ballan and district will have the choice to participate in supported learning and skill development in their own community.
City of Greater Bendigo
PO Box 733, BENDIGO 3552
Rosalie Rogers
(03) 5434 6404
r.rogers@bendigo.vic.gov.au
Location: Regional
Access Education and the Future Generations – $7,506.00
This project will develop at least five 3 hour workshops in the areas of access issues and the importance of inclusion targeted at the students and lecturers for the Bachelor degrees in Engineering and Community Planning and Development, La Trobe University, Bendigo campus.
Case study: Access Education and Future Generations (Word 101 KB).
Colac Otway Shire Aged and Disability Services
PO Box 283, COLAC 3250
Cherise Jettner
(03) 5232 9420
cherise.jettner@colacotway.vic.gov.au
Project Area: Barwon South West
'DARE' – Disability Access Radio Express - $11,500.00
Made for and by people with a disability, this initiative will provide training and opportunities for people with a disability to work alongside other professionals and community members by providing equipment, staff support and Certificate 2 in Radio broadcasting training for nine participants.
Case study: DARE project (Word 32 KB).
Deakin University
School of Health and Social Development
Deakin University, Burwood Highway
BURWOOD 3125
Kevin Murfitt
(03) 9251 7190
Location: Statewide
Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) - $25,000.00
This program will match tertiary students who have a disability with mentors in organisations relevant to the student’s career interests for a series of six to eight one to two hour mentoring sessions in the mentor’s workplace.
La Trobe City
La Trobe city
PO Box 345, TRARALGON 3844
Bill Lawler
(03) 5128 5610
billa@latrobe.vic.gov.au
Location: Gippsland
Skilling Up to Shape the Future - $23,000.00
The aim of this project is to enable people with a disability to gain the skills and confidence to actively participate on a broad range of steering/advisory committees and reference groups in the government and community sector at local, regional and statewide levels.
Melbourne Citymission North West
123 Albion Street
BRUNSWICK VIC 3056
Tom Worsnop
(03) 9385 3200
tworsnop@mcm.org.au
Neighbour-Ring: People living with ABI in the community assisting themselves and each other - $45,000.00
This project aims to establish the first Neighbour-ring; a group of up to nine people with ABI living within easy distance of each other in the community who need a little extra support to pursue individual lifestyle choices.
Melbourne Citymission
219 Brunswick Rd, BRUNSWICK 3056
Kim Barker
(03) 9385 3200
kbarker@mcm.org.au
Location: Northern Metro Region
Parenting in Partnership - $52,706.00
Parenting in partnership is a mentoring program for parents with an intellectual disability. It has been designed to reduce the social pressures which research suggests are the main factors that contribute to parenting capacity.
Municipal Association of Victoria
12/60 Collins Street, MELBOURNE 3000
Viv Shepherdson
(03) 9667 5543
vshepherdson@mav.asn.au
Location: Statewide
MAV/DACV Civic Participation Project - $50,859.00
This project will facilitate and support more active, effective civic participation for individuals with a disability across Victoria enabling them to participate as members of advisory councils and committees.
ParaQuad Victoria
208 Wellington St, COLLINGWOOD 3066
Simon Payne
(03) 9415 1200
spayne@paraquad.asn.au
Location: Northern Metro Region
Our Clients: Our Trainers – $30,000.00
This project will train ten people with a disability to become accredited workplace trainers, and then develop, pilot, and deliver the Certificate IV in Community Services Disability Work for a group of twenty direct care staff.
Case study: Our Clients: Our Trainers (Word 30 KB).
Scope (Vic)
Communication Resource Centre
830 Whitehorse Rd, BOX HILL 3128
Karen Bloomberg
(03) 9843 2003
kbloomberg.crc.@scopevic.org.au
Location: Western Metro Region
Libraries for All - $27,000.00
This project will develop a range of communication aids, products and resources for people with complex communications needs to enable them to participate in, enjoy and access the Victorian state library services.
Scope (Vic)
177 Glenroy Rd, GLENROY 3046
Cindy Hamilton
(03) 9843 3003
activatemetro@scopevic.org.au
Location: Western Metro Region
The Life Long Learning Circle Project $15,000.00
The Learning Circle project will bring together key players in the Western Metropolitan Region in adult learning, disability, employment and education to form a learning circle. A learning circle is an established approach - based on adult learning principals - to share, discuss and debate ideas and issues and then move forward to creating local community action.
Scope (Vic)
830 Whitehorse Rd, BOX HILL 3128
Cindy Hamilton
(03) 9843 3003
activatemetro@scopevic.org.au
Location: Eastern Region, with a resourcing and support role in other metropolitan regions
Activate.COM Metropolitan Development Project - $80,000.00
Activate.com works to enhance the capacity of both the disability day program sector and the wider community sector in supporting inclusion of people with a disability in the life of the community.
Scope (Vic)
830 Whitehorse Rd, BOX HILL 3128
Elena Jenkin
(03) 9843 2072
ejenkin@scopevic.org.au
Location: Southern Metropolitan Region
Scope Lifestyles Community Capacity Building Project - $39,000.00
Twenty-six individuals within the Southern Metropolitan Region will participate in a demonstration project of individual planning, particularly in relation to future options for day support.
UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania
Justice and International Mission Unit
130 Lt. Collins St, MELBOURNE 3000
Dr Mark Zirnsak
(03) 9251 5265
mark.zirnsak@vic.uca.org.au
Location: Statewide
Inclusion of people with disabilities in faith communities - $39,000.00
This project seeks to work with existing faith communities to strengthen their responses to the social inclusion of people with disabilities. Strategies will be developed and shared through the existing networks of the Victorian Council of Churches and the Leaders of Faith Communities Forum.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants?
- How will Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation projects make a difference?
- What have the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants achieved so far?
What is the purpose of the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants?
The Victorian State Disability Plan was launched in 2002. It is different from previous plans and challenges people to think differently about disability. The State Disability Plan:
- Is based on fundamental principles of human rights and social justice
- Addresses the whole Victorian government
- Addresses the whole community
- Considers all aspects of life.
Innovation Grants are a way of 'bringing to life' the principles of the State Disability Plan. Innovation Grants provide an opportunity to get behind projects that inspire a different way of thnking about disability by:
- Producing new examples of innovative policy, practice and partnerships
- Increasing collaboration with key stakeholders around innovative work
- Promoting accessible communities
- Providing opportunities for people with a disability.
How will Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation projects make a difference?
- Providing examples of good practice. These can inspire others to change and try different ways of doing things.
- Promoting the development of partnerships. The State Disability Plan emphasises the need for the whole of the community and the whole of Government to think and act differently.
- Providing evidence of what works and what doesn’t.
- Sharing information and knowledge about new approaches to disability.
What have the Victorian State Disability Plan Innovation Grants achieved so far?
The first year of the grants program funded a wide range of projects from across the community and disability sector. Nineteen projects were funded on the basis that they demonstrated innovation and partnership in ways that progressed the goals of the State Disability Plan. A summary of projects in 2003 is available from this page.
The second year of the grants program was more targeted, providing funding to 24 projects across three catagories: Arts and Diversity, Leadership and Active Participation and Youth. A summary of projects in 2004 is available from this page.
To date, members of Victorian communities, service providers, local government, non-government agencies and people with a disability have been involved as participants and project organisers.