Western Australia's Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC) has received more than $600,000 from the State Government to help purchase and fit-out a new head office to support its important work assisting vulnerable people in the community.
Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Paul Papalia and Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson this week announced a $638,584 Lotterywest grant in support of the project.
EDAC supports individuals, carers and families across 63 ethnic backgrounds who present with physical, psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. The centre works to enable them to access services and engage fully in all aspects of community life.
The new facility will enable EDAC to expand and support advocacy and community activities to enhance the wellbeing of Western Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with disabilities, and their carers.
The funding will go towards purchasing the building, as well as the supply and installation of an accessibility lift and furniture.
EDAC was established in 1995 to meet the needs of people with disability from non-English speaking backgrounds and to improve the uptake of disability services.
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Paul Papalia:
"It is essential that we have the infrastructure in place to provide accessible and culturally appropriate services in the disability sector.
"People with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can face additional challenges and are historically under-represented in accessing services and in engaging with their local communities.
"We are committed to assisting the Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre to break down barriers faced by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds when accessing disability services.
"This funding will facilitate significant improvements in program delivery, as well as improved and additional support for clients.
"This includes counselling space, ongoing accommodation and flexible meeting rooms that will allow activities to take place at the same time to meet demand and reduce waiting lists."
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring people with disability get the best of support, regardless of their cultural background.
"People living with disability can often face added challenges in dealing with language barriers or cultural difficulties. These new funds will make a big difference to their lives."
