Disability Services Minister Don Punch has officially opened new premises for the Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC) today.
EDAC was established in 1995 to support people with disability from non-English speaking backgrounds, their families and carers in accessing disability services.
EDAC provides advocacy services for people with all types of disability including physical, sensory, intellectual and psychiatric conditions.
In recent years EDAC has expanded into the wider Perth metropolitan area and the Pilbara and Kimberley regions, opening regional offices in Mandurah, Newman and Broome.
In 2016 EDAC initiated discussions with Lotterywest about moving to bigger premises, as staff numbers grew with increased funding provided by the Commonwealth and State Governments to deliver programs and services to its target groups.
EDAC was able to purchase a property in Main Street, Osborne Park in March 2020 thanks to $332,000 Lotterywest funding.
Further Lotterywest funding of $305,600 has enabled a total fit-out of the office space.
The new permanent premises, additional office space and larger meeting rooms will enable EDAC to provide self-advocacy training, cultural competency advice, training for disability service providers and meeting spaces for peer support groups.
The fit-out meets the accessibility needs of clients and staff with disability, including the installation of a disability accessible lift and a compliant ramp to the front door.
The relocation also marks the transition to a new name for the organisation. From today, EDAC will now be known as Kin - Disability Advocacy for Diverse Communities, a name chosen to better reflect the work the organisation does and the people it supports.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"Advocacy services like those provided by Kin are vital to ensure the rights and interests of people with disability, their families and carers are upheld.
"Kin has always had, and continues to have, a strong connection with people who have lived experience of disability.
"The Kin team are wholly focused on promoting, protecting and safeguarding the rights and interests of people with disability who are from diverse cultures, and the new permanent Main Street premises will enable the organisation to continue making profound, often life-changing contributions to the individuals they represent."
