The State Government has funded Kimberley-based Wunan Foundation $620,000 over two years to provide advocacy services for Aboriginal people with disability.
The Wunan Foundation's East Kimberley Disability Advocacy Project will deliver a centralised 'hub and spoke' disability advocacy program across the East Kimberley, including the towns of Kununurra, Wyndham and remote communities such as Kalumburu, Doon and Warmun. The Wunan Foundation also established the first place-based advocacy service in Halls Creek.
By providing disability advocacy services, Wunan Foundation will assist Aboriginal people with disability in engaging with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, particularly with assessments of eligibility for NDIS funded services and supports.
The project will engage local community ambassadors to deliver events and information about disability issues and services in the East Kimberley.
The funding will also enable Wunan Foundation to provide mentoring and support for local community ambassadors who wish to pursue a career in the disability sector.
The State Government allocated a total of $8 million for advocacy for people with disability, their families and carers in 2020-21. Existing advocacy providers received $4.56 million through direct allocation to continue delivering positive outcomes for people requiring individual and specialist advocacy services.
This package of funding will support people with disability, their families and carers across the State, as well as local organisations in advocating for better outcomes for people with disability.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"Wunan Foundation has been working in partnership with the State Government for several years, providing advocacy and outreach services for Aboriginal people with disability in the East Kimberley.
"The State Government is pleased to fund the Wunan Foundation for a further two years to ensure its work in assisting Aboriginal people with disability to live independently in their community will continue.
"By providing disability advocacy, Wunan Foundation is enabling Aboriginal people with disability to participate and be involved in the decision-making processes that safeguard and advance their human rights.
"This advocacy work will ensure better wellbeing, quality of life, sense of community connection and social inclusion for Aboriginal people with disability in the East Kimberley."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"Wunan do a great job advocating for Aboriginal people with disability in the East Kimberley, and ensuring they have access to the necessary services and supports provided through the NDIS.
"The $620,000 provided by the McGowan Government over the next two years will enable Wunan to continue providing culturally appropriate, individual advocacy to Aboriginal people with disability so they can navigate and access support through the NDIS."
