Bairnsdale Families Peer Group
2021-04-13 11:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Bairnsdale Hub, 27 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale, Vic, Australia
Peer Family Groups provide peer support and encouragement for families who have a person with disability to:

Network with other people experiencing the same situations, needs and issues.
Learn to make NDIS supports work to achieve the personal goals of their family member and to empower the family member to make more decisions and choices
Explore ways their family member can make relationships and friendships that empower and create confidence
Explore ways to increase opportunities for recreation, work, and community participation for their family member

For more information please contact Annette Axen at VALID on: 0407 375 633 annette@valid.org.au
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Bairnsdale Peer Action Group
2021-04-20 11:00 - 13:00 | GDAI office,, 210 Main Street, Bairnsdale, VIC, Australia
Peer Action Groups provide peer support and encouragement for people with disability to:

Network with other people experiencing the same situations, needs and issues.
Learn to make NDIS supports work to achieve personal goals and become more able to make decisions and choices
Create relationships and friendships that empower and create confidence
Increase opportunities for recreation, work, and community participation
Develop self-advocacy skills and learn to access independent advocacy support when needed
Do projects together to improve and promote more inclusive communities for everyone

For more information please contact Annette Axen at VALID on: 0407 375 633 annette@valid.org.au
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Bairnsdale Peer Action Group
2021-05-13 10:00 - 12:00 | The Hub, 27 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale.
Peer Action Groups provide peer support and encouragement for people with disability to:

Network with other people experiencing the same situations, needs and issues.
Learn to make NDIS supports work to achieve personal goals and become more able to make decisions and choices
Create relationships and friendships that empower and create confidence
Increase opportunities for recreation, work, and community participation
Develop self-advocacy skills and learn to access independent advocacy support when needed
Do projects together to improve and promote more inclusive communities for everyone

Contact Annette 0407 375 633 or annette@valid.org.au
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Two Day Online Conference
2021-06-16 | Online
With the COVID outbreak we reluctantly have postponed The Having a Say conference from June to February 2022.
We are not willing to let this keep us down, even though Having a Say is not happening next week we are running an online conference on the 16th and 17th June and we would really like to have you join us for the –

We Can’t Be Beaten!
Two Day Online Conference
Registration:
You will need to register
for both days on to the following links:
Zoom link day 1:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqdOyoqTspGNEPIPod85O7ddXKW4EDNJvN
Zoom link day 2:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAufuiupz4rHdDmbKnjUvJG7x_-b0Ks7M1R
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting and a program/information booklet.
For more information email: info@valid.org.au
Download the flyer here
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Online Families as Planning Partners NDIS Course
2021-06-21 17:45 - 21:00 | Online
Are you getting the best out of your NDIS funding?
Do you know your rights – with services? with the NDIS?
Are you prepared for your next Plan Review?
This is an online course by trainers who are parents with personal experience of the NDIS, for families who want to build a ‘good life’ and future for their family member. Course fee (families – 4 sessions x $100) can be funded through your family member’s NDIS Plan.
In February – March 2021 we have both Day Courses (9.45am to 1pm) and Evening courses (5.45pm to 9pm) ONLINE via ZOOM
Register by 22nd February 2021
Session 1. How the NDIS processes work. New changes.
Session 2. Getting effective Support from your NDIS package
Session 3. Develop a plan for the future.
Session 4. How to Manage the Plan supports and funding.
For assistance with payment, NDIS claims or more information contact: Maree Hewitt T: 0409 965 264 E: maree@valid.org.au
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Online Workshops for Families
2021-06-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-06-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Vic
These workshops are 􀍚stand-alone􀍛 sessions. People are welcome to do one or more. more. They are presented in a user-friendly format ONLINE by parents with life experience of using the NDIS.
For more information or assistance to register contact: Donna Shaw Mob: 0402 757 987 Email: donna@valid.org.
To Register: Complete the form.

Online Workshops for Families
2021-06-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Vic
These workshops are 􀍚stand-alone􀍛 sessions. People are welcome to do one or more. more. They are presented in a user-friendly format ONLINE by parents with life experience of using the NDIS.
For more information or assistance to register contact: Donna Shaw Mob: 0402 757 987 Email: donna@valid.org.
To Register: Complete the form.

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The Succession Planning Puzzle
2021-08-02 17:45 - 21:00, 2021-09-06 17:45 - 21:00, 2021-09-08 09:45 - 13:00 | Vic
It is the question all parents have – who is going to care for my family member when I’m not around?
VALID’s Succession Planning course is free for Victorian family members of people with disability. It includes four core sessions and three optional sessions:
• To assist you to ‘map’ out what things you need to put in place for the future
• Information on options for financial, accommodation and legal issues
• Setting up your family member to receive ‘quality of care’, e.g. Circle of Support
• Optional sessions will have guest speakers on Wills, trusts, Supportive Attorneys, Guardianship & Admin and what accommodation support is funded by the NDIS
If you are interested in doing this course please fill this form in and take a photo or scan of it and return to Maree E: maree@valid.org.au M: 0409 965 264
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The Succession Planning Puzzle
2021-08-04 09:45 - 13:00 | Vic
It is the question all parents have – who is going to care for my family member when I’m not around?
VALID’s Succession Planning course is free for Victorian family members of people with disability. It includes four core sessions and three optional sessions:• To assist you to ‘map’ out what things you need to put in place for the future
• Information on options for financial, accommodation and legal issues
• Setting up your family member to receive ‘quality of care’, e.g. Circle of Support
• Optional sessions will have guest speakers on Wills, trusts, Supportive Attorneys, Guardianship & Admin and what accommodation support is funded by the NDIS If you are interested in doing this course please fill this form in and take a photo or scan of
If you are interested in doing this course please fill this form in and take a photo or scan of it and return to Maree E: maree@valid.org.au M: 0409 965 264
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Invitation for the service of Mrs Dorothy Leigh at Tuckers Grovedale Funeral chapel
2021-09-07 13:50 - 14:30 | Online
Friends of VALID, you are invited to attend the funeral of Dot Leigh on Tuesday 7 September at 1:50pm. You can attend the funeral online.

To attend the funeral:

Login at https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/login

Username: aobrien@opp.vic.gov.au

Password: [REDACTED]

Dot was a strong, passionate advocate for over 40 years. She was a critical leader in VALID’s work defending the rights of people with in intellectual disability over 25 years.

Dot made a powerful speech about her advocacy work at VALID’s Annual General Meeting in 2019 when she finished as Committee President. You can read the speech below:

“Life is what happens when we are busy making other plans”.
I was catapulted into the disability world 44 years ago when my son Greg was diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome. The first few weeks are a bit of a blur but I do remember a friend asking if I was going to bring him home, this was never considered as an option.
I also remember being referred to St Nicholas Hospital to have him registered. We came up against our first brick wall when our application for what was then the handicapped child allowance was knocked back.
To appeal we were required to have Greg assessed by two independent doctors at the Children’s Hospital. Our appeal was successful but little did I know appeals, submissions, political activism etc. would become part of our daily lives. Fundraising, committee’s, workshops etc. would also become a lifetime commitment along with learning how to decipher acronyms, GSP’s, ISP’s, ATTS’s etc.
Because I was so unprepared and had little or no knowledge of Down Syndrome I had a lot to learn about the best way to cope and what to expect. The urge to meet other parents was really strong, and as we were living in Heidelberg at the time we joined Kalparrin, which was then a playgroup for children from 0-6 years. Sharing the experience and knowledge of other parents was a real comfort and my first taste of parents supporting parents which I still value to this day.
We moved to Kinglake in early 1979 and Rosie, who has Down Syndrome, joined our family in May 1979. She spent the first 3 months of her life in St Joseph’s Home in Ballarat. Much to my horror I’d become aware that babies with disabilities were being made “Wards of the State” (often on doctor’s advice) even as late as the 1970’s.
Both Greg and Rosie attended the local kindergarten with me in tow. Greg started school at the Whittlesea Day Training Centre (later Merriang SDS), which seemed the most appropriate setting for him at the time. Rosie attended the local primary school for 3 1/2 years. The first two years were really positive with a great teacher, full time aide, a top notch Principal and an accepting school community. Staff changes and a reduction in aide time led to Rosie being unhappy, me being stressed and anxious and eventually to the breakdown of the program.
I was asked to keep Rosie home at times when the aide wasn’t there, which I wasn’t prepared to do. One parent said “if Rosie comes to school tomorrow I am keeping my children home” and a teacher said to me “wouldn’t she be better with her own kind”. Despite how the school attitude had changed, people were somewhat surprised when I decided to look for other education options for Rosie.
“What can you expect from parents of children like these!” stated a Special School Principal. Parents are often judged as being non accepting, over protective, over demanding, too emotional, or too ambitious. Fortunately attitudes are changing and parents are being recognised as life long carers, with much more to offer than just raising funds. It was during the 1950’s & 60’s that concerned parents banded together to establish services when there was nothing available for their children.
I was among the parents invited to be part of the VALID Monitoring Scheme which was state funded, to play a positive role in ensuring group homes were real homes. From there I moved on to attend VALID state-wide Network Meetings providing a forum to share information and gather feedback on systemic issues affecting adults with intellectual disability, their families and advocates.
This agenda ticked all the boxes for me and I am still here 29 years later.
I’ve seen many policy and attitude changes over the years. VALID has been a major player and a positive influence in many areas:

Putting intellectual disability on the agenda and raising community awareness
Recognizing the significant role of parents
Promoting the growth of self advocacy
Supporting or rather demanding the closure of institutions
Engaging constructively with allies e.g. seeking commitment from parties at election time
Organising and promoting the annual Having a Say Conference and a number of expos
Providing information and support for people navigating through the NDIS

The time has come for me to stand down from the VALID Committee. I feel very proud and privileged to be part of such a forward thinking, hands on organisation. I have cherished my time working with intelligent, courageous and resourceful people. While I am suffering withdrawal symptoms I am confident that VALID will continue to build on what has already been achieved. I will stay in touch and continue to be part of the Geelong Parent Network which is one of the VALID Peer Action Groups.
Thank you to the people who have placed their trust in me over many years.

Victorian Inclusive Community Development Network 2021 Online Forum Series
2021-09-22 13:30 - 15:30 | Online
The Inclusive Community Development Network (ICDN) was set up to bring people with a disability and organisations together who are interested in sharing knowledge and information about their community development practice and the ways they are building more inclusive communities. The Network is supported and facilitated by the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability (VALID).
The ICDN meets to share information about issues and aspirations and to work on community development projects and campaigns, including the development of pathways to community leadership and influence.
The Network aims to link people to a broader community of practice to help build some common understandings about the power of community development to position people with disabilities as leaders of social change.
ICDN introduces 4 ONLINE events from August to December 2021
These 2 hour events will be hosted as part of the ICDN network meetings on August 11th, September 22nd and November 3rd. We are also planning a full day forum on December 1st to celebrate International Day of People with a Disability.
Strong Foundations – Political Literacy as a Building Block for Change
Wednesday September 22, 2021
1.30 – 3.30pm
Emily Bieber, Dept of Social Work, Latrobe University
Lucie Holden, Manager, Watsonia Neighbourhood House
VALID Peer Action Group Leaders.
To register please click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvceiqrT4oEtV3MXh9ZNz9XcB0mTPpzpgs
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sessions
2021-09-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Online
VALID is hosting two Information sessions about the COVID-19 Vaccine.These sessions will be presented by COVID Vaccine Champions (one will be a doctor) from the Department of Health who will tell us about the latest news on the roll out of the COVID-19 Vaccine program.
There will be lots of time to ask your questions. Join us at one of these FREE Online Events.
Session 1. For people with disability
When: Wednesday 29th September 2021
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Where: On Zoom
For more information: jon@valid.org.au
You need to register for this meeting. Click on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudOGppj8pE9O0XB_YU3PTHCcy4f_tVaNp
You will get an email with information about how to join the meeting.
Session 2. For families
When: Thursday 30th September 2021
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Where: On Zoom
For more information: christine@valid.org.au
You need to register for this meeting. Click on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkcemgrDMsG9IkKcMnDJRkli9J9JZm4e3W
You will get an email with information about how to join the meeting.

Building Community through Collaboration Online Forum
2021-12-01 09:30 - 13:00 | Online
Celebrate International Day of People with the Victorian Inclusive Community Development Network
Pieces in the Jigsaw: Building Community through Collaboration
Wednesday, December 1st 2021
9.30am – 1.00pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpc-2orz0vEtXM88QAja7NH2O8lcqF-vQss
As a lead up to International Day Celebrations, VALID and the Victorian Inclusive Community Development Network invites you to the Pieces in the Jigsaw Online Forum. If you would like to join us please click on the link above to register. (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting).
Pieces in the Jigsaw will examine strategies for building stronger collaboration and partnerships between key organisations and stakeholders in local communities to build opportunities for meaningful social participation and community membership by people with disability.
Our Program
9.30 Welcome
9.45 Keynote Address – Professor Bruce Bonyhady, Melbourne Disability Institute, University of Melbourne
10.15 Panel Discussion (See Details Below)
11.15 Break
11.30 Workshop Discussion
12.20 Workshop Feedback
12.45 Where to from here?
1.00 Close
The aim forum aim is to facilitate links between peer to peer work, specialist support services and mainstream community organisations to enable us to draw on the wisdom of whole communities to promote people with disabilities as active and engaged citizens. We believe that by providing opportunities for people with disability to engage as active citizens their insights and lived experience will be more central to community building and planning activities. But how do we collaborate to make this happen?

The forum is conducted in the spirit of Article 19 of the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disability which states that:
‘all persons with disabilities have the equal right to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and that we shall take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the community.’

Online Writers Group
2021-12-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
After the great success from Stories from Home, the Community Development team has formed an online writing group. The group is a great opportunity for you to talk about your writing ideas, why you write, how you go about your writing, your favourite writers and why you love writing. It should be a lot of fun.
As it is the last meeting for the year we hope you have some Christmas words/writing or 2021 reflections to share with us.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82882541236?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 828 8254 1236
Passcode: [REDACTED]

The Succession Planning Puzzle
2022-03-07 17:45 - 21:00, 2022-03-09 17:45 - 21:00 | Online
THIS COURSE IS FULL
It is the question all parents have – who is going to care for my family member when I’m not around?
VALID’s Succession Planning course is free for Victorian family members of people with disability. It includes four core sessions and three optional sessions:
• To assist you to ‘map’ out what things you need to put in place for the future
• Information on options for financial, accommodation and legal issues
• Setting up your family member to receive ‘quality of care’, e.g. Circle of Support
• Optional sessions will have guest speakers on Wills, trusts, Supportive Attorneys, Guardianship & Admin and what accommodation support is funded by the NDIS
If you are interested in doing this course please fill this form in and take a photo or scan of it and return to Maree E: maree@valid.org.au M: 0409 965 264
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

Friendship Project Dance Classes
2022-03-11 14:00 - 16:00 | 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3977, Australia
Do you fancy a boogie?

Community Development Team Leader Ann Hutchinson and volunteers are working on the Kurki kurki Friendship Project and running dance classes. They would love for you to come along.

The classes are on Fridays and start at 2pm. Each class costs $5 and includes afternoon tea.

You can find out more here

The Succession Planning Puzzle
2022-04-06 09:45 - 13:00, 2022-05-02 17:45 - 21:00 | Online
It is the question all parents have – who is going to care for my family member when I’m not around?
VALID’s Succession Planning course is free for Victorian family members of people with disability. It includes four core sessions and three optional sessions:
• To assist you to ‘map’ out what things you need to put in place for the future
• Information on options for financial, accommodation and legal issues
• Setting up your family member to receive ‘quality of care’, e.g. Circle of Support
• Optional sessions will have guest speakers on Wills, trusts, Supportive Attorneys, Guardianship & Admin and what accommodation support is funded by the NDIS
If you are interested in doing this course please fill this form in and take a photo or scan of it and return to Maree E: maree@valid.org.au M: 0409 965 264
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

[They will use] My First Name
2022-05-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
VALID presents “[They will use] My First Name”, a virtual reality documentary exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disability in Australia’s criminal justice systems.
With the police. In court. In prison. People with intellectual disability, especially First Nations people, are overrepresented across all areas of Australia’s criminal justice systems, often resulting from trauma and lifelong disadvantage.
A 2013 Victorian parliamentary inquiry reported that people with intellectual disability were “anywhere between 40 and 300 percent more likely to be jailed than people without intellectual disability”. Yet this is a problem that successive governments have so far been unable to solve.
[They Will Use] My First Name has been released by VALID to accompany a year long participatory research project “Justice For All”. The project was established in response to the increasing need for support and advocacy VALID witnessed for people with intellectual disability involved in the criminal justice system.
You can download the Justice For All report here
VALID invites you to the launch on WEDNESDAY 18 MAY at 3pm of its Justice for All project and short film [They will use] My First Name. The launch will include a live stream of the film (17 mins) and a panel discussion with Q and A opportunities with people involved in the project including the narrators, the project team and disability advocates. The discussion will focus on the rights of people with disability in our criminal justice system, how we can create equal access to justice and ensure all people are free from violence and neglect. You can register here.

Online Writers Group
2022-06-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Once a month VALID runs an online writers group. It is a great opportunity for people to get creative and share their stories with other writers. Each month group members get to choose their own themes and share their pieces the following month.
We will share the Zoom link the day before the month!
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International Day of People with Disability: Come and Try Dance Sessions
2022-11-18 14:00 - 15:00 | 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3977, Australia
The Kurki Kurki Friendship Project team and Casey Council are holding a Come and Try Dance Session. Come along on Friday 18 November for the FREE session at the Factory Rehearsal Centre for the Arts – Room 1. For more information contact Ann at ann@valid.org.au or on 0410 479 545.

International Day of People with Disability: Memory Go Round
2022-12-01 14:00 - 20:00 | Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Melbourne, Victoria, 3067, Australia
The Performing Arts Peer Action Group are proud to be part of the Memory Go Round Exhibition
Five disabled artists share their intimate memories through installations at Memory-Go-Round (MGR). This installation celebrates diversity and the arts for the International Day of People with Disabilities.
MGR warmly invites the audience to an immersive installation. You will enter into an intimate and contemplative space of storytelling; from the interior of a car, to the memory of a church, to a dressing room, to Oliver Twist, and a sensory garden experience.
MGR captures the emotive imagination through the universal language of the senses, focusing on atmosphere and the expression of stories through light and shadow, sound, texture, taste and smell.
This sensory practice is sculpted by creatives specialising in sound, media and theatre. MGR aims to create a multi-disciplinary platform for lesser-heard stories to be shared with the broader community.
This event is fully accessible and you can find out more here.
Image courtesy of Distrupting Sighted Ableism. Photo by Carla Gottgens
PHOTO DESCRIPTION
The projection image is set at night and is dark and moody. There are projections of water droplets in shades of blue on the roof of a large space. We look up from the ground level at the back of people sitting in a car seat in the space with a windscreen window shape in front of them also with water droplets on it.

International Day of People with Disability: Morning Tea and Award Ceremony
2022-12-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Ballarat Town Hall, 225 Sturt St, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Ballarat Working Together Group invites you to come along and enjoy morning tea and music as we celebrate people with disability and their amazing contributions to our community.
The Matt Mattson Accessible Venue and Shane Everard Sport and Recreation Leadership Awards will also be presented.
VALID CEO, Fionn Skiotis, will be speaking at the event in honour of the day.
Please tell us you are coming and your accessibility requirements. Email mark@valid.org.au or phone 0418 573 702.
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International Day of People with Disability: Growing up Disabled in Australia
2022-12-05 14:00 - 16:30 | Watsonia Neighbourhood House, 47 Lambourn Rd, Watsonia, Victoria, 3087
Join a special guest guest panel of authors as they share stories from the acclaimed anthology , “Growing up Disabled in Australia”, and discuss issues around inclusion, identity and belonging.
There will be light refreshments and Questions and Answers with the authors. Email David Hansen to book – davidh@valid.org.au

International Day of People with Disability: Fantastic Flicks
2022-12-06 13:00 - 15:30 | Vic
Celebrate International Day of People with a Disability with a screening of Fantastic Flicks at Moe Library. The screening of these films is made possible by our filmmakers and producers from City of Port Phillip, Arts Access Victoria, the Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) and MOJO Films.
You can register to attend the event by sending an email to David Hansen – davidh@valid.org.au.

Southern Self Advocacy Network Meeting
2023-03-27 10:45 - 11:45 | Vic
VALID’s Southern Self Advocacy Network Meeting has changed venue.
The meeting is on next Monday, 27th March
at Castlefield Community Centre
505 Bluff Road, Hampton
10:45am – 11:45am
Please come a few minutes early if you would like to have a cuppa and biscuits before the meeting starts.
Meeting Agenda
