Motivation Australia in collaboration with the Aboriginal Resource Development Service Inc. (ARDS) have recently completed a project as part of the Australian Government Practical Design Fund programme. This FaHCSIA programme is in preparation for the national disability insurance scheme, DisabilityCare Australia, which commences in July 2013.
At the end of 2012, Motivation Australia received a grant from FaHCSIA’s Practical Design Fund to work with Yolngu communities in East Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia.
The focus of this work was on developing a shared understanding of Yolngu language and worldview concepts of disability. This is one of the crucial first steps to support clear communication between future government departments, service providers and community members in light of the upcoming National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Motivation Australia in cooperation with the First People’s Disability Network (FPDN, formerly the Aboriginal Disability Network) carried out consultations in ten communities in East Arnhem Land, Central Desert, Northern Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands. Twenty-six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with mobility disabilities participated and related their stories and experiences of being service users.
Motivation Australia, the First People’s Disability Network (Australia) and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre worked together to draw stakeholders together for the first Symposium addressing the mobility needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island People. Wheelchair users, clinicians, suppliers, non-government organisations and government organisations presented the current challenges that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island People face in accessing an appropriate wheelchair, as defined by the World Health Organisation.
On Monday 3rd December the federal government announced the successful recipients of FaHCSIA’s Practical Design Fund. We are pleased to announce that Motivation Australia have been successful and will receive a grant to carry out a project in East Arnhem Land in partnership with ARDS (Aboriginal Resource Development Service) and local groups. This is the beginning of an exploration for Motivation Australia and our partners into what the NDIS will mean for Indigenous Australians with disabilities.
Motivation Australia is constantly being asked whether we can provide Worldmade Wheelchairs in Australia. The Wheelchairs have been designed for wheelchair users living in environments where the terrain is challenging and accessing repair services are extremely difficult. Worldmade Wheelchairs are therefore incredibly robust, can be maintained locally, and provide an excellent ride over rough and sandy terrain. Yet the wheelchairs do not compromise on the postural support provided for the wheelchair user and come with a pressure relief and posture support cushion.