In February we had the pleasure of delivering the Ngiyani Employer Program to attendees from Legal Aid and TAFE NSW, where participants had an opportunity to unpack the findings from the recently handed down Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Our program explores Volume 9, which focuses specifically on First Nations people with a disability.
Participants at Legal Aid had an opportunity to hear from our Aboriginal Education Officer Solomon, a young Kamilaroi man living with disability, as he passionately spoke about the barriers he experiences on a daily basis. One example he talked about was the use of public transport and how at times there can be challenges for people who use a wheelchair.
To help participants begin to understand the barriers faced by people with disability, Solomon, Jared and Janine put attendees through a series of ‘Survivor-like’ challenges which highlighted difficulties when sight, hearing and physical ability is impacted. Realising not everyone is cut out to be Australia’s top Survivor, participants happily transitioned to the main focus of the program; researching the key findings from Volume 9 and with the support of Mirri Mirri, developed Organisational Action Plans which aims to create a more inclusive workplace environment for First Nations peoples living with disability.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with one attendee writing “As always, we loved your training. Our team has been talking about what special skills you all have as trainers in the way you engage, entertain, teach and get everyone involved and reflecting. It really is very impressive.”
We want to extend a big thanks to both Legal Aid and TAFE NSW for hosting us and we look forward to continuing our work together in creating inclusive workplaces for First Nations people with disability.