Multicultural Disability Advocacy Australia

03/06/2026

We’re pleased to share that our peers at Side By Side Advocacy are hosting a practical one-day workshop focused on building genuine connections between people with intellectual disability and their communities.

Presented by international expert Dr Angela Amado, the workshop will highlight real-world strategies, stories, and examples to support meaningful relationships, inclusion, and belonging.

Parramatta Town Hall
18 June 2026
9:30am – 4:00pm

This workshop is ideal for anyone committed to reducing social isolation and building more inclusive communities.

Register via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-with-community-with-angela-amado

03/06/2026

MDAA has signed up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme supporting people with disabilities that may not be so obvious to the casual observer. Many people with a disability use or carry something – whether that’s a wheelchair, guide dog, hearing aid or white cane – that visibly indicates what the disability might be. But other disabilities, such as autism, dementia, mental health issues or learning difficulties, are not so obvious. Under the Hidden Disability Sunflower scheme, people with such disabilities can choose to wear a lanyard bearing a sunflower logo as a subtle way of letting others know that they may require additional support, assistance or a bit more time. Find out more about the Sunflower at www.hiddendisabilitiesshop.com.au

29/05/2026

With so many issues currently impacting on the rights of people across Australia and here in NSW, an upcoming FREE seminar in Sydney is set to unpack how we can fix wrongs with rights.

The Australian Human Rights Commission and Anti-Discrimination NSW have joined forces to present The Answer Is Human Rights seminar on Wednesday 17 June, 5pm – 7pm at the Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church St, Parramatta, Sydney.

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, the seminar will focus on how human rights can help us address these and other challenging issues.

Featuring a panel of leading local and national human rights advocates, it’s a not-to-be missed event for anyone who cares about keeping our democracy healthy and strong as well as ensuring Australia and NSW are just, equal and inclusive places where everyone can feel safe and have opportunities to thrive.

REGISTER NOW: https://events.humanitix.com/the-answer-is-human-rights-sydney-seminar

Sydney seminar speakers (pictured), listed clockwise from top left:
• AHRC Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess
• Justice and Equity Centre CEO Jonathon Hunyor
• Anti-Discrimination NSW Executive Manager Mia Zahra
• Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) acting CEO Sharif Deen
• AHRC Chief Executive Leanne Smith

26/05/2026

Thank you to the wonderful NurtureNextGen, UTS: University of Technology Sydney research team (Doctor Erin Turbitt, Doctor Julia Dray and Yufeng Wu) for facilitating an insightful research session focused on shaping a digital tool to support families as they learn about their child's genetic diagnosis. MDAA was proud to be part of this research in hosting the team.

Participants in attendance shared that the session provided a supportive and welcoming environment that encouraged meaningful discussions and valuable contributions.

If you would like to be involved in this research or would like to learn more, visit: https://nurturenextgen.research.uts.edu.au/

26/05/2026

Last week, our Senior Disability Advocates, Natalie and Saf, represented MDAA at the Coffs Harbour Refugee Education Network meeting, strengthening connections and engaging with communities across the Mid North Coast.

As part of the visit, they met with Pat Conaghan MP (Federal Member for Cowper), Gurmesh Singh MP (Member for Coffs Harbour), and Nikki Williams (Mayor of the City of Coffs Harbour), to discuss opportunities to improve support and inclusion for people with disability across the region.

A key focus of the trip was deepening relationships with Aboriginal service providers, including Bawrunga Aboriginal Medical Service in Nambucca Heads, Galambila Aboriginal Health Service in Coffs Harbour, and Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre in Taree.

Natalie and Saf also connected with local organisations and health services across the region, including Key Community Group and Woopi Medical Centre in Woolgoolga, Kirinari Community Services in Port Macquarie, and Sentinel Community Services, Horizon Skin Cancer & Medical Centre, and Manning Support Services in Taree.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated organisations, community leaders, and service providers across Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads, Woolgoolga, Port Macquarie, and Taree, and to continue strengthening local networks that support people with disability across regional NSW.

21/05/2026

Earlier this month, our staff attended the FECCA Media Literacy Program. Thank you to Women of Colour Australia and Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia - FECCA for bringing together a wonderful group of community leaders, advocates and changemakers to talk about how our communities consume the news, how our communities are represented in the media, naming the harms and action steps to move forward.

We look forward to sharing the information with our community, and to empower them with the media literacy toolkit.

21/05/2026

We were happy to attend the lively Griffith Multicultural Festival last weekend! It was a great tournament out with almost 2000 people in attendance. We met with community members and promoted our disability advocacy services.

19/05/2026

Thank you Pat for the opportunity to connect and for the kind words.

MDAA is proud to support people with disability across the Coffs Coast and broader NSW, including individuals from multicultural and diverse communities. We look forward to continuing to work together with local stakeholders to improve access and outcomes for people with disability and their families.

MOBILE OFFICE HIGHLIGHT: SAWTELL
Great to be at the Sawtell Bowling & Recreation Club this afternoon for one of my regular mobile office stops around the electorate.

As always, there were a number of issues and ideas raised by members of our community, but today I wanted to give a special shout out to Saf & Natalie, who are both Senior Disability Advocates from Multicultural Disability Advocacy Australia.

Saf & Natalie are part of a team that works not only to advocate on behalf of individuals living with a disability, but also in assisting their families and care-givers to navigate the supports available to them. It was great to hear their experiences with clients from around the Coffs Coast and the challenges they have identified for our local CALD communities.

Every chat helps to paint a picture of what our community needs to grow and thrive.

A sincere 'thank you' to everyone who came to see me today.

17/05/2026

🤩Join us for the panel discussion: National Dialogue on Supported Decision-Making and Disability Rights at the MDAA National Voices, Choices and Futures Conference 2026! Only two days to go!
This important conversation will bring together professionals, advocates, and leaders from across the disability sector to explore supported decision-making, human rights, inclusion, and the future of disability policy and practice in Australia.
Be part of the discussion shaping more inclusive and empowering systems for people with disability.
📍Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/mdaa-voices-choices-and-futures-national-conference-2026/tickets
Ageing and Disability Commission NSW Department of Communities and JusticeAustralian Government Department of Social Services