Multicultural Disability Advocacy Australia

25/08/2026

Research Participants Wanted | Master's Thesis Study

*Are you a parent or caregiver from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background? Would you be willing to share your child's experiences of school belonging and support?

Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) are looking for parents or caregivers to participate in a Master's thesis research study exploring children's sense of school belonging. This study aims to understand how parents and caregivers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds perceive their children's experiences of being accepted, supported, respected, and included in Australian primary schools.

To participate, you must:
• Have a child with an intellectual disability currently enrolled in primary school in Australia
• V Parents or caregivers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background
• Able to participate in an interview in either English or Mandarin
• Aged 18 years or older

What's involved?

A one-off online or telephone interview of approximately 45-60 minutes. Optional Photovoice, is also available.

Participants will receive an AUD $50 Coles eGift Card in recognition of their time and
contribution.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact
Dr Joanne Danker: [email protected]
+61 2 9065 1928
Ruoyun Jiao (Student): [email protected]

HREC Approval Number: iRECS11552
Participant group: CALD parents/caregivers

21/08/2026

We were honoured to meet with the Hon. Aileen MacDonald MLC , Member of the NSW Legislative Council, Opposition Leader’s Representative for the Not-for-Profit Sector, and Chair of the Select Committee on Youth Justice, together with Viv from her office who visited MDAA today.

It was a valuable opportunity to discuss MDAA’s 2027 NSW State Election Priorities, with a particular focus on the importance of cultural safety for people with disability from multicultural backgrounds.

MDAA is calling for many key actions including:
🔹 Strengthening and expanding independent advocacy
🔹 Investing in early intervention and prevention
🔹 Embedding culturally safe and intersectional service delivery across NSW

We thank the Hon. Aileen MacDonald MLC for her time and genuine care in engaging with us on these important issues. We look forward to continuing to work together.

17/08/2026

🌿 Free Community Tai Chi

We're pleased to share this free community wellbeing event from Fairfield City Council as part of Multicultural Health Week 2026.

Enjoy gentle movement, connect with others, and support your health and wellbeing at this free outdoor Tai Chi session in Canley Vale. The event celebrates the theme of improving mental health through physical activity and offers a welcoming opportunity to nurture both body and mind while connecting with the local community.

Participants can enjoy:
• A free outdoor Tai Chi session.
• Gentle movement that supports mental health and overall wellbeing.
• An opportunity to connect with others in the community.
• A welcoming environment suitable for all fitness levels.
• A healthy and enjoyable way to stay active.

📅 Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
⏰ Arrival Time: 7:40am
🧘 Session Time: 8:00am to 9:00am
📍 Location: Adams Park, Canley Vale, NSW

🔗 Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-community-tai-chi-tickets-1997423601762

📞 For more information: 9725 0222
📧 Email: [email protected]

Please share with anyone in your networks who may be interested.

Fairfield City Council

Enjoy gentle movement, connect with others, and support your health and wellbeing.

14/08/2026

✍️ Opportunity for Writers with Disability and D/deaf Writers

We're pleased to share this opportunity from Varuna, the National Writers' House.

Applications are now open for the 2027 Writer's Space Residential Fellowships for writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf, at any stage of their writing career and living anywhere in Australia.

Successful applicants will receive:
• A two-week residency at Varuna between January and July 2027.
• A private writing studio and dedicated time to focus on their writing project.
• All meals provided during the residency.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses between their home and Varuna.
• Two one-on-one mentoring sessions with an experienced Varuna writing consultant.

Eight fellowships are available, including two reserved places for First Nations writers.

📅 Applications close: Midnight AEST, 8 September 2026
🔗 For more information and to apply: https://www.varuna.com.au/for-writers/twsfellowships-residential

Please share with anyone in your networks who may be interested.

Applications close 8 September 2026 Eight two-week residential fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf.

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

Thank you to Julia Finn MP for visiting MDAA's Granville office today and taking the time to meet with our team.

It was a great opportunity to discuss the important work MDAA does in supporting and advocating for people with disability across her electorate, particularly those from multicultural and linguistically diverse communities.

We had a valuable discussion about the challenges currently facing NDIS participants and their families, ongoing NDIS reforms and their impact on people with disability, and key issues affecting our community, including access to housing, supports, and services. We also spoke about the importance of culturally safe and inclusive services that recognise and respond to the diverse needs, experiences, and backgrounds of people with disability.

We explored opportunities for collaboration to ensure the voices and lived experiences of people with disability continue to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making.

Thank you, Julia, for listening, engaging, and supporting conversations that help build a more inclusive, accessible, culturally safe, and equitable community for all.

11/08/2026

MDAA was proud to be invited as a guest speaker at the Western Sydney MRC's Liverpool Refugee & Migrant Interagency, where we had the opportunity to share insights into the latest developments across the disability sector and discuss what these changes mean for people with disability, particularly within migrant and refugee communities.

It was wonderful to see so many organisations and community services coming together with a shared commitment to collaboration, connection and creating better outcomes for our communities.

A very special thank you to Pilar Lopez for the opportunity to speak, connect and be part of such an important network. Your leadership and commitment to bringing organisations together is truly valued.

Thank you also to everyone who attended and contributed to such a meaningful discussion. MDAA looks forward to continuing to build strong partnerships across Western Sydney and working together towards a more inclusive and accessible community.

11/08/2026

MDAA staff were honoured to visit Mark Coure MP, State Member for Oatley and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, to discuss MDAA’s State Election Priorities for 2027.

We always appreciate Mark’s warm welcome, genuine interest and ongoing support for our community. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share the issues that matter most to people with disability, their families and carers, and to discuss how we can continue working together towards a more inclusive and accessible NSW.

We thank Mark for taking the time to meet with us and for his continued advocacy and support.

We look forward to continuing this important conversation and working together to ensure the voices and needs of people with disability remain firmly on the agenda.

10/08/2026

📢 Census Night is Tomorrow

A reminder to complete your Census tomorrow night and ensure everyone in your household is counted.

The Census provides important information that helps governments, businesses and community organisations plan services, infrastructure and support for communities across Australia.

Complete your Census here: https://start.census.abs.gov.au/

Need information in another language? Access translated Census information and language support here: https://info.census.abs.gov.au/language-support

Every person counts. Make sure you're counted this Census Night.