This program aims to provide self advocacy support to people with a disability from CALD backgrounds to speak for themselves and achieve full potential as citizens of the community. The program assists participants with acquiring the necessary skills for self-advocacy outcomes. Enhancing consumer representation at local, regional and national forums is also an important aim. Another aim of the program is to connect CALD communities and service providers to assist in creating attitudinal changes. The program also engages with policymakers in the multicultural and disability sector in relation to policy development in this area.
The MRC NW was established in 1989 in St Albans. It began as a shop front in Alfrieda St and moved to its current site in Main Rd West in 2002. It was originally established to work with new arrivals to the Cities of Brimbank and Melton but has expanded to the Western Metropolitan Region particularly for Aged and Disability programs, and to the City of Hume for settlement. The centre provides support, information, advice, advocacy and referral for individuals and groups. This includes Casework and referral, immigration advice, advocacy, support groups, social support programs, community capacity building work with groups and a range of short and long term community projects. The branch office was established in 2003 to provide support to the culturally diverse communities in the City of Hume. The centre is staffed by a committed team of workers who provide support to new arrivals in relation to their settlement in Australia, This includes Casework and referral, immigration advice and assistance, community capacity building work with groups and a range of short and long term community projects.