Almost $2 million in new funding has been provided to Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) to support young people with disability to become the leaders of the future.
Minister Stuart Robert today announced three years of funding for Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), the national representative organisation for children and young people with disability.
Young people with disability are the experts in what needs to happen so they have a great educational experience, secure meaningful work and live independently in the community.
This funding will enable CYDA to:
Hold annual National Summits to bring young people with disability together from across Australia to advocate for what government and policy makers need to change so they can live great lives
Create a prestigious annual National Young Leaders Program to enable young people to learn new skills & have experiences preparing them to be spokespeople at a national & international stage
Form a national youth advisory committee, employ young people with disability and provide peer support and networking through the development of a national youth hub on our website.
“It is crucially important that young people with disability can be involved in their national representative organisation and be supported to develop leadership and self-advocacy skills. The CYDA Board looks forward to young people who have been involved in these programs participating in the governance of the organisation in the future” says Jocelyn Neumueller, CYDA Board Director and young person with disability.
“We welcome this investment from the government, along with another $1 million over three years for CYDA to work with the Youth Disability Advocacy Service for a Victorian Emerging Leadership Program which will work hand in hand with the national program”, says Mary Sayers, Chief Executive Officer
“For too long, young people with disability have been locked out of national consultation and policy development processes and have not had their voice heard. While we have a Disability Royal Commission which will hear of the violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and young people with disability, this funding is all about empowerment, skill development in self-advocacy and leadership which is essential to ensure young people can live the lives they want to lead,” says Ms Sayers.
Funding will be provided from the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s ILC Individual Capacity Building (ICB) grants program.
For interviews with either Jocelyn Neumueller, CYDA Board Director or Mary Sayers, CYDA CEO contact: Mary Sayers [email protected] or 0407 126 351
