SUPPORT FOR DISABILITY SELF-HELP GROUPS
More Victorians with a disability will get the peer support they need thanks to the Allan Labor Government’s Disability Self-Help Grants Program.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that the Macedon Ranges Autism Network and PS My Family Matters are two of 72 groups set to receive a grant as part of the latest Disability Self-help grants funding round.
The grants, valued up to $14,000 over two years, strengthen social, emotional and practical support provided to people with disability and their families or carers.
The grants help disability support groups meet general expenses, fund minor works and purchase equipment, and for the first time, they can be used to support activities that celebrate pride and recognition, or pay for guest speakers.
Self-help groups bring people with disability and their families together to share insights, provide information, promote community participation and support networking.
Applications for the grants round were open to Victorian-based disability self-help groups, with a focus in this round of funding on groups supporting First Nations people, young people, women and girls, people from multiculturally diverse backgrounds, autistic and neurodiverse people and people who identify as LGBQITA+, as well as those providing support to regional and rural members. Applications closed in December 2023.
Further information about the grants can be found at providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/disability-self-help-grants-program
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
“This investment will support our local members of PS My Family Matters and the Macedon Ranges Autism Network to share their experiences and support each other.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn
“This investment will support disability self-help groups, where people can share their experiences and offer each other support and information.”
“This is just one way we are making sure people with disability can participate in all aspects of our community - helping to build an inclusive Victoria.”
