“Support for migrant/refugee youth with disability is a Venn diagram. Some characteristics of both aspects are not supported enough...There is a need for more targeted and tailored supports.” -National Disability Meeting (image is my own) @MYANAustralia @NEDA_PeakBody

Thank you so much to @MYANAustralia and @NEDA_PeakBody for organising this very insightful, and much-needed event! Going to be tweeting a lot more from this meeting on this thread!

“We need to acknowledge that family experiences of raising a child with disability are completely new. We need more support, patience (and inclusion) for parents.”

On the NDIS: “There is an emphasis on the individual rather than the community. A lot of support (and knowledge) for CALD young people comes from the community.”

On the NDIS: Direct support coordination is needed and wanted by CALD young people from the beginning especially since they are advocating for themselves. Importance must be given to knowing where to look for support and navigating through all the services offered.

Good insight from @WWDA_AU: Having a disability can change the cultural perception of gender roles, leading to “conflicting ideas with what you should be as a woman”.

Young people who are carers of family members with disability are reluctant to seek support as they see this as a natural familial duty (particularly eldest children). “There needs to be a space for young carers to seek support and there needs to be more targeted resources.”

CALD Young People with disabilities know themselves and their support needs best. We need to foster positive relationships, build trust and better support avenues in order to more effectively engage with them, their families and communities.