Developing a Disability Lived Experience Reference Group

  • Project statusEOI applications now being reviewed
  • Last updatedDecember 2022
A group of hands placed together in a teamwork motion; wheelchair in background

If you are reading this or someone is reading this to you, it is likely that you have an interest in issues that impact people with disabilities.

You may have a lived experience with disability, you might be a carer or an ally, you may be all three – and if you are, we’re hoping you might like to join the Borough of Queenscliffe’s Disability Lived Experience Reference Group.

If you do, we are starting an expression of interest process so we can find the people in our community who can help Council better understand the issues that affect people with disability and then do something about addressing those issues.  

Getting started

We have some questions further down the page that you can use to prepare your expression of interest. However, forms may not be your thing, so we are happy to receive applications in any arrangement. For instance, you may feel more comfortable using a video to tell us about yourself, or you may like to have someone with you when filling out a form. Let us know how you want to share your information and we can work out the best way for you to tell us about yourself.

At this point, you may be asking yourself what the Borough of Queenscliffe Disability Lived Experience Reference Group is. There is some information about the group in the sidebar of this page. You don’t have to read that information to apply, but the short answer is:

A group of people who represent diversity in our community, understand disability through experience, and can advise and guide Council as we update our Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

We expect you will help us refine this.

If you want to talk to someone about the group, have questions or would like some support preparing your expression of interest, please contact Borough CEO Martin Gill using the contact details in the sidebar. If you feel comfortable using a form and want to submit an expression of interest, please complete the form below.

Nyatne baa Gobata
(Thank you and take care)

Expression of interest form

Contact details

Martin Gill
(03) 5258 1377
info@queenscliffe.vic.gov.au

General information

About the Reference Group:

In May 2022, a local disability advocate approached Council with a written proposal asking the Borough to increase its engagement with this community to ensure greater access, inclusion and participation of people with a disability.

 

In July 2022, a local group of disability advocates and residents spoke with Council and identified that the contribution of lived experience is essential to ensuring not just adequate access, but true inclusion. It sought to ensure that disability rights were embedded into the core business of Council.

 

At the August 2022 Ordinary Meeting, the Borough of Queenscliffe made a decision to establish a Disability Lived Experience Reference Group.

 

How the Reference Group will function:
The purpose of the Reference Group is to ensure people with a lived experience of disability have a say on issues that impact their lives. The Reference Group will guide Council decision-making by reviewing key documents, providing advice on major projects and helping Council connect with local communities.

 

Council will partner with and support the Reference Group. The group will establish its own terms of reference and code of conduct. It will determine how often to meet and how meetings will be run.

EOI process

Applications:

Expression of interests can be submitted to Council at any time, but an initial selection for the reference group will take place in January. If you want to be involved from the start, you should submit your application by Monday 19 December 2022.

 

If applicants are unable to complete an online or on paper form, they can book an appointment with a person with lived experience of disability who will call the applicant and record their confidential responses in written notes. Please use the contact details at the top of the sidebar to arrange this.

 

Application outcome:
Once you submit your interest, you may be offered an interview.

 

Application outreach:
Council is actively seeking priority applications from disabled members of under-represented groups, including but not limited to: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, young people, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people connected with religious communities.

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