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ABOUT DISABILITY FIRST STOP (DFS)
DISABILITY FIRST STOP is a project funded by the WA Disability
Services Commission and was set up to assist people with
a disability and their families get the help they need
within the first 18 months of diagnosis.
The Hon Sheila McHale who launched DFS noted that each
year about 8,500 children and adults are diagnosed with
a disability as a result of prenatal events, illness or
accidents in WA. It was emphasized that DFS was established
specifically to meet a need for more concentrated assistance
for people with a disability and their families during
the initial period following diagnosis.
The DFS service aims to reduce confusion about the range
of disability services available for people with a disability
and their families and also assist them locate the help
they need tailored to their special circumstances.
The project recognizes that people with a disability
and their families from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds may have additional difficulties during
the initial and post diagnosis stages. The Ethnic Disability
Advocacy Centre specializes in assisting people with a
disability and their families from culturally and linguistically
diverse (CALD) backgrounds with a range of matters and
is one of five partner agencies involved in the implementation
of DFS
DFS ADVOCATE
Lee Bickford has taken over from Luba McMaugh as the DFS Advocate at EDAC. Lee has had considerable
experience in working with people with a disability and
their families from a CALD background. Enquiries or referrals
can be discussed with Lee by calling her on 9388 7455
or emailing her at: leebickford@edac.org.au
As part of her DFS advocacy role Lee may:
• provide information by phone, email or in person;
• assist CALD consumers or their families with individual
planning
• provide advocacy or supported referrals to appropriate
services
• facilitate access to interpreters or translators
• facilitate referrals to bilingual counselors
• link people with disabilities or their families
to culturally and/or linguistically appropriate support
services where available
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DFS IN OTHER LANGUAGES:
Information about DFS (a Multilingual Brochure) has now
been translated into Arabic,
Amharic, Bahasa Malay, Bosnian,
Chinese, Croatian,
Dari, Farsi,
Serbian, Somali,
Spanish, Tigrinya
and Vietnamese.
| English |
DISABILITY FIRST STOP is a new service set up
to assist people with disabilities and their families
get the help they need in the first 18 months of
diagnosis. It makes no difference if the disability
is the result of illness or an accident.
DISABILITY FIRST STOP can provide:
• Information by phone, email or in person
• Advocacy and supported referrals to appropriate
services
• Assistance with individual planning
• Access to bilingual counselors
• Linking to ethnic or general support groups
or people with similar experiences
• Web based information on disability resources
We can assist you to obtain interpreting
or translation services or you can call the Translating
and Interpreting Services (TIS) on 131 450
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| Arabic |
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| Bosnian |
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| Chinese |
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| Croatian |
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| Farsi |
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| Dari |
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| Bahasa Malay |
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| Vietnamese |
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| Tigrinya |
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| Amharic |
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| Serbian |
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| Somali |
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| Spanish |
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LINK TO PWD ( DFS CO-ORDINATING AGENCY)
For more information on DFS click: www.disabilityfirststop.asn.au
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