Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson has officially opened the new offices of advocacy service provider People with Disabilities WA (PWdWA) in West Perth.
“People with Disabilities WA’s services are critical during this rapidly changing national disability system. The new premises are much more accessible by public transport for people with disability, with the added benefit of being closer to other organisations that work closely with PWdWA,” Minister Stephen Dawson said.
PWdWA provides individual advocacy services across the State and is the lead agency in a consortium of providers that also includes Sussex Street Community Law Services and Advocacy WA.
The agency assists people with disability by standing beside them to ensure they are able to speak out, express their views and insist on their rights.
The new premises are located close to accessible trains and CAT buses, with ACROD parking bays and accessible bathroom and shower facilities.
“Towards the end of this year we expect to launch our State Disability Plan, which will underpin all State Government initiatives and both support and empower people with disability over the coming decade,” Dawson said.
The Government has provided $1.5 million in funding to PWdWA through the Department of Communities – Disability Services for 2018-19, including recurrent funding and grants under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program.
Lotterywest funding has assisted with the fit-out and allowed PWdWA to create a vibrant and contemporary feel in a refurbished space.
In June 2019, PWdWA was among a number of funded organisations that received an additional grant of $250,000 from the Government to address growing wait lists.
PWdWA was launched as a disability self-help group in 1981 and has been operating from Oasis Lotteries House in Nedlands for the past 25 years. It now boasts 15 part-time staff.