Deafblind West Australians (DBWA) has secured a funding lifeline to keep it going for another year, allowing it time to look for more sustainable funding into the future.
Project coordinator and social worker, Ms Karen Wickham Grey, said the ad hoc Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant was from the Department of Social Services. ILC grants provide funds to organisations to deliver projects in the community that benefit Australians with disability, their carers and families.
DBWA is a support group and drop-in centre – DBWA Connect – which are peer-led and run by people who are deafblind. They deliver activities to address complex and unique needs of people with dual sensory loss including providing social connection and a real community.
“The grant will give our organisation 12 months to source alternative funding so we can continue to provide this unique and invaluable service, which is run by and for deafblind people,” Wickham Grey said.
“This funding marks the beginning of exciting times for growth and development for our members along with a much longer campaign to ensure that there will be future long-term sustainability for all Deafblind West Australians.”
Wickham Grey said the group had about 80 active members, the majority from the metropolitan area but also in the lower south-west, and it was keen to expand membership nationwide.
“DBWA is the only organisation in Western Australia that provides this form of support for people living with dual sensory loss,” she said. “We will build on future funding applications to include a young leaders program, outreach and rural and remote programs, building our membership to encompass the next generation and all people with dual sensory loss, plus training and workshops to build deafblind awareness across communities.”
She said communication barriers and challenges were common to people with deafblindness. They often experienced challenges connecting with other marginalised groups they identified with so connecting with peers who understood these challenges could support the important need for access, connection and belonging.
Membership comprises deafblind, people with single and dual sensory losses, families, carers, professionals, volunteers, friends and community representatives.
The organisation has facilitated access, engagement, capacity building and participation in community for peers, families, carers, allied health professionals, students, interpreters, volunteers, providers and the broader community while promoting social, community and economic participation and building a strong,
visible community.
“We have grown from a volunteer organisation of minimal capacity to an incorporated organisation, registered as a charity and have successfully run several funded unique projects and programs,” Wickham Grey added.
She thanked those who had helped secure the funds including Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mr Bill Shorten and other advocates Ms Hannah McPierzie, Ms Rita Kleinfeld Fowell, the DBWA Board and members of the deafblind community.
“We have also had great support from WA Minister for Disability Services Mr Don Punch,” she said.
The organisation was previously called Usher Syndrome Support Group Western Australia.
