USEFUL INFORMATION
Browse our following helpful resources
Peak Disability Bodies and Advocacy Groups
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Phone: 1800 219 969
Australian Network on Disability
Phone: 02 8270 9200
Austism Awareness Australia
Phone: 1300 900 681
Disability Advocacy Network Australia
Phone: 0439 399 755
Disabled Peoples Organisations Australia
Phone: 1800 422 015
Inclusion Australia (Victorian agency: VALID)
Phone:9416 4003
National Disability Services
Phone: 02 6283 3200
National Ethnic Disability Alliance
Phone: 02 6262 6867
People with Disability Australia
Phone: 02 9370 3100
Women with Disabilities Australia
Phone: 0438 535 123
Melbourne East Disability Advocacy
Phone: 9877 7990
STAR Victoria
Phone: 03 9650 2730
Office of the Public Advocate
Phone: 1300 309 337
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
Phone: 1800 517 199
OC Connections’ statement on the Royal Commission
EVENTS AND SEMINARS
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Upcoming Events
Educational and informative events that you can register for now:
Belonging Matters Focus on Community Pathways group sessions has been created to provide space and mentoring for families (or unpaid advocates) who hold a vision with their son or daughter with intellectual disability and/or Autism to live a full, meaningful and inclusive life in the community. Event details here. New dates to be announced.
Having a Say Conference. Event details here. New dates to be announced.
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Talks That Matter
A learning and teaching resource for people with a disability and those that support and work with them. An initiative of Belonging Matters , this site offers free and paid videos around the issues that affect people with disability.
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Belonging Matters
Belonging Matters holds seminars, workshops, a bi annual retreat for families and various leadership events to inspire, inform and build the capacity of people with a disability
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NDIS Events
You can see any upcoming events for the NDIS
Have your say on developing a framework for Support for Decision Making. Choose a session here
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The Growing Space
You can see any upcoming training and presentations here
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OC FAMILY FOCUS FORUM
While the Government has set vaccination targets and roadmaps for the way out of lockdown to ensure our community is protected against COVID, we recognise many Victorians are still unsure about becoming vaccinated and require further clarification on the vaccines available, their side effects and benefits.
To continue our commitment to help our community make an informed decision about becoming vaccinated, OC Connections held an online Family Focus Forum to present COVID Vaccine insights. You can view the recording here.

USEFUL WEBSITES

The Australian Government’s Disability Gateway has information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.
- Belonging Matters
- NDIS
- The Growing Space
- Every Australian Counts
- Carers Australia
- Office Of The Public Advocate
- Housing Hub
- OC Connections COVID-19 Update page for the latest announcements
- OC Connections Royal Commission Resources page
- Autism: What Next? An Autism Awareness Australia (AAA) project
- The A-list A site where young autistic people can search for autism friendly activities and connect with like-minded people with similar interests.
tools
NDIS Budget Tool – Find it here
accessibility resources
New Accessible Parking Scheme
A new Accessible Parking Permit scheme has been introduced across Victoria. Main changes for drivers with disabilities or injuries are:
* You’ll need to start the application or renewal process online before you visit the doctor
* Accessible parking permits will be extended from three to five years
* People with permanent disabilities will no longer need to be re-assessed in the future.
Check your eligibility and apply here
Information Access Group – View resources here
Vision Australia – view resources here

ARTICLES, BOOKS AND VIDEOS
Useful Youtube Channels
OC Connections YouTube Channel
Subscribe To Our YouTube channel for updates and important information here
Talks That Matter YouTube channel
Carers Victoria YouTube channel
OC CONNECTIONS brochures
Download our brochures below:
School Leavers Employment Support pathway “Towards Employment”
useful podcasts

The Belonging Matters Podcast focuses on the good life on the good life for people with disabilities, with real life stories from people with disabilities and their families, as well as professionals and advocates.

OC Connections does not endorse the external websites mentioned on this page and provides them for your information and reference only.