Disabled trained up for opportunity

By Tania Martin
HILLS residents living with disabilities will now have more opportunities to give back to their communities, following a State Government cash boost.
This comes as Melba Support Services received a $50,000 grant under the Changing the Days Initiative.
The program provides activities to give people with a disability more choice and control over their lives.
Monbulk MP James Merlino said the funding would provide people with a disability the opportunity to participate in a wider range of activities that met their individual needs and enhanced their independence and participation in their communities.
“We understand Victorians are concerned about the welfare of our most vulnerable, that’s why we are creating new and more inclusive opportunities,” he said.
Melba Support Services CEO Jim Burns said the initiative was a great step towards helping people to become more independent.
He said the cash would help support Melba members to undertake valued roles within the community.
Mr Burns said an example of this was people taking up volunteering or undertaking training towards getting a job.
“Some may do training with a hairdresser or want to get involved in the local radio station,” he said.
“We had one member who wanted to do something with health and fitness and was about to volunteer with the local YMCA.”
Mr Burns said this program demonstrated that even if a person had a fairly significant disability, they could still contribute to the community.
He said the funding was a great help in setting up these placements.
“We can now do individual support packages,” Mr Burns said.
He said Melba’s members loved the program, as it was allowing them the opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
“We have someone who really likes trains and is now volunteering with Puffing Billy…as well as doing something they love, they are developing social networks and being seen as someone who can contribute,” Mr Burns said.