From the Executive Officer of Deafblind Australia DBA, David Murray

Dear Members,

DBA is still working with Government to address the “funding issues” that support our important work we do in providing systemic advocacy supports. We had a reduction of 70 percent of staff and 68 percent reduction of funding compared to last financial year.

I understand lots of organisations are in a similar position of having reduced funding. DBA is no longer able to deliver workshops and do national project work. It was sad to see all my experienced team members ending their contracts, special thanks to Elisa Lydiard, Janet Chalhoub, Sandra Niklaus, Steve Hardy, Paola Avila, Jael McCoskey and Vanessa Vlajkovic for their efforts working on DBA projects.

I do acknowledge many Deafblind people, our supporters and participants are disheartened by the impacts of funding where Deafblind people and friends have no place to go to remain connected socially, learn new life skills and work with DBA.

It concerns many of us and DBA is committed to take stand on streamlining our work and continue as the one only Australia’s peak advocacy representative organisation for the Deafblind Community. I wanted to thank Ross Joyce from AFDO – Australian Federation Of Disability Organisations and our partners for their ongoing support with lobbying the government and continue meeting with the Ministers.

I also want to thank the DBA board and my small team with their ongoing faith in my decision making as I continue to lead DBA work during this difficult time and take on new opportunities for future success.

Coming into the new financial year, here are the current work with DBA:

– Systemic Advocacy and Policy – focusing on National Disability Insurance Scheme participating and engagement with NDIS including the Workforce group and co-design.

– Department of Social Security – public consultation particularly around NDIS reforms, Disability Royal Commission recommendation and other systemic reform and priority areas.

– National Information projects – Developing Deafblind resources to share with our members, our stakeholders and across the disability sector.

– DBA operations and Governance – focusing on strengthening DBA systems and processes, development of the Strategic plan 2024-2027 and build capacity of the Board of 7 members to work successfully with the Executive Officer to continue the new future direction of DBA work.

I will keep you all updated in the coming weeks.

Please feel free to reach out to Deafblind Australia on info@deafblindaustralia.org.au

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