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Skilling Up to Shape the FutureMembers of the Gippsland Linking Local Action Network, a network of community members of Gippsland Local Government Disability Advisory Committees, gathered in Traralgon recently to participate in a three-day training course. By Latrobe Shire Council - 7th December 2004 - Back to News Latrobe City’s Rural Access Project Officer Bill Lawler said that the training, delivered by the Chisholm Institute of TAFE, was designed to enable people with a disability to gain the skills and confidence to actively participate on a broad range of committees and reference groups at local, regional and state levels.
"Members of the Gippsland Linking Local Action Network took part in a training needs analysis to identify the skills required to be an effective member of a wide range of committees. The results of this analysis shaped the content of the course.
"The members who participated in the course will now assist the TAFE in making any necessary modifications to its content before the training is rolled out in all six municipalities in Gippsland early next year," Mr Lawler said.
"With approximately 100 people expected to complete the training by March 2005, more people with a disability will have the confidence to join Committees of Management, Advisory and Steering Committees and Reference Groups. This will lead to a higher profile for people with a disability in a larger number of organisations and projects across Gippsland," Mr Lawler explained.
"If people with a disability are not members of committees it is possible that their needs could be overlooked. This training is designed to encourage people with a disability to join committees to ensure that their needs are discussed and included," Mr Lawler added.
"We hope that the ‘Skilling Up to Shape the Future’ project will help to build a more inclusive community in Gippsland," Mr Lawler concluded.
The training presented in Traralgon last week was also consistent with the 2004 International Day of People with a disability theme of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ which encourages the active involvement of people with disabilities in the planning of strategies and policies that affect their lives.
For further information about the project, or to lodge an Expression of Interest in participating in the training, please contact Latrobe City on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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