VALID

22/04/2026

Have you had your say yet?

We’re already hearing from our community about what matters most.

There’s still time to add your voice - it takes less than a minute.

👉 Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9VCT7DK

👉 Easy English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T6R6FMC

20/04/2026

Having trouble at work? You’re not alone.

VALID’s Employment Advocacy service supports people with intellectual disability to understand their rights, speak up, and get the support they need.

Our advocates work with you - and alongside your support network - to help resolve workplace issues.

📞 Call us: (03) 9416 4003
📧 Email: jobadvocacy@valid.org.au

15/04/2026

We still need to hear from you.

Parents and caregivers - what needs to change in healthcare for people with intellectual disability?

With the Victorian State Election coming up, your experiences will directly shape what VALID takes to government.

Join our online focus group and make sure your voice is part of the conversation.

📅 Monday 27 April
🕚 11:00am - 12:30pm

Real stories lead to real change.

📧 RSVP: madeleine@valid.org.au

15/04/2026

We’re asking our community what issues are most important ahead of the Victorian election.

It takes less than a minute to complete and will help shape VALID’s advocacy.

👉 Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9VCT7DK

👉 Easy English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T6R6FMC

14/04/2026

Sara used to rely on others for support.

Now she attends sessions independently and actively encourages others to speak up.

She’s shared that the program helped her build the confidence to advocate for herself - even while navigating language barriers.

Her story shows how the right environment can support independence, inclusion and self advocacy.

🔗 Learn more about Power Through Knowledge:

A project for people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Power Through Knowledge is a free community project supporting people with disability from multicultural backgrounds to build confidence, understand their rights, and strengthen self advocacy skills. Join Our...

13/04/2026

Following our recent post about changes to NDIS support needs assessments…

There is still limited clear information about what these changes will mean in practice.

We are continuing to hear from people with disability and families who are unsure and concerned.

People should not be left guessing about changes that affect their lives.

When there isn’t clear information:
• trust is undermined
• anxiety increases
• and people are left without answers

This is not how disability policy should work.

People with disability have the right to:
• clear information
• meaningful consultation
• and a say in decisions that affect their lives

13/04/2026

✨ Meet the VALID Board ✨

Next in our series introducing the people who help guide and govern VALID is Georgina Frost.

Georgina joined the VALID Board in 2021 and brings a strong background in law and dispute resolution. She currently works with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, supporting people to resolve complaints with financial institutions.

Her connection to the disability sector comes through her daughter, which led her to become actively involved in advocacy and support organisations. Georgina has spent 10 years on the Board of the Association for Children with Disability, including time as President, and has also been involved with Special Olympics Australia.

She is passionate about strong advocacy, sustainable organisations and ensuring people with disability are meaningfully included in leadership and decision making.

Outside of Board meetings, Georgina enjoys skiing, travelling, keeping active and spending time with family.

Want to learn more about the people behind VALID’s leadership?
👉 https://valid.org.au/about-us/board-management/

10/04/2026

Invitation to a Focus Group on healthcare for people with intellectual disability

Health care for people with intellectual disability needs to be better.
The State government election is this year, so VALID wants to lobby the Victorian Government about improving healthcare.

To do this, we need to hear the changes you think the government should make to healthcare for people with intellectual disability.

We are running a focus group for parents and caregivers on
Monday 27 April at 11am - 12.30pm.

This focus group is online, and you will receive a giftcard as a token of appreciation.

More Information and to RSVP
For more information or to RSVP, please email Madeleine Clarke (madeleine@valid.org.au)

09/04/2026

VALID Conversations

VALID Conversations is a webinar series led by people with disability. Each session explores real issues, lived experience and practical ways to create change.

First session: From lived experience to leadership
Date: Wednesday 7 May
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

This session will explore how people with disability are using their lived experience to influence change, build confidence and take on leadership roles.

Registrations opening soon.
More details will be shared shortly.

👉 https://valid.org.au/valid-conversations/

09/04/2026

Zoe from the VALID Connect team attended the 2026 Post School Options Expo at Bulleen Heights School in Templestowe.

It was a great opportunity to connect with students, families and other services, and have real conversations about life after school.

There was a strong turnout, with a wide range of organisations involved - from education providers to community services - all supporting young people to explore their options.

Events like this matter. They create space for people to ask questions, build confidence and start thinking about what comes next.

Learn more about VALID Connect: https://validconnect.org.au/

07/04/2026

There are changes happening to how support needs will be assessed in the NDIS.

This includes tools like the I-CAN assessment, which is likely to play a role in how decisions about people’s supports are made.

At the moment, there is still not much clear information about:
• how these assessments will work in practice
• how decisions will be made
• what this will mean for people’s supports

We are already hearing from people with disability and families who are unsure what these changes will mean for them.

People with disability, families and advocates are raising concerns.

People are being asked to trust changes that have not been clearly explained.

From what we understand so far, there are real concerns about how these changes may impact people with disability.

At the same time, it is difficult to have a final view without clearer information.

That lack of clarity is itself a serious issue.

It’s important that any changes to the NDIS are:
• clearly explained
• based on people’s actual and individual needs
• developed with meaningful consultation

When there is uncertainty, people often feel anxious about what changes might mean for their future supports.

VALID believes there needs to be more transparency and better communication about these changes, so people can understand what is happening and have a say.

06/04/2026

Celeste and Nell recently delivered SOSU Presentation 3 - Together we can fight abuse and neglect.

Over three weeks, they delivered all three SOSU (Speaking Out, Skilling Up) sessions, supporting participants to build confidence, understand their rights and recognise abuse and neglect.

SOSU sessions are free, interactive and designed for NDIS participants, service providers and staff. They cover:

• how to recognise abuse and neglect
• understanding the National Disability Service Standards
• how to make a complaint

The sessions use Easy Read, real stories and practical information - and we come to you.

This work matters. Abuse and neglect won’t end unless we all do something about it.

Well done Celeste and Nell 👏

To find out more or book a session, contact Rick on (03) 9416 4003 or rick@valid.org.au

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