The SS Cooinda - It's Not a Cruise Ship

By Mike Jarrett OAM

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Mike Jarrett

My involvement with Cooinda Family Support Group spanned a decade when major changes came about for people with disabilities and their families. It was a decade when probably the most significant change occurred; the closure of institutions. It was a decade when people with disabilities said, "we want the same rights as other members of the community and we want the supports to enjoy those rights". And it was the decade when laws such as the Disability Discrimination Act were enacted to enshrine those rights in legislation. It is important to record the relationship between Disabled Persons Regional Council and Cooinda Family Support Group to understand my involvement with Cooinda. Disabled Persons Regional Council (DPRC) established the very clear aim of advocating for the rights of people with disabilities when the steering committee formed in 1988. The vision for the organisation was driven by people with disabilities from small country towns across north east Victoria with strong support from Community Services Victoria, Wodonga Council, and others. On the other hand, Cooinda Family Support Group's aim was to provide support to carers with family members with a disability. As you can see, the aims of both organisations are complementary and not mutually exclusive.

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Contact: Cooinda Family Support Group