By Helen Robb

MELBOURNE: In two weeks Westcod ( Western Region Committee of Disabled persons) will be shut down. This will result in a saving to the government of $175,000 per annum - not an enormous saving considering the cost that will be incurred by the disabled community of the west.

Westcod (Western Committee of Disabled Persons ) has been an established community based organisation with premises in Footscray for over 20 years , it successfully offered a range of services to persons with a disability in the West. The service can assist people with housing and accommodation, discrimination issues, advocacy, support and referral etc. It is a vital link for people who find themselves isolated or unsure of their rights and it also offers its members the use of all the office equipment including scanners, computers, and TTY telephone(a device that enables deaf persons to use a telephone).

Back in the 1980s the Labor Party attempted to de-institutionalise Victoria's large care facilities, assisting people with intellectual and physical disabilities to live in supported accommodation. During this transition, advocacy organisations became a point of contact for people living either independently or supported in residential facilities. Now the State Liberal government will close this statewide network of advocacy services without any public consultation. The government has replaced this service for a internet disability directory which is great if you can use a computer or have access to the net but too bad if your only access to a computer was at Westcod.

The internet directory is also supported by church/ charity groups which have traditionally been involved with the running of institutions and in some cases have provided oppressive services to individuals with disabilities. The Government appears to be contracting the welfare dollars back to the church and traditional charity models. The only funded advocacy available will be run by church/ charity based organisations, which, although well meaning, come with their own moral values of what advocacy should be. Social justice as seen by the conservative charity/ church groups not as seen by the people on the ground.

Westcod ran their service for $175.000 and employed four part-timers and one full-timer, and serviced and advised over 1500 people during the year; a small amount of funding in terms of the money pooled into the community support fund. All this along with a volunteer committee of management and network of regular volunteers will be lost .

The campaign in full swing

Campaigning at Westcod has been in full swing for the last few months and some interesting and creative demonstrations have had mixed coverage. Two naked women in wheelchairs gatecrashed Dr Denis Napthine (Minister of Community Services ) who was speaking at the launch of the disability residents directory at Brimbank City Council. The two women and others held a banner protesting against the institutionalisation of people with an intellectual disability. The banner suggested that Napthine's policies were 'stripping the disabled of their dignity'.

Wheelchair roulette was a big hit outside of the Casino, along with a wheelchair Grand Prix around the coat of arms in Treasury Gardens. Westcod along with other advocacy groups will stand candidates in marginal Liberal seats in the next elections. A demonstration at parliament house attracted over 100 people, which is a huge effort for people who have a chronic illness. Over the course of the campaign they have gathered 11,500 signatures, which John Brumby and John Thwaites will table in the next sitting of parliament.

We would like to thank Craig Goesch and the volunteers for explaining their struggle.

For enquires /support please contact Westcod on 9689-3044