Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

Applications for funding open for disability conferences

The Howard Government will provide $265,000 in funding for national and international conferences focusing on disability to be held within Australia.

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today called for organisations to apply in the latest round of funding under the National Disability Conference Funding Program.

“Each year funding is made available to assist people with disabilities, their families and carers to attend national and international conferences in Australia,” Senator Patterson said.

“The funding is also an ideal way of promoting the abilities and achievements of people with disabilities in communities throughout Australia and abroad.”

These funds may be provided to conference organisers to:

  • assist people with disabilities, their families and/or carers with costs such as conference fees, accommodation or travel; and
  • facilitate access to appropriate conferences for people with disabilities, their families and/or carers by, for example, providing funding for interpreters for people who are deaf or hearing impaired; providing material in alternative formats; and/or by providing note-takers.

Eligibility is restricted to one conference per organisation, which must be held in Australia between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2006.

“Up to 10 per cent of the conference budget, to a maximum of $10,000, may be provided towards the costs of holding a national conference, and up to 10 per cent of the conference budget, to a maximum of $20,000, may be provided towards the costs of holding an international conference.

“Conference organisers interested in applying for conference funding under this program, are required to read the guidelines and submit an application form,” Senator Patterson said.

Further information is available from the Office of Disability on (02) 6244 1405 or free call 1300 653 227, TTY 1800 672 682 or by visiting the Department of Family and Community Services website at www.facs.gov.au/disability. Applications close 26 April 2005.