On Thursday 7^th of December, the Office of the Public Advocate’s reception and Advice Service was officially awarded with the Communication Access Symbol.

Acting Public Advocate John Chesterman was presented with OPA’s Communication Access Certificates for its reception and Advice Service, by Brandon Tomlin, Scope’s Communication Access Assessor, and Katie Lyon, Manager Communication Services. This presentation was held as part of OPA’s International Day for People with Disability 2017 special event.

 

The Office of the Public Advocate provides services to protect and promote the rights of people with disability living in Victoria.

OPA’s services include:

• Reception
• Advice Service
• Advocacy Services (including guardianship, VCAT investigations, and advocacy)
• Community Education
• Publications, forms and submissions
• Volunteer Programs (including Independent Third Persons, Community Guardians and Community Visitors).

 

To date, the Office of the Public Advocate has worked to accredit its reception and Advice Service, by completing the following:

• A baseline survey, to determine current levels of knowledge and skills of staff towards people with communication difficulties.
• Creating a ‘Office of the Public Advocate Communication Book’ to support conversations between staff and community members with communication difficulties.

• Developing the Easy English brochure ‘How we protect people with disability from abuse and neglect’

• Training of all staff at reception and in the Advice Service.
• Communication access assessments at reception and Advice Service.

 

Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre wishes to commend the Office of the Public Advocate on its Communication Access Symbol award at reception and Advice Service.

If you would like to find out more information on communication access, or how your business may get accredited, contact Scope’s CIRC at circ@scopeaust.org.au or 03 9843 2000.