By Karen Poh
THE rights of the people may be enshrined in a charter but SCOPE St Albans will be taking it one step further, turning legalese into pictures and every day language.
The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities came into full effect in Victoria on 1 January this year and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has been keen to get the word out.
Funds have been granted to six community organisations to teach human rights and to promote awareness of the charter. The charter is an agreed set of democratic rights and freedoms protected by law that ensures all members of the community are treated fairly.
Under the charter, state and local government are now compelled to take human rights into account when developing policies and legislation.
SCOPE, a not-for-profit organisation providing disability services to children and adults throughout Victoria, will be using the $5000 grant to embark on a Picture my Rights project, which involves the production of a DVD and information kit for use by disability support workers.
The DVD will include interviews with high profile people with disabilities and the information kit will be supplemented by aids like audio tape, Easy English and pictorial posters that “show” people’s rights. Not enough people are aware of the new Charter, Commission chief executive Dr Helen Szoke said.
The commission received 65 applications for funding.
“We have awarded these grants to outstanding applicants so that they can pass on knowledge and awareness of human rights to their communities,” she said.
