Rubina Yasmeen is a community worker and committee member with MDAA (Multicultural Diversity Advocacy Association).
She moved to Australia when her son was four years old back in 1995. Her son at the time was diagnosed with cerebral palsy which affected his ability to walk. He had to use a wooden stick for support.
In 1997, Mrs Yasmeen was out on a casual stroll on the streets of Parramatta, Sydney with her young kids when she was approached by Chris Livanos the executive director of MDAA at the time.
After exchanging greetings and explaining why her son was walking with a wooden stick, Ms Livanos invited Mrs Yasmeen to their office and offered her help with advocacy.
However, Mrs Yasmeen told SBS Urdu we normally don’t think like that in the Pakistani culture.
Source: Robina Yasmin
“I thought to myself what are they going to do, I am a mother, I will have to do everything myself,” said Mrs Yasmeen.
“I was not very positive at the time about the offer.”
Mrs Yasmeen and her family were living in a rental property at that time. They used to live in a house with stairs which was not suitable for their son due to the risk of fall and injury.
The decision was made to move to a home without stairs but they were stuck in a rental lease contract. This is when Mrs Yasmeen decided to try and get help by using Ms Livanos offer.
“I decided to approach Ms Livanos in regards to this issue. She told me to come down to the office to review my situation and provide me with a letter of support,” said Mrs Yasmeen.
“The letter helped me get out of my lease agreement based on medical grounds which was very helpful.”
MDAA claims to be the only organisation in NSW aimed at empowering people from a non-English speaking background with disabilities.
They provided Mrs Yasmeen with training and support through a project they ran called community voices. The aim of the project was to train people with disabilities or their carers so they could speak on their own behalf.
This provided Mrs Yasmeen with the tools necessary to advocate and lobby not just for her own child but other people going through similar situations.
According to the MDAA's executive director, Susan Laguna, Robina is a valued member of the Governance Committee of Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association and has been very helpful and generous with her time and skills.
Source: Robina Yasmin
"She has been actively promoting the organisation (MDAA), representing the organisation on various expert panels and bringing the voice of people with disability to decision makers both government and non-government."
"She is a champion for the rights of people with disability. She has introduced us to her community and had provided education to the community about her religion, Islam."
Regarding the possible expansion plans of MDAA efforts to other areas, Ms Laguna told SBS Urdu that currently, they have regional offices in Wollongong, Newcastle, Bega and Griffith, but no plans of expansion.
"We have also have an umbrella organisation, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, which has member organisations providing similar services as us in the different states," she said.
“I went to the Department of Education and gave lectures on how disability is viewed in our culture and religion,” said Mrs Yasmeen.
“MDAA also helped me in obtaining my diploma of business and a course in accidental counselling.”
Mrs Yasmeen told SBS Urdu that people from Pakistani or diverse migrant backgrounds living in NSW and going through disability or an issue should contact first contact MDAA.
“My first advice for people going through an issue or disability is to get in touch MDAA,” said Mrs Yasmeen.
“The vision of MDAA is providing help and support to anyone regardless of their cultural background or disability."
“They provide a range of services which can benefit everyone.” she further added.
Mrs Yasmeen's son is now 28 years old, currently studies at a university and drives around independently. He also used to suffer from anxiety but has now overcome it due to the counselling and support provided by MDAA.
Mrs Yasmeen is thankful for the help and support provided to her by the Australian Government and community organisations. She now looks forward to helping others going through similar issues by working across multiple community organisations and lobbying the government for further support towards disability in migrant communities.
Where to find help?
Disability Advocacy finder will help you find agencies funded under the National Disability Advocacy Program which can help you with a range of services.
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Information by the Department of social services:
National Disability Insurance Scheme:
