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Youth Disability Advocacy Service
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STAFF

Dr George Taleporos e-mail

- Hi! I'm George, the coordinator of the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS).  I am slightly too old to call myself a young person, but it doesn't feel like that long ago for me!

When I finished high school, I spent 10 years studying at university and finished my PhD in psychology in 2002.  My PhD research was around body image and sexuality issues and how they are affected by physical disability.  Some say I'm like the Doctor Feelgood for people with disabilities!

I have been the coordinator for YDAS  since it was established in 2006.    My previous work has been in the areas of advocacy, training and community development.  I have been involved in delivering disability awareness training to local government as well as disability service providers.  I have previously worked with various disability advocacy organisations including Action for Community Living, and the Disability Resources Centre. I have been involved in setting up new services as well as advocating on systemic issues around community living and attendant support for people with disabilities. 

I am thrilled to be a part of YDAS and to work closely with young people with disabilities and my colleague Deborah, to make Victoria a better place for young people with disabilities.

  

Deborah Lawson e-mail

Like George, I am also a fraction too old to call myself a young person, having recently and very reluctantly turned 30.  (Although, for the record, I believe that George is in fact older than me). I’m from Dunedin, in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand. 

I moved to Melbourne in October 2007, having been offered the fantastic opportunity to work as the individual advocate at YDAS.  I was already familiar with Victoria, having spent many summers (and one cold winter) here over the past few years.  (My parents moved to Geelong for a couple of years a while back, seemingly prompted by a mid-life crisis).   Many of my friends from New Zealand have also lived in Melbourne for years.  These friends, the fabulous food, the hot weather, the MCG, and the awesome staff at YDAS and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, have made my move across the ditch incredibly fun and easy. I have previously worked as a researcher at the University of Otago (NZ), exploring legal issues around genetic testing of children, and as a lawyer for young people at YouthLaw in Auckland, NZ.

I am excited by the challenges that my role as the individual advocate at YDAS presents.  I particularly enjoy working alongside all of the young people who contact us for assistance in achieving their rights.     

 



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YOUTH DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICE: Raising Voices, Expanding Choices, Creating Change.
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