The Statement of Rights poster has been released in four First Nations languages, improving access to important rights information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory.
The posters were translated with the support of Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS), the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) Northern Territory Top End member, to ensure essential rights information is more accessible and culturally appropriate for First Nations communities.
Now available in Eastside Kriol, Tiwi, Warlpiri and Yolŋu Matha, the posters outline the key rights of older people receiving aged care services under the Aged Care Act 2024. These include the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to feel safe, and to make decisions about their own care.
OPAN CEO Craig Gear said these rights are fundamental, and all older people need to be able to understand and exercise them without language and cultural barriers.
‘DCLS often works with older people, their families and support network who speak English as a second language, or not at all. While the language of ‘rights’ may be different in different cultures, the need for dignity and respect for older people is particularly pertinent and resonates for older people in Aboriginal communities.
‘Recognising this, DCLS championed this initiative to empower First Nations people to better understand their rights and advocate for quality aged care.’
Mr Gear said the rights-based approach to aged care outlined in the Act is only effective if it’s embedded in the system.
‘It is crucial that older people understand their rights so they can speak up if those rights are not being respected.
‘These translated posters demonstrate our ongoing commitment to inclusive, culturally safe advocacy,’ he said.
The translated Statement of Rights posters are now available to download making it easier for aged care providers, community organisations and individuals to access and share these important resources.
Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS) First Nations Statement of Rights video