WISE Employee Paul Tesoriero was inducted into the Disability Connections (Victoria) Committee of Management as “Youth representative” in April this year.

Paul was invited to apply to the committee after attending some of their meetings as a WISE referral officer. “They were looking for a young person that had fresh ideas, and they felt that I fit the bill,” Paul said, “And because I work in the disability employment sector, I suppose I’m also a useful referral point for clients.”

DCV is a network of almost 1000 people with disabilities, their carers/families, service providers, government and community. The DCV website reads, “DCV seeks to empower our members through information and giving them an active voice. DCV partners with decision-makers and other people of influence to change laws, policies and processes so we can achieve an inclusive community for all.”

Paul is pleased to join the committee, adding a youth perspective to activities. “They try and support people in learning how to self-advocate,” Paul explained, “It’s important to try and teach people how to empower themselves in a supportive environment,” Paul said, “It’s about getting people to achieve their potential, and being a part of that.”

And Paul knows exactly what achieving your potential means after representing Australia in international power-lifting competitions. Paul has competed in several Australian and Asian power-lifting competitions, and won gold at the 2007 Asian Cup in Kuala Lumpur, proving that you can achieve things when you want to.

In 2011 and beyond, Paul’s goal is to help improve the quality of people’s lives by encouraging community involvement and self sufficiency, both as Case Manager Referral officer at WISE’s Prahran site, and as Youth Representative on the DCV committee.

DCV advocates the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). NDIS is a suggested system that will transform the way services are funded and delivered in Australia, to ensure people are better supported, so they can have greater choice and control.