By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
THE hard part for many victims of discrimination is getting redress, says Victoria Legal Aid equality law program manager Melanie Schleiger.
Ms Schleiger is part of a discrimination law roadshow which will be in Dandenong tomorrow (Tuesday).
Ms Schleiger said the many people in Greater Dandenong who “sit on the edge of mainstream society” or in minority groups were most likely to be discriminated.
“It’s been found that people who experience disadvantage are more likely to experience discrimination but they are also the ones less likely to ask for legal help.
‘‘We’re encouraging people to get in touch with us when they suffer discrimination.
“Victoria Legal Aid has significant expertise in this area and can put people on the right track.’’
About 17 per cent of VLA’s “equality law” clients are from south-east municipalities including Greater Dandenong, Casey and Frankston.
VLA recently helped a young man who used a wheelchair.
His mother carried him up to his second-floor apartment because the building’s owners corporation refused to install a lift.
During an Australian Human Rights Commission mediation, he detailed his social isolation caused by not being able to access his home to the corporation members.
While no lift was installed, the members underwent anti-discrimination training and wrote letters to seek further guidance.
The man described the experience as “life-changing”.
People with disabilities make the most inquiries.
Complaints include employers failing to install large-print programs on computers or people being unable to access public and private buildings.
Other common wrongs include women being sacked after announcing their pregnancies, or having their position made redundant during maternity leave.
The workshop is on 10 December from 3pm to 4.30pm at Dandenong Senior Citizens Centre, 10 Langhorne Street, Dandenong.
