Funding boost helps people with disability get NDIS ready

Queenslanders with disability will benefit from a $2.8 million funding boost and additional support services to help them prepare for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will roll out in Queensland from mid-year.

Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the additional funding would support 11 community organisations to deliver NDIS readiness activities across the state, including a new organisation which would support people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

“The newest organisation, AMPARO Advocacy, will be funded an additional $26,000 from 1 July 2016, to ensure people with disability from non-English speaking backgrounds have the same opportunities to prepare for the scheme as others,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The NDIS will create a massive boost to Queensland’s economy, injecting more than $4 billion every year and creating jobs in a diverse and growing disability sector.

“The early launch of the NDIS is already underway in North Queensland, and I encourage people with disability to attend a local readiness forum to help prepare for the endless opportunities the scheme will bring.

“It is disappointing that while the Palaszczuk Government has been working consistently with the disability sector to make sure people are prepared, the Turnbull Government has decided to cut $66 million in Federal awareness funding.

“While they’re scrapping vital advertising, just seven weeks before the scheme is set to roll out, we’re investing an extra $2.8 million to make sure Queenslanders are ready.”

Mrs O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government had committed $9.4 million towards readiness activities across the state.

AMPARO Advocacy President Don Dias-Jayasinha said his organisation was extremely pleased to receive funding to help people with disability from CALD backgrounds prepare for the NDIS.

“Through our work with refugees and migrants with disability, we understand that language and cultural differences make it much more difficult for them to successfully navigate complex systems of support,” Mr Dias-Jayasinha said.

“The participant readiness initiative is a great way to help people from CALD backgrounds to get ready for the NDIS and ensure those who are particularly vulnerable don’t miss out on accessing disability support.

“It is crucial that Queenslanders with disability from CALD backgrounds are fully informed about the options available under the NDIS and how to best take advantage of these options.”

Mrs O’Rourke said the online Queensland NDIS calendar was a great way to find out about local events.

To find an event near you, visit: www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  3719 7184