Budget boost for disability services in Ingham as NDIS rolls out

Ingham Disability Support Serviceswill benefit from more than $3.2 million in Palaszczuk Government funding to support people with disability in the Hinchinbrook area.

Disability Services Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said the funding was part of a $1.7 billion allocation for disability services in this year’s State Budget, which reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of people with disability.

“Our government is proud to support organisations, like Ingham Disability Support Services, to continue to deliver disability and community care services to the community,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This includes in-home and centre-based accommodation support and respite, as well as community access, so that carers can have a well-deserved break.

“Above all, this funding will help to develop creative solutions and tailored strategies to support clients as North Queensland enters the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, west to Mount Isa and up to the Gulf are the first areas to access the NDIS as part of the full transition, which started last week.”

Mrs O’Rourke said the NDIS would give more choice and control to around 4800 participants in the broader Townsville region, and Ingham Disability Support Serviceswas well placed to take advantage of the opportunities they would create.

“Ingham Disability Support Services has already started work with clients in the Townsville early launch site, and this experience will be invaluable as more local people join the scheme,” she said.

“The NDIS will support people with disability to live the lives they choose, to chase their dreams with appropriate support, and not be bound by what others perceive they can achieve.

“Once fully operational, the scheme will also generate up to 19,400 new jobs in our state’s disability sector, and up to 950 of these jobs could be created in the wider Townsville region.”

Ingham Disability Support Services CEO Elizabeth Sutton said the organisation had a strong focus on supporting people with disability by providing a quality service that is empowering, professional and dedicated, and will make a positive difference.

“We are particularly excited that the NDIS has now started here in North Queensland and we look forward to seeing new opportunities open up for our clients and their families as more people join the scheme,” Ms Sutton said.

“We have been supporting people in the Hinchinbrook community for 40 years and with the roll out of the NDIS we will be able to provide supports to a broader client base, giving a larger number of people with disabilities in our community many more options. We look forward to the positive changes that the NDIS will bring.”

For further information on the NDIS visit www.ndis.gov.au or call the NDIA Hotline on 1800 800 110.

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  3719 7170