Page 502 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 2010
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in community support, 70 per cent in community access, 11 per cent in respite bed nights and 96 per cent in flexible respite hours.
This increased funding specifically targets people who have very high support needs that require ongoing support throughout their lives. It also assists the children of ageing carers who require accommodation and people who are in transitional stages, for example, leaving school, starting work, ageing and needing more support.
Disability ACT administers the flexible support fund, which provides $500,000 funding for initiatives that minimise the effect of disability and maximise the independence of people with a disability and so better support carers. Therapy ACT administers the children and young people’s equipment loan service, which is a free service for carers and families. This service assists children with a disability to have access to a range of equipment that will enhance their ability to be more independent, more mobile and better able to communicate. Appropriate equipment also enables families to provide care with greater ease and without injury and maintain their caring role. Through Therapy ACT, the government also provides free therapy services, which include physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychological and social work, including specialist services for people with autism spectrum disorder.
The ACT government’s mature carers program provides $1.73 million per annum to mature carers, who make up approximately 14 per cent of the population in a caring role, with 24 per cent of carers aged over 54. This program helps older carers to plan for their future, have additional respite and help their sons or daughters move from home to other living arrangements. This is important, because this is often a very stressful transition period for the family. I have been paying particular attention to this issue of late, and I am in discussion with the minister in relation to this group—namely, mature carers. As we all know, our population is ageing, and this particular issue of mature carers is only going to be a growing issue, and it needs urgent attention.
The ACT government introduced a companion card scheme designed to facilitate access for people with disability who require a carer in order to attend venues such as movie theatres. The scheme means that the carer of the person who requires the care can attend with that person, for instance, the movies, without having to pay for a ticket, so increasing social access for many people with disability and their carers. This may seem like a small matter. However, this is about doing what most of us take for granted—to go out for an afternoon or evening at the movies with a member of our family.
The ACT government is taking important steps to change and adapt service delivery in order to best meet the needs of carers. These steps include working with families to implement family governance support programs; increasing the visibility and participation of people with a disability in the community through initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s inclusion awards and the celebration of the international day of people with disability; proactive policies, including access to government and the government employment strategy; and greater access to information in relation to a range of access to disability services facilitated through the local area networks in Belconnen and Phillip and the disability information service.
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