Page 1033 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The matter of navigation can also be one of practical communication strategy and information delivery. While much of the information people are seeking is ostensibly online, in reality not all young people or their carers and parents have consistent access to the internet.
Further to that, some families report being presented with difficulties in searching for clear and current information about resources. Examples of this include a major national provider of services, operating in the ACT, not displaying a Canberra address or phone number.
I would like to acknowledge that the government recently announced the opening of DISH@Oatley, a new disability information and support hub. This service, which is a partnership between several community service agencies and government, aims to assist people with disability and their families by providing information and coordinating linkages to services and programs in the community. The hub is not a new service as such, but does represent a co-location of a variety of government and non-government services, such as local area coordination, Belconnen Community Service, Woden Community Services, House with No Steps and Disability ACT.
I would guess that it is likely that this hub has been created in part to answer concerns raised by carers and parents about the difficulties faced when trying to navigate the system. But while it is a positive move, and I sincerely hope that this co-location model will reduce the amount of running around and the frustrating phone calls that people may have experienced in the past, the fact remains that there has not been an increase in support, guidance and case coordination.
I am also calling on the government to explore examples of best practice in providing structured day services, with a focus on providing social inclusion, education, training and recreational opportunities for people with a disability, such as the Victorian model of day services.
In recognition that some young people need help and guidance for a short period after they leave school to find their vocation and to establish their lives, and that other people need ongoing support to participate in our community, the ACT government currently offers two types of formal support. The first stream of funding is for up to three years transition support, funded by Disability ACT and currently administered by House with No Steps, for people who are going to move into employment, supported employment or education. House with No Steps works with existing services to create linkages and relationships. The second stream, community access services funding, is provided to people with high support needs who require ongoing alternatives to paid employment after leaving school.
Currently, the maximum level of formal support for people wishing to access existing services is equivalent to 12 hours per week, and the maximum level of funding that Disability ACT will allocate for individual support options is $15,000 per year to create unique supports around their family.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video