Page 400 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 March 2014
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including government-provided services, we know that 93 per cent of respondents—that is, people who are currently assisted by a funded service—have heard about the NDIS. So we are succeeding in getting the message out to the people who need to hear it.
More than 2,500 Canberrans with disability and their families have given thought to their aspirations, their current supports provided both by formal services and those supports provided by the friends, family and community networks around them. They have thought about what would make the most difference to their life now. They have considered and collated their stories.
They are at least one step closer to being prepared for the opportunity to have more choice and more control over their supports and services that the NDIS can provide them. It is clear that people see their most important needs as being met in very different ways.
What people have sought through grants, in the main, looks very different from the services governments have traditionally funded and organisations have provided. The NDIS focuses on individual needs and outcomes. Its commitment to allow people with a disability to reach their potential and to really engage with our community will require a change in philosophy from some providers.
In the ACT, as with other trial sites, we lead Australia into the NDIS as we move from a service-led model to one in which people with a disability have hold of the reins. There will continue to be a vital role for formal services, of course. But those services, whether government or community provided, will need to adapt to succeed in this new environment. The diversity of grant offers in this second round of the enhanced service offer matched those in the first round.
Funds have been offered for equipment needed in day-to-day life, like wheelchairs, scooters, hoists, and adjustable beds; for equipment to enable people to take part in recreational activities like adaptive bicycles and those wonderful waterproof hearing aids; for software programs and IT equipment to assist children and younger people with autism; for safety devices like smoke alarms and door and phone alerts for those who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and to people who take part in community activities like swimming, dancing, music, jewellery making, CIT courses and horse riding.
Unfortunately, not every applicant could be successful. While 556 people have received grants, a further 1,000 have missed out. We understand that many people were disappointed and that some people may be quite distressed or concerned at that outcome. But the enhanced service offer was never intended or able to respond to all unmet needs in the ACT. The NDIS is being trialled because the current disability support system is inadequate across the country. Applicants who have not been offered a grant should be assured that this does not mean they are not eligible for the NDIS.
Indeed, I would encourage people to check the “my access checker” on the NDIS website to find out if they will be eligible for the NDIS. All eligible participants will
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