Families and carers of people with disabilities, as well as local service providers, had the opportunity to hear about upcoming roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Forbes on Tuesday.
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The NDIS is the government’s new way of providing disability support and is being rolled out across the state – it’s arriving here in July 2017.
It’s all about planning. It’s about what to expect and how to be prepared.
- House With No Steps Western Region manager Leanne Allegri
Little Learners House With No Steps Early Intervention hosted Tuesday’s forum, bringing NDIS community engagement officer Helen Riordan to Forbes to answer locals’ questions about the scheme.
Parents, carers and service providers were given an overview of how the NDIS will work and how they connect into the new system.
House With No Steps Western Region manager Leanne Allegri said the forum was attended by parents, carers and service providers from Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin and even Dubbo.
She says the NDIS will give people greater opportunities for support.
“There is also more choice and control over who they choose to provide that support,” she said.
“In the past, people have been locked in to what was provided.”
In addition, under the NDIS, funding is individualised.
Tuesday’s forum was all about helping people plan and prepare to transition to the NDIS from mid-next year.
“It’s all about planning,” Ms Allegri said. “It’s about what to expect and how to be prepared.”
The NDIS is now a national system, consistent across the country.
Participants must have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities; be aged less than 65 when they enter the NDIS; be an Australian citizen (or hold a permanent visa or protected special category visa) and live in Australia.
People who do not meet the requirements can still receive support, the NDIS will connect people with disabilities and their carers to support in their community.
Go online to www.ndis.gov.au or the NSW website ndis.nsw.gov.au for more information about connecting to services. You can also phone 1800 800 110.
