On 19 April, Sylvanvale Foundation attended the National Disability Services (NDS) NSW members meeting on the Productivity Commission’s draft report on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

It was presented by NDS Chief Executive Ken Baker.

Mr Baker said, “The report is the most significant draft report that has crossed my desk since being at NDS.”

The report stated “The current system is poor. The current disability support system is underfunded, unfair, fragmented, and inefficient, and gives people with a disability little choice and no certainty of access to appropriate supports. It is not a ‘system’.”

“This statement has closed the door on the government doing nothing,” said Mr Baker. “It will be difficult for the government to deny that the system needs to be rebuilt – not patched up.”

One of the schemes that the draft report proposes is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will provide support to 360,000 people whose disability has a significant impact on their daily life. NDIS appointed assessors would conduct the assessments in order to develop personal plans and support packages for people with disabilities.

As a part of the personalised plans and packages, the NDIS aims to allow people with disabilities to: choose their own service providers and/or choose mainstream services; request an intermediary to assemble the best package on their behalf, cash out the funding allocation and direct it to their priority areas.

The Productivity Commission’s final report on the NDIS will be sent to the government at the end of July. “The government is obliged to respond and ideally they’ll deliver a comprehensive response that endorses it. As such, a robust campaign will hopefully help that happen,” said Mr Baker

To ensure it does happen – you need to support it. Embrace the chance to stand up for what you believe in and have your say about revolutionising the lives of people with a disability at the NDIS Roadshow. This ongoing event aims to build awareness in the disability community around the proposed schemes and future for people with a disability. Anyone with a disability, carers, family members, and people who work in the disability sector can attend.

Upcoming NDIS Roadshow events are scheduled for:

• Thursday 28 April at Penrith
• Friday 29 April at Kogarah
• Monday 6 June at Blacktown
• Monday 13 June at Campbelltown
• Monday 17 June at Hornsby

Sylvanvale Foundation is a proud supporter of NDIS. The scheme will help support people with a disability, their families and carers by transforming the way services are funded and delivered.

Also read:

Make every Australian count

Progress made for national disability insurance scheme

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