Tuesday, 22 March 2016
A NEW era for people with a disability and their families in Northern Tablelands begins in just 100 days, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said.
Mr Marshall said the NSW Government was working closely with the National Disability Insurance Agency as well as its partners in the non-government sector to ensure the smooth transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on 1 July.
“The NDIS is on track, on time and on budget in NSW and for people with disability in Northern Tablelands, the NDIS will mean they will have choice and control over their own lives,” Mr Marshall said.
“I encourage clients, their families and carers in the electorate to start thinking about their goals and aspirations, and what supports they will need so that they can live life their way.”
Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka said that everyone in the community, particularly people with disability and their families, would share the benefits of the NDIS.
“The NDIS is not only good for our people and our community, but good for our economy. The Scheme will trigger a jobs and economic boom for NSW, benefiting communities like Northern Tablelands,” Mr Ajaka said.
Mr Marshall also announced that applications for the $5 million Transition Assistance Program (TAP) were now open.
Under the TAP, providers in country NSW areas can apply up for up to $35,000 in funding for NDIS readiness activities, like updating business plans or purchasing software. Grants are available to providers who have less than $3 million in annual turnover and are located in, or provide services to country areas and intend to become providers under the NDIS.
The TAP is being delivered in partnership with Aged and Community Services (ACSA) NSW. Applications close on Friday 22 April 2016.
“A successful NDIS in NSW relies on the growth of a solid, diverse disability services sector in NSW,” Mr Marshall said.
“The NSW Government has been investing significantly in the capacity and capabilities of the sector. This significant investment will further help providers get ready.
“The NDIS will change everything. It will mean that people with disability will receive the supports they need when they need them.
“It will transform the lives of people with disability and support their families.
“With 100 days until we start the transition to full scheme in NSW, people with disability and their families can stop worrying about waiting lists that were the hallmark of the old disability system.
“The opportunities that come with the NDIS will provide people with disability access to our community, paid employment uninhibited by a lack of supports and equipment.
“It’s not just 100 days until the NDIS starts to roll out, it’s 100 days until a world of opportunity is opened up to people with disability and their families in NSW.”
With some 43,000 participants coming into the scheme across Year 1 districts including 36,000 existing disability clients and 7,000 new participants in such a short period of time, there is a planned approach to how people will access the NDIS. The majority of people currently receiving specialist disability supports will be able to access the NDIS in the first six months of the scheme launching.
Information to support people and providers get ready for the rollout on 1 July 2016 is available at www.ndis.nsw.gov.au