We welcome the additional funding of $1.45 million provided by the Australian Government to Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) to facilitate and support engagement with people with disability in the NDIS Review (the Review).
DROs are uniquely placed to engage with people with disability and to provide a trusted and safe environment for their engagement in the review. The additional funding builds on the existing funding DROs receive from the government to provide systemic advocacy and representation for Australians with disability.
Disability advocates and experts have also welcomed the additional funding, recognising the vital role DROs play in ensuring that the NDIS is responsive to the needs of people with disability. The move is seen as a positive step towards a more inclusive and participatory Review process.
This funding will mean that we can hear from more people with disability because communication and accessibility support costs won't pose a barrier. Having the resources to amplify the voices of people with disability in our NDIS Review response means that the Review will be better positioned to learn from people with disability about what is working well and what needs to change about the NDIS.
As part of our engagement activities, we are pleased to partner with Every Australian Counts to further assist with reaching the disability community. This work will complement that undertaken by the DROs by assisting us to engage with participants and their families including in regional and rural areas of Australia. We will also be providing other ways for people with disability, their families and carers to provide feedback.
Genuine engagement with people with disability and their families is key to the success of the review and the NDIS. People with disability and their families, whether they are in the scheme or not, have ideas and solutions that no one else can see. This funding ensures that their stories, their solutions and their ideas will shape the future of the NDIS.
Through our 'Have your say' campaign, there have been more than 137,000 page visits and more than 1,123 individuals and organisations have given formal feedback. We have already met with thousands of participants, family members, carers, disability workers and service providers, as well as government officials, through more than 200 stakeholder meetings, and is continuing to engage with as many people as possible. However, the additional funding provides more opportunity for the review, to be informed by the experiences of people with disability and their families.
For more information on the NDIS Review and how to participate, visit Have Your Say.