PWD ACT welcomes the following ACT Government initiatives:
- The Transition Integrated Service Response to assist people with disabilities with complex needs experiencing difficulty in accessing appropriate services and supports in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS.)
- New funding for individual advocacy;
- Funding for two staff positions at the Office of Disability to address NDIS transition issues.
- Funding for the continuing development of The Disability Justice Strategy.
- Expansion of The Disability Inclusion Grants to $100,000 per year.
- Needs based funding for students with disability in ACT schools.
- Investment in smart disabled parking permits.
A number of initiatives have potential to substantially benefit people with disabilities if appropriately implemented. These include:
- The establishment of the Chief Minister’s Charitable Trust, to support initiatives deemed worthwhile by the community; and
- More support for people with chronic conditions to navigate the health system through Health Care Consumers.
PWD ACT draws attention to and expresses its disappointment with the failure of the Budget to deal with and provide funding for the following matters.
- The ACT Public Service Employment Inclusion Program for people with disabilities has been extended but there are no initiatives to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. PWD ACT calls on the ACT to consider and implement an initiative of the Victorian Government which has a Strategy for the economic participation of people with disabilities.
- There is no provision for housing which meets standards for universal design principles, liveability and visitability. Commitments in the Parliamentary Agreement relating to housing for people with disabilities remain unfulfilled for the second year in a row.
- There appears to be no provision of funding for the accessibility of transport vehicles and infrastructure both for public transport and point to point public and private services.
For more detailed information on the ACT, Budget read the ACTCOSS Budget Snapshot which will be released soon and can be found on the ACTCOSS Website.
