Parents and carers of children using therapy services and early intervention programs are invited to attend a community forum next week to discuss the services that will be available under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
“With the NDIS rolling out in Canberra in five weeks time, this is an exciting time for people with disability and their families and carers,” Minister for Disability Joy Burch said.
“This will be one of the biggest reforms ever undertaken and with any big change, it’s natural for people to be anxious about what that change means for them.
“The ACT Government has announced that it will gradually withdraw from providing services that will be met by the NDIS. This includes early intervention and therapy services for pre-preschool age children from the end of the 2014 school year.
“I know parents want more information on how this will affect their child. This forum will give them the chance to have their questions answered by the NDIS Task Force and the National Disability Insurance Agency, who have been working together closely on these challenges.
“I encourage anyone currently accessing Therapy ACT services or early intervention programs to come along to the forum, and join the discussion about how these services can be delivered under the NDIS.”
Ms Burch said the government was working with service providers to ensure the needs of families would be met once the NDIS begins on 1 July.
“We are investing in sector development, and I am encouraged that there are already examples of community service providers entering the market in the ACT to deliver early intervention and therapy services,” Ms Burch said.
“Our job is to build up this capacity, and engage with families to ensure their needs are met in the NDIS environment.
“We want to ensure the ACT’s disability sector is inclusive, integrated and family centred, and reflects evidence-based best practice now and into the future.”
NDIS Community Forum – Therapy in the ACT will be held Monday 2 June 2014, 12noon to 2pm, Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning, 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling.
To RSVP and for accessibility assistance emailndis@act.gov.au.
(Media Release Joy Burch)
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