Government funds projects targeting hard-to-reach communities

The Turnbull Government will provide $56 million in funding to deliver targeted projects for hard-to-reach communities, following an announcement on April 30.

The projects will specifically support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, individuals living in remote regions and culturally and linguistically diverse populations, providing people with disability, their families and carers with access to relevant and up-to-date information and links to services and supports in the community.

“This $56 million in grants represent a significant investment in driving more inclusive communities and workplaces for all people with disability through building capability and creating opportunities,” a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) spokesperson says.

Funded projects include a South Australian project that supports people with disability in participating in cricket at their local club, the expansion of the popular New South Wales program, Gig Buddies where adults accompany people with disability to concerts and social events and a virtual hub for females with disability with information on decision-making, leadership, sexual and reproductive health and violence prevention,

These projects have been funded through the National Disability Insurance Agency’s Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Program.

“The NDIS’ ILC Program contributes to the overall goal of the NDIS, which is to enable people with disability to live an ordinary life,” an NDIA spokesperson says.

The projects are guided by two principles; Personal capacity building, which refers to making sure people with disability and their families have the skills, resources and confidence they need; and community capacity building, which is about making sure mainstream services and community activities become more inclusive of people with disability.

In deciding which projects would be funded, a selection panel, which also comprised of people with disability, considered how well they align with the purpose of the ILC.

The funding is a warm welcome to the disability sector and a positive step towards increased inclusiveness.

“Our society must continue to evolve and become more inclusive for people with disability,” Minister for Social Services, Dan Tehan says.