Information Linkages and Capacity Building grants to boost economic participation

The grants totalling $19.9 million were released by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on 15 February to boost economic participation for people with disability.

The investment aims to support employers in attracting, employing and retaining people with disability, in building employment skills and projects that develop entrepreneurial and self-employment capability for people with disability.

The grants will help lay foundations for the Economic and Community Participation Program which is part of the new ILC Investment Strategy.

The grant round is open to all employers, employment agencies, organisations that work with people with disability, and training providers and will be offered for one year.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, says the grants will support innovative proposals that build the capacity of people with disability to participate in work.

“Focusing this round of ILC on employment was a recommendation of the (Federal) Government’s newly established NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce,” Mr Fletcher says.

“We want proposals that build the confidence, skills and capabilities of people with disability and provide long-term, meaningful employment opportunities.

“These grants will ultimately support employers to create opportunities for people with disability.”

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson says the ILC grants program is a fundamental aspect of the NDIS and is designed to empower people with disability to participate within their community and achieve their goals.

 “ILC is all about inclusion, creating connections between people with disability and the communities they live in by funding organisations to carry out inclusive activities.

“We hope to see some creative and exciting proposals come forward through these grants, including new ideas to complement recent reforms like our cutting red tape for disability employment supports.”

Acting Chief Executive Officer of National Disability Services (NDS) David Moody says the grants encourage more employment initiatives for people with disability, a cause NDS strongly advocates for.

“The evidence of the social participation and economic benefits for people with or without disabilities of employment is clear.

“Employment options that accommodate all needs are important,” he adds.

The Federal Government has already invested $85.9 million over the last two years in ILC funding to support organisations to deliver activities that promote the inclusion of people with disability.

Submissions for the new ILC grant round close Wednesday 13 March 2019 at 2pm (AEDT).

To apply visit the DSS Community Grants Hub online.