New alliance of providers to collaborate over NDIS issues

The group named Alliance20, which was officially launched on Tuesday 23 October at Parliament House in Canberra, represents a number of disability service providers including Life Without Barriers, Endeavour Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Alliance and House with No Steps.

With 30,000 staff working directly in disability services and $2 billion in funding for these services, Alliance20 supports around 75,000 people with disability across the country.

The group will address a number of NDIS related issues including supporting participants with high and complex needs, servicing participants in rural and regional areas and boosting employment opportunities for participants.

Alliance20 spokesperson and Chief Executive of Life Without Barriers, Claire Robbs says the members will work closely to ensure the success of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“We believe in the NDIS and are deeply committed to the success of the scheme for the participants and our wider community.”

Ms Robbs says a joint approach between the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the disability sector and other key stakeholders will help achieve this.

“As a group of the most influential providers of disability services, we have the expertise, the knowledge and the scale to implement broad-reaching changes that are needed to ensure the success of the scheme, in consultation with NDIS participants and their families.”

She says Alliance20 members have close and often lifelong relationships with families and their participants which will help deliver practical solutions.

“We will build on our already strong relationship with the NDIA and other stakeholders in a positive and cooperative way to ensure that Australia has the best possible NDIS.”

One of the providers approached to join Alliance20 is the Endeavour Foundation.

Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Endeavour Foundation David Curd says the organisation wants the NDIS to meet the needs and aspirations of Australians living with disability.

“We believe Alliance20 will provide a strong voice and great resource to support the NDIA, Government and other stakeholders to address the many challenges and opportunities related to the NDIS – our aim is to make it the best it can be for all.”

“Working with other leading and like-minded organisations that share our commitment to better outcomes for people with a disability, we want to put forward positive solutions to maximize the opportunities and supports the NDIS is designed to provide,” he says.

Mr Curd explains the organisation born in advocacy nearly 70 years ago is committed to working with the disability sector and governments to address major issues in the lives of people with a disability.

For more information on Alliance20, click here.