WA establishes Advisory Group to aid NDIS transition

Comprised of people with disability, carers, service providers and peak bodies, the group will provide strategic advice on the success and challenges as Western Australia transitions to full scheme.

Minister for Disability Services, Stephen Dawson says the NDIS Transition Governance Advisory Group will play an important role in ensuring the transition into the NDIS occurs for Western Australians with disability, as smoothly as possible.

“The NDIS is a major transformation to the way services are provided to people with disability and their families, that also represents a significant social and economic reform for all Western Australians.”

“It is vital that we get Western Australia’s transition into the NDIS right,” he says.

Mr Dawson notes that the NDIS experience in the rest of the country has been met with both positivity and negativity.

“It is vital that we learn from the lessons of other states and ensure that the positive gains we have made in WA are retained and incorporated into the national scheme design.”

Executive Director of People with Disabilities Western Australia (PWDWA), Samantha Jenkinson says the NDIS is being met with apprehension and nervous energy surrounding eligibility, finding the right support and the already lived experiences of people living in the eastern states of Australia.

“We know that there is a continuing need for advocacy both for individuals and to address the system issues if we want the NDIS to work for us,” she says.

Ms Jenkinson says as a representative advocacy organisation, PWDWA’S biggest challenge is ensuring they hear the issues, support people to be heard and involved and influence how the NDIS works for people with disabilities.

“It is really important that lived experience of people with disability informs the changes needed in the NDIS,” she says.

“We are pleased to have been invited to be part of the Advisory Group so we can ensure that if a pattern of issues emerges it can be addressed and responded to quickly by both the state systems and the NDIA.

“We also believe the Advisory Group could raise issues at State Government level where there are problems with the interface with mainstream services like schools, the health department and transport.”

She says PWDWA are hoping for a “less traumatic” roll out of the NDIS in Western Australia.

The NDIS is expected to be fully rolled out in Western Australia by 2020.

For more information on disability support and services, please visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au