Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson has today announced additional funding of $2 million to support four independent disability advocacy providers and assist the sector’s transition to the Commonwealth National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Disability advocates work to promote, protect and defend the human rights of people with disability. In 2019, providers reported requests for support had increased significantly, particularly about how to access information and advice about and from the NDIS.
The four advocacy providers working on behalf of people with disability, their families and carers received $2 million of funding in 2019 to help reduce waitlists of people seeking their services.
The providers are:
- Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC);
- Explorability;
- People with Disabilities WA (PWdWA); and
- Midland Information Debt and Legal Advocacy Service Inc (Midlas).
The providers reported that additional funding had helped stabilise the waitlists for their services but demand remains high and is further compounded by the impact of COVID-19. In addition, NDIS participants continue to approach these agencies for assistance to navigate the system.
The additional funding will enable the four providers to address the heightened demand and curb waitlist growth for a further 12 months.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“A properly funded and well-resourced advocacy sector is critical to ensuring that the NDIS works for everyone.
“It became apparent last year that some community-based advocacy services were struggling to keep up with additional demand for their services due to Western Australia’s transition to the Australia-wide National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“These services are usually the ones families and carers of people with disability turn to when they are unhappy with a decision of the National Disability Insurance Agency.
“The McGowan Government is pleased to be able to help reduce the waiting time for people to receive advocacy services and I am committed to ensuring people with disability receive the right supports and services.”
