The State Government will fund a trial of culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal NDIS participants in the Kimberley.
The Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service will undertake research and consult with specialists and Aboriginal people to develop a culturally competent model of allied health service delivery for the region over 18 months.
There will be a particular focus on developing techniques and resources that can be used by allied health professionals who work with Aboriginal NDIS participants.
A six-month ‘Community of Practice’ will also be set up to test and learn from the practical tools and resources created by the project.
The $50,000 funding for the project is being provided through the McGowan Government’s Sector Transition Fund which was established to assist registered service providers in the disability services sector to make the transition to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) operating environment.
The Department of Communities engaged disability advocacy group National Disability Services to administer the grants allocation process.
Eleven valuable projects across regional Western Australia are being funded, and will share in $1.7 million of grant funding to provide a broader range of sustainable, quality services to people with disability who live in regional and remote WA.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
“Western Australia has a unique geography creating challenges that other States and Territories do not experience – but all Western Australian NDIS participants deserve access to quality disability supports.
“The Sector Transition Fund has been set up with a focus on building knowledge and expertise in regional-based health and disability organisations, so they can provide services locally that are culturally appropriate.
“This trial will also build knowledge and capacity within the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, to enable it to provide more and better services into the future.
“This grant aligns with the McGowan Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap, ensuring Aboriginal people enjoy long and healthy lives and high levels of social and emotional wellbeing.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“The Kimberley faces the unique challenges of distance and remoteness, but no one should be excluded from quality disability support because they live in a regional or remote community.
“We know there is no ‘one size fits all’ model for disability support, and this funding recognises that the people best placed to develop workable methods are those in direct contact with clients.”
