Six Western Australian advocacy agencies will share $1.2 million in State Government funding for projects designed to drive long-term change for people with disability and improve the quality of their lives.
The McGowan Government announced funding for systemic disability advocacy earlier this year after a period of consultation and research undertaken with stakeholders.
A wide variety of applications for first round funding were received, demonstrating a clear need for systemic advocacy services in Western Australia.
The successful tenderers for funding are People With Disabilities WA, the Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre, the Carers Association of WA, Consumers of Mental Health WA, the Development Disability Council of WA and the Autism Association of Western Australia.
The funded projects will address systemic barriers to improved life outcomes and access for a range of people with disability across the State.
The Department of Communities engaged extensively with the sector to develop an effective systemic disability advocacy approach for Western Australia.
Consultation with the sector noted multifaceted and complex issues in a range of areas, including transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), housing, health, mental health, employment, finance and accessibility, as well as issues specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and cultural and linguistic diversity.
Advocacy is a key element of the National Disability Strategy (NDS) 2010-2020.
As noted by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The McGowan Government has prioritised this funding to improve quality of life for people with disability during this important period of transition.
“Advocacy provides direct benefits for people with disability, and aids the Government in the early identification of systemic issues that negatively impact on the outcomes and efficiency of publicly funded services.
“The NDIS is the most significant social reform of our time and we need to ensure that it works for Western Australians.”
