People with disability will receive more support to access services under the NSW Government’s new Disability Advocacy Futures Program.
More than $13 million under the new program will be allocated to organisations across individual, systemic and representative advocacy types. It will support the more than 1.4 million people with disability in NSW, not just those accessing services under the NDIS
Disability Services Minister Alister Henskens, said organisations can now apply for contracts under the program, which fulfils the intent of NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald’s report into the sector.
The Commissioner’s report provided a blueprint for a contemporary and sustainable advocacy system and organisations have an opportunity to be a part of this exciting new chapter, the minister said. “I look forward to seeing the innovation, collaboration and new ways of delivering support that this commissioning process will deliver.”
More than 150,000 people in NSW are benefitting from the NDIS, with 81,000 receiving services and supports for the first time.