NDIS in WA Latest News
State Election leads to review of decision to have a state-based scheme
The landslide victory of the WA Labor Party in the state election last month has brought the question of whether or not WA will have a state-run NDIS into the forefront of discussion. The state’s finances, the costly bilateral agreement, concerns that the Stantons report on the two schemes did not provide adequate evidence to support a state-run NDIS and lobbying from a number of sources has led to Premier Mark McGowan saying in the media that his government will review the previous government’s decision and an announcement will be made ‘within weeks’.
Since the new Cabinet was announced, Disability Minister Stephen Dawson has been meeting with many individuals, family members, service providers and workforce representatives to gather a wide range of views on the state and federal schemes, to inform the government’s decision. We will let the DSWA community know of any news on this front as soon as we hear an announcement.
Down Syndrome WA welcomes the new Minister and looks forward to working with him on NDIS and other issues important to and affecting people with Down syndrome and their families in WA.
DSWA and ILC Funding
We are very happy to tell you that two of the three DSWA Expressions of interest for ILC funding that we submitted to DSC have been approved, and we are now developing more detailed project plans. The WA projects relate to producing and delivering information on planning and self-management. This includes producing the information and resources in Plain English and Easy English. We will be running workshops in many areas as well as providing information to local support groups.
We are also hoping that Down Syndrome Australia will be successful in the national ILC funding round, to benefit people in all states and territories.
DSWA Local Support Groups
With the rollout for new areas fast approaching on July 1st, as well as all that is happening at government and political level, there’s a lot of uncertainty among people with disability and their families trying to find out what will happen in their areas.
People already in NDIS or WA NDIS areas are wondering if and when they will need to change over to a different scheme, and what this will mean for them. (The WA State Manager of NDIS, Marita Walker, issued a statement on 11 April that it is still business as usual for NDIS participants while high level discussions are happening, and that people in any of the NDIS areas – Perth Hills, Wheatbelt shires, Bayswater and Bassendean – are still encouraged to apply. DSWA also recommends that you do so.)
Meanwhile people with at least two years to go until their area is rolled into an NDIS also have concerns on a number of fronts.
So that people can have a chance to get together to find out more about what is happening, we have set some dates for local support group meetings in existing NDIS and WA NDIS areas, as well as some areas scheduled to start in July – see the list below. These are just a start, and we will be running more meetings in other areas and sending out information to everyone as it comes to hand.
As well as the following locations, we are currently organising support group sessions in Bunbury/Busselton and will let you have details as soon as possible.
We would also like to hear from people in the Kimberley/Pilbara areas about what is the best way to get information to you. Would you like us to set up an email group, facebook group, skype? Please let us know how we can support you as the NDIS rolls out.
PLEASE – make sure you RSVP for any of these catch ups so that group organisers know if you are coming. This is very important; if there are information handouts we need to bring enough; if there’s a big group, we may need to change venues.
The coffee and cakes are on us, and we thank Dome Cafes for the free use of their meeting spaces.
RSVP to admin@dsawa.asn.au to say you will be going or if you then need to cancel.
Local Support Group Meetings:
Rockingham
24 April – New Local support group in Rockingham, come along to have a coffee and find out details about the rollout of the NDIS in WA
10am at Dome Rockingham, 15 Kent St
Mandurah
26 April – New Local support group in Mandurah, come along to have a coffee and find out details about the rollout of the NDIS in WA
10am at Dome Halls Head, 11 Halls Head Parade
Cockburn-Kwinana
5 May – Cockburn/Kwinana group, catch up over coffee to discuss how your plans are going
10am at Dome Cockburn, 817 Beeliar Drive
Perth Hills
8 May – Hills area, catch up over coffee to discuss how your plans are going and the changes that may happen in the next few months.
10am at Dome Midland, 21 Cale Street
WA NDIS Information Sessions (run by DSC)
DSC has run a number of information sessions in metro and some regional areas in the past couple of months. At the time of writing this e-news, it looks like there are no more currently scheduled. Here is the link to the DSC website where any further sessions will be posted: http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/wa-ndis/wa-ndis/what-is-the-wa-ndis/wa-ndis-information-sessions/
Links to social media relating to the NDIS in WA
NDIS and Me – a closed* Facebook group with over 500 members, for Australians with Down syndrome and their families. The group, which is run by DSWA, aims to help its members to get ready and get the best outcomes they can from the NDIS. There is discussion about what is happening in all states so this can be a useful way of sharing questions and experiences within the national and local Down syndrome community. We will post this eNews to NDIS and Me and to the DSWA Support Network group. http://www.facebook.com/groups/NDISandMe/ WA NDIS – this open Facebook page is run by DSC and states that it is “Your official source of information about the WA NDIS”. https://www.facebook.com/TheWANDIS/ NDIS in WA Peer Support – a closed* Facebook group, with over 1400 members, for people with disability and families living in WA in either NDIS or WA NDIS areas (but you can also join if you are in other areas in WA). A useful group for information and discussion. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ndisinwa/ *You need to request to join closed groups. The admins will check that you are eligible before allowing you in. |
| NoDisadvantage – an open Facebook page with over 700 followers, run by disabled people and family members that says: We want the WA State Government to guarantee that West Australians with disability will not be worse off than other Australians under a WA NDIS. This is useful for the latest information about what is happening, lively and critical discussion and analysis of events, policy, scheme design as well as information on advocacy and activist events for the #NoDisadvantage Campaign. https://www.facebook.com/nodisadvantage/
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| Other useful social media There are lots of Facebook groups and pages on the NDIS and WA NDIS. If you find any that you find useful, please let us know. |
| As with all online content, please be aware that information may not be correct, so please do check before making any decisions or taking any action based on the information. |
