Western Sydney speaks up for an NDIS

The Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, today joined Federal Member for Lindsay, David Bradbury, to officially open the Nepean Disability Expo in Penrith and discuss the progress towards a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Nepean Disability Expo is a free bi-annual event that showcases services and products offered by local disability service providers and organisations.

The expo allows local people with disability, their families and carers to find out more information on disability services in their area, speak directly with providers and plan for their future.

Ms Macklin said many attendees at the expo were keen to find out more about a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“The Gillard Government is working hard to build an NDIS to make sure people with disability get the care and support they need, no matter where they live or how they acquired their disability,” Ms Macklin said.

“We’ve shown we’re prepared to do the heavy lifting by investing $1 billion to deliver the first stage of an NDIS in five locations across the country.

“From next year, an NDIS will be a reality for thousands of people with disability, their families and carers.”

Mr Bradbury said Western Sydney residents had shown their strong support for an NDIS.

“I’ve received strong feedback from local residents telling me how important this reform is to them and their family,” Mr Bradbury said.

“We know we need to fundamentally change the way we deliver care and support to people with disability, and local residents are really pleased that this Labor Government is leading the way in making this change happen.”

Minister Macklin said the theme of the Nepean Disability Expo this year is “choice”.

“A big part of an NDIS is making sure people with disability can have more choice and control over the care they receive.

“Under an NDIS, people with disability will be assessed to receive a care and support package that is tailored to their needs, and they will have a say in how they receive that support.”

“We’ve seen today some of the fantastic things that organisations and service providers in the area are doing for local people with disability,” Mr Bradbury said.

“People with disability and their advocates here in Penrith have told us loud and clear today that they want an NDIS, and that’s what we are working to build.”