NDIS engagement with remote APY lands

The Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield and the Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, have today welcomed the release of a report on the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme into the APY Lands.

The APY Lands span more than 100,000 square kilometres in north-west South Australia and over the borders into Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The report has been authored by the NPY Women’s Council and provides recommendations to the National Disability Insurance Agency on how the Scheme can be successfully rolled out to the APY Lands.

“This is an important report that will help ensure the NDIA can tailor the delivery of the NDIS in the APY Lands,” Minister Fifield said.

“The report will also be a valuable input into how we successfully bring the NDIS to other remote Indigenous communities across the country.”

“Several of the recommendations have already been acted on by the NDIA in the South Australian trial site, demonstrating the importance of the trial sites in learning lessons before the Scheme is rolled out nation-wide,” he said.

Mr Ramsey, whose electorate of Grey covers the APY Lands, said it was important that the NDIS can be adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of remote communities.

“Delivering the NDIS in a city is a very different challenge to delivering it in the APY Lands, which is why it’s important the community is engaged and their feedback and expertise incorporated into the scheme,” Mr Ramsey said.

“Community engagement is key to ensuring the Scheme is the best it can be and will provide real support and assistance to people with disability in the APY Lands,” he said.

The report is available online by visiting http://www.ndis.gov.au/document/1331.