Have your say on the National Disability Advocacy Program

The Commonwealth Government is calling for public input to a review of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP), which funds agencies that provide advocacy services to people with disability.

Assistant Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Jane Prentice MP said the Review will help to ensure NDAP continues to meet the needs of people with disability, particularly as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is introduced.

“The National Disability Advocacy Program provides people with access to advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights,” Mrs Prentice said.

“NDAP has operated largely unchanged since it began in the 1980s and this Review is part of an ongoing process of continuous improvement.

“This Review will ensure the programme adapts to provide services to the best possible standard in a changing disability environment, including the introduction of the NDIS.

“We want to hear from all stakeholders, including people with disability, the various advocates, disability peaks and human rights organisations to find out what is currently working well and what might be improved.”

Mrs Prentice said feedback from the Review, together with insights from recent NDIS and Department of Social Services consultations, would be used to develop the new NDAP.

“The new programme will ensure greater consistency across advocacy support and ensure the rights of people with disability are upheld,” she said.

To have your say, make a submission at www.engage.dss.gov.au before 7 June 2016.