Government funding for disability conferences

Organisations that support Australians with disability will benefit from a $250,000 Abbott Government investment into disability-related conferences.

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, said 25 groups were receiving Government support to maximise the participation of people with disability at conferences this financial year.

“This funding has been provided to support conference organisers to increase participation of people with disability at disability-related conferences.”

“The funding will help to facilitate the open discussion of important issues facing people with disability and the organisations that support them, particularly as we transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Minister Fifield said.

Minister Fifield said the funding will assist organisations with the expenses such as the costs of conference fees, accommodation and travel for people with disability, and the provision of Auslan interpreters.

“Support for these national conferences demonstrates the Government’s commitment to backing organisations that are working to improve the lives of people with disability,” Minster Fifield said.

“It’s important that people with disability and disability support organisations have the opportunity to come together to learn, to impart knowledge and skills, and to chart the way forward for their organisations.”

Minister Fifield said the funding for disability conferences builds on the Government’s commitment to supporting vital social services in communities across Australia through the DSS grant process.

“The funding is being delivered under the Department of Social Services New Way of Working for Grants, which has seen 18 grant programmes consolidated into seven, and substantial funding committed across these programmes for new and existing services,” Minister Fifield said.

Further information on the new way of working for grants is available at www.dss.gov.au/grants