$19.9m in grants will help open path to jobs

The Liberal National Government has opened applications for grants totalling $19.9 million for organisations that help smooth the way for Australians with disability into work.

The Information, Linkages and Capacity building (ILC) grants are part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that build inclusion and links into communities.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said the Economic Participation round of grants will back innovative proposals that build the capacity of people with disability to participate in work.

“Focussing this round of ILC on employment was a recommendation of the Liberal Government’s newly established NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce,” Mr Fletcher said.

“We want proposals that build the confidence, skills and capabilities of people with disability and provide long-term, meaningful employment opportunities.

“These grants will ultimately support employers to create opportunities for people with disability.”

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, said the ILC grants program was a fundamental aspect of the NDIS and is designed to empower people with disability to access their community and achieve their goals.

“ILC is all about inclusion –creating connections between people with disability and the communities they live in by funding organisations to carry out inclusive activities,” said Ms Henderson.

“We hope to see some creative and exciting proposals come forward through these grants, including new ideas to complement recent reforms like our cutting red tape for disability employment supports.”

The Liberal National Government has already invested $85.9 million over the last two years in ILC funding to support organisations to deliver activities that promote the inclusion of people with disability.

More information on the ILC Economic Participation grants can be found on the Community Grants Hub and the NDIS website.