$12 Million to Support National Disability Advocacy Programme

The 2007-08 Federal Budget will provide $12.2 million to fund improvements to the highly successful National Disability Advocacy Programme (NDAP), including the introduction of a vital new independent quality assurance system.

The Minister for Community Services, Senator the Hon. Nigel Scullion today said the Australian Government funding will help advocacy services to support even more people with disability.

‘A key aspect of the package will be the introduction of an independent Quality Assurance system for disability advocacy services, which will help ensure a consistent quality of service across the network,’ Senator Scullion said.

‘The funding also represents a 20 per cent growth in programme funding, a clear indication of the Australian Government’s support for NDAP.’

The changes to the programme will:

• assist in meeting some of the unmet demand for individual advocacy services by increasing the level of support available to people with disability and their families;
• improve coverage of disability advocacy services in rural and regional areas;
• ensure people with disability and their families have easier access to disability advocacy services; and
• ensure people with a disability and their families receive quality services.

Senator Scullion said advocacy organisations, people with disability and their families would benefit from the measure by having access to additional resources which would enhance the effectiveness of the NDAP.

‘The NDAP assists approximately 17,000 people each year and has been helping people with disabilities for the past 20 years to overcome barriers, such as physical access, discriminatory attitudes, abuse and neglect which impact on their daily life.

‘The $12 million Budget measure will help the NDAP to continue and expand the valuable service and support it provides to people with disability and their families,’ Senator Scullion said.

National Disability Advocacy Programme – enhancements

Why is this important?

This funding will provide the following enhancements to the National Disability Advocacy Programme (NDAP):

• a 20 per cent growth in program funding;
• increased promotion of disability advocacy services across Australia; and
• introduction of an independent Quality Assurance system for disability advocacy services.
• The enhancements to the programme will:
• assist in meeting some of the unmet demand for individual advocacy services by increasing the level of support available to people with disability and their families;
• improve geographic coverage of disability advocacy services in rural and regional areas;
• ensure that people with disability and their families can more easily access disability advocacy services; and
• ensure that people with a disability and their families receive quality services.

Who will benefit?

• Disability advocacy organisations, people with disability and their families will benefit from this measure by having access to additional resources that will enhance the effectiveness of the NDAP.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• $12.2 million over four years

What have we done in the past?

• The NDAP assists people with a disability to overcome barriers (i.e. physical access, discriminatory attitudes, abuse, neglect, etc.) that impact on their daily life to facilitate their full participation in the community. In 2006-07, the Australian Government provided approximately $12 million in funding to disability advocacy organisations to assist people with a disability and their families.

When will the initiative conclude?

• This is an ongoing measure.