New funding for 13 disability advocacy providers

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten, today announced increased funding for 13 disability advocacy providers as part of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP).

The providers will have their Australian Government funding increased to $100,000 to allow them to provide increased disability advocacy support for people with disability, their families and carers.

The Australian Government will provide $12.28 million to disability advocacy groups in the current financial year.

“The Government has listened to calls from advocacy organisations for extra funding to meet the needs of people with disability in their community,” Mr Shorten said.

“The NDAP assists people with disability to overcome barriers that impact on their daily life to facilitate their full participation in the community.

“This funding will ensure these organisations can continue to meet demand for their important work.”

Agencies will use the funding to further enhance disability advocacy support they currently provide.

Mr Shorten said that people with disability still faced barriers in their everyday lives, which would be considered unacceptable if they were imposed on other minorities.

“Advocacy continues to be an effective safeguard for people with disability and a way of helping ensure that their rights are respected,” Mr Shorten said.

“This program provides valuable funding to organisations which help fight for better access for people with disabilities, and against discriminatory attitudes, abuse and neglect.

“This funding is vital to ensure that people with disability have access to the facilities and programs that they need.”

The agencies receiving funding are: