Major Government reform in both the disability and aged care sector announced in the Federal budget, will pave the way for an increase in person-centred approaches.

Although, the logistics of implementing the NDIS are still unclear, annecto is in a good position to embrace change into the future and certainly welcomes any change to improve the lives of people with disability, older people and their carers.

While the NDIS campaign has gathered momentum in recent months, campaigners for aged care reform have also been working tirelessly to ensure the Productivity Commission’s recommendations come to fruition.   The Government’s recent announcement of an Aged Care Reform package Living Longer, Living Better is set to provide as much if not more impetus for change in the Aged Care sector.

The Government has committed $3.7 billion over five years to deliver for older Australians, their carers and families:

• More support and care at home.
• Better access to residential care.
• Greater choice over the services received at home.
• Increased recognition of carers of those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• More support for those with dementia.
• Better access to information.

The roll-out of a National Disability Insurance Scheme, moving toward self-directed funding is a step in the right direction to empowering people and having more choice.

“The NDIS has the potential to transform the sector.  Ultimately it should provide people with more flexible and individually tailored supports and services. “  annecto CEO, Estelle Fyffe believes the success of the scheme will not be measured merely by the funding model and its implementation.  She believes its impact will be based on several key elements needing particular attention for the scheme to produce successful outcomes. 

“In contrast with current arrangements, in the future we will see the success of the scheme in what becomes possible for people with a disability and their families through more choices,  up to date equipment, evidence based practice,  and individual arrangements for  education, getting a job and a good life.”

annecto  began it’s journey to emerge from a traditional service provider to a community inclusion organisation three years ago.  The organisation has been working to reorient their approach in supporting people to align with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Community Inclusion indicators emerged as the vehicle to make this change.

annecto are hopeful that key areas of the budget will provide a platform for real change in supporting the rights of Australians with a disability and older people.

 Main points of the budget directly relating to people with disabilities and their carer’s include:

• $1 billion committed to a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• The launch of the NDIS in select regions across Australia from the middle of next year, making an NDIS real for about 10,000 people with significant and permanent disability, and their families and carers.
• Inject $59.6 million over four years into Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) in 2012-13, supporting more than 20,000 workers with disability across Australia.  The funding will support employment opportunities for people with disability.

While annecto have had the opportunity through Individual Support Packages (ISP’s) and Consumer Director Care (CDC) to test the water with self-directed funding, an NDIS will provide choice never before seen in the sector.

“It is an exciting prospect to think people will be able to choose who they want to work with (service providers).  As an organisation, we already have people ringing us directly wanting to engage our services.  Knowing they can choose to ring us directly will make life a little easier for people with disabilities and their carers.”