To kick off International Day of People with Disability, the Australian Government has announced a new National Disability Insurance Scheme website.

The website, www.ndis.gov.au, is designed to keep people up to date with the Government's progress towards a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

It will provide easy-to-read information, up-to-date news, disability and carer resources, and fact sheets on reform of disability care and support services.

With feedback running 80% / 20% negatively against the federal government and it’s slow handling of NDIS from the comments received by Disability Speaks following our request for commentary last week, let’s hope Gillard gets the message she needs to deliver urgent crisis funding and a long term funding commitment plan.

Mary Lou Carter of the Carers Alliance [see entry on LISA Forum] put it best when referring to NDIS and the lack of funding “if funding is not in the budget estimate forecast then NDIS does not exist” The Carers Alliance sentiments have been echoed strongly by many who believe Gillard is playing a game of sorts although some still hold out strong hope that because NDIS is being talked about, it is going to happen.

No one talks disability better than Bill Shorten and his address to the ALP National Conference will inspire many to believe that there are still champions within Canberra who will not rest until NDIS is implemented.

Link to Bill Shorten's Address

David Holst
Chair - Disability Speaks Steering Committee & Intellectual Disability Association of S.A (IDASA)