Congratulations to Kurt Fearnley

Its great to see our Every Australian Counts campaigners being recongised by all levels of governments. As we work towards the introductions and trail of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to create a fairer system for all people with disabilities, regardless of there disability and how the disability was acquired. Where you live should not determine what level of funding you receive. 

As Kurt points out in his address the current system discriminates, those who are looking employment opportunities and study at tertiary level. There is a wide spread misconception in the community the people with disabilities and the families want handouts.  The purpose NDIS is a move away from welfare, its focus is on helping people with disabilities, their carers or guardians full participate in communities.

Currently many family members of someone with a profound disability would  love to be able to work, however currently the receive little or no support to care for their love one.  For those who require 24 hour care, only 2 weeks, 24hr respite care per year is available for caregivers under 65 in Queensland.

Despite some misreporting in the media, the NDIS is not another welfare payment.  Regard than payments being made on the bases of diagnoses, funding will be goals based, so if someone has a goal to drink at the pub every day, it is not likely to provide that person with funding.  That person receiving free counselling to deal with the anxiety and depression the person has as a result of their disability.

Thanks to people like Kurt at the start of July this year 20,000 people with a disability will trail the NDIS, which is exciting, because we'll get to see what works and what doesn't, before the full scheme is implemented and changes more difficult to make.

We have learnt from decades for using broken systems to see one sizes fits all approaches don't work. Nor do systems that encourage a sense on entitlement. A goal based system encourages people to earn support and hopeful improves self esteem in the process.

If your serous about disability support reform you need to educate yourself about current policies, purposed changes and be activity involved in the decision making process. You can do this by visiting Every Australian Counts Website   

It's often the first step that counts the most!

Debbie