Three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations in Far North Queensland have received a $22,000 grant from the Australian Government to improve delivery of National Disability Insurance Scheme support services in the region.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the local recipients of the grant were Bandaar Walaaybaa Community Hub at Earlville, NPA Family and Community Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation in Bamaga and Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation in Pormpuraaw.
“This funding will help these organisations address challenges in registering and delivering NDIS services and allow them to continue to do their life-changing work,” Mr Entsch said.
“These grants, provided under the Morrison Government’s NDIS Ready project, will improve access and understanding of the NDIS for Indigenous Australians and ensure appropriate decisions are made at a local level.”
Federal National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Senator Linda Reynolds said the funding would strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in the NDIS – as well as increase the number of culturally-appropriate service providers.
“We can improve the lifetime wellbeing and quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability by ensuring earlier and better access to the NDIS,” Ms Reynolds said.
“Organisations will use the funding to address challenges in delivering NDIS services, and/or engaging business or technical advice to develop better systems of service delivery.”.
The funding will also help Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) to build their capacity to deliver NDIS services.