The Australian Government is investing $40 million over two years in self-advocacy and peer support programs so they can continue to support people with disability to engage in our community and to advocate for themselves.
The Peer Support and Capacity Building grant program is a one-off grant round available to community-based services to continue the valuable role they play in the community supporting people with disability, families and carers.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Hon. Bill Shorten MP said community-based services play a unique role in welcoming people with disability and empowering them to build confidence and advocate for themselves.
“Peer support and self-advocacy organisations are central to supporting people with disability to feel connected within our community and to learn from the experience of others,” Minister Shorten said.
“As we collectively work together to make the NDIS stronger, we all know we’re at a critical point of the Scheme’s history. This means there’s never been a more important time to strengthen the services that support people with disability to engage confidently and self-advocate for what is right for them.
“The future of the NDIS is in peer-led work, with support for decision-making at its heart. This is the vision of the NDIS Review – to make sure participants have the power and knowledge to navigate how best to use their NDIS funds.
“These grants will provide additional funding support to organisations so they can continue to support people with disabilities to engage in the community and live more independently.
“It will ensure these organisations are well resourced, as we progress work with people with disability and the disability community to co-design and develop important reforms to the NDIS.”
The grant program is targeting eligible, small, community-based, disability led organisations who have established peer support and self-advocacy programs.
The grants will be released shortly and work alongside Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grants administered by DSS.
The Government has introduced changes to legislation as the next step in the reform process, stemming from NDIS Review recommendations.
These reforms will clarify the rules of the Scheme and the responsibilities for states and territories to provide services for all Australians, including people with disabilities. These services will include foundational supports.
The NDIA is committed to ensuring participants having a key say in how reforms are implemented.
