Advertising feature
Kerrie Turner is sure that her son Samuel, 5, wouldn’t have made the progress he has if the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) had not been in place.
Samuel had very limited verbal communication skills as a toddler however with support available through NDIS, Kerrie said he is now putting sentences together, writing his name and is more confident in the playground.
“Pre-NDIS, there was no individual funding and we would have had to prove a significant developmental delay,” Mrs Turner said.
“Samuel doesn’t have a final diagnosis, but since the NDIS is not diagnosis-driven, and is more based on how the child is functioning, we received fantastic support in the year leading up to school,” she said.
This individualised support for people with a disability, their families and carers, is the focus on NDIS.
This advertising feature is sponsored by the following business. Click the link to learn more:
National Disabiliy Insurance Agency General Manager, Media, Communications and Engagement, Maryanne Diamond, said about 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability will receive the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.
“The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind that if their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability they will get the support they need, Ms Diamond said.
“The scheme recognises that everyone’s needs and goals are different and supports people with disability to build skills and capability so they can participate in the community and employment.”
The NDIS became available in Western Sydney (including Parramatta, Blacktown, Holroyd and Hills) and South Western Sydney including Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden) this month.
It will not be available in SE Sydney, including Sutherland. Kogarah and Rockdale, and inner suburbs until July 2017.
There are a few criteria to become an NDIS participant (see www.ndis.gov.au for details) however the scheme will still connect people with disability, their families and carers, including people who are not NDIS participants, to disability and mainstream supports in their community.
Details: www.ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110.
