Funding Extension for Disability Advocacy

The Federal Government has extended existing grants worth $16.7 million to disability advocacy agencies.

The Assistant Minister for Disability Service Jane Prentice said 58 agencies were currently funded through the National Disability Advocacy Program to provide people with disability access to advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights.

“We have approved a 12-month extension to these grant agreements, making $16.7 million of funding available to these agencies until 30 June 2017,” Prentice said.

“The National Disability Advocacy Program, which has operated largely unchanged since it began in the 1980s, is being reviewed.

“The 12-month extension will enable the Department of Social Services to work closely with people with disability, advocacy agencies, the National Disability Insurance Agency, state and territory governments and other key stakeholders to continue this review through 2016.

“The review will provide direction for these advocacy services as they begin operating in a new environment that includes the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).”

Service providers and other interested parties can contribute to the review. The Government said further information would be available on the DSS website in coming weeks.