Recent difficulties in securing Federal funding were reported here, here and here:
Step in the right direction on federal funding
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has secured a $600,000 funding commitment from the Federal Government to work with ten national organisations representing people with disability and their families.
The funding will allow AFDO to identify practical solutions that can support people with disability to access information, peer support and best practice specific to their condition and build the capacity and self-sustainability of people with disability organisations.
AFDO CEO Matthew Wright said the Federal Department of Social Services funding was a “step in the right direction”.
“This is a welcome announcement which will enable specialist people with disability, representative and family organisations to keep their doors open this year and to continue to provide important support to over 200,000 Australians with disability. However there is still work to be done to secure our future” said Mr Wright.
“This is a step in the right direction and reflects an understanding that specialist people with disability, representative and family organisations play a valuable role in supporting the community and building an NDIS.
“I am very pleased with what our ten organisations have achieved working collaboratively to ensure that every person with a disability has a voice.”
“Two national organisations, through AFDO, will receive Federal funding for the very first time, including Down Syndrome Australia and Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia. Mental Health Australia will also receive funding to build the capacity of mental health consumer and carer voices.”
CEO of Down Syndrome Australia Ruth Webber said it was the first time ever that Down Syndrome Australia had been funded by the Federal Government.
“We welcome the recognition of the important role we play for the Australian Down syndrome community and the support we provide to over 4000 people with Down syndrome and their families. This funding enables us to develop additional resources to support new parents and to provide information to adults with Down syndrome about the opportunities the NDIS can bring to make more informed choices,” Ms Webber said.
Our organisations look forward to working collaboratively with the Federal Government.
“We would like to thank Minister Fifield and the Department of Social Services for this important step forward. We will work collaboratively with DSS to ensure we build the capacity of our organisations as the NDIS commences full roll out,” said Mr Wright.
“AFDO and our ten people with disability, representative and family organisations would like to publicly acknowledge the significant support we have received from departmental staff, advisors, ministers, people with disability, carers and service organisations and the media. I have been overwhelmed with the support we have received, reflecting the value that Australians place on the importance and contribution of people with disability broadly.”
Matthew Wright, AFDO CEO
To download this article as a PDF, visit the AFDO website where the story was originally published.
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