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Palm Island part of NDIS rollout in Queensland by Sara Irvine 7 October 2015
T
he Queensland Government recently announced the early rollout of the NDIS in three regions, including Palm Island, which has a high Aboriginal population. Damian Griffis (pictured), CEO of FPDN said: “First Peoples Disability Network welcomes this news and we look forward to working alongside the Queensland Government, The National Disability Insurance Agency, local people, organisations and service providers as the NDIS rollout begins,” “By any measure, Aboriginal people with disability are among the most disadvantaged Australians and meeting the needs of Aboriginal people with disability and their families is one of the most critical social justice issues facing Australia today,” said Mr Griffis. Paul Calcott, Coordinator of the Murri Disability Advisory Network in Queensland said: “The NDIS offers significant opportunities for our people with disability. It is particularly encouraging that Palm Island has been selected as a site for the early rollout in Queensland because it will enable greater cultural understanding and enhance the preparation for the national
rollout from July 2016,” “We are looking forward to working with these communities and learning how the NDIS will work best for them,” said Mr Calcott. In 2013, FPDN launched its Tenpoint plan for the implementation of the NDIS in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities at Parliament House, Canberra, following extensive community consultation. It provides guidelines and recommendations for the implementing the NDIS ‘proper way’ by focusing on community led changes and recognition of the unique requirements of those living in regional and remote communities. It is available here. First Peoples Disability Network (Australia) is the national peak organisation of and for Australia’s
First Peoples with disability, their families and communities. The organisation is governed by First Peoples with lived experience of disability. FPDN proactively engages with communities around Australia and represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability in Australia and internationally. FPDN follows the human rights framework established by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), to which Australia is a signatory, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. FPDN’s ten-point plan for the implementation of the NDIS in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities is available here at www.fpdn.org.au The Murri Disability Advisory Network (Murri D.A.N.) is a network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living with disability in Queensland. The Network helps build resilience (keeping strong) by providing opportunities for members to connect to community and culture through art and the traditional practice of yarning. Murri D.A.N. is a consortium between Synapse, First Peoples Disability Network and Suncare.
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