WED 23 JUL 2014
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Still going strong National Disability Insurance Scheme celebrates its first birthday AMELIA PARROTT
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birthday shindig of sorts was held at Caves Beachside Hotel last week, celebrating one year since the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Newcastle. NSW Minister for Disability Services, John Ajaka attended the event, hearing inspirational stories from people who had transitioned to the NDIS over the past 12 months. Christine Conway, a client of local disability service provider Life Without Barriers, said the NDIS had given her more independence. “I was very worried before the NDIS came on board because I was told that when I turned 65 I’d go into a nursing home and I couldn’t have my carers anymore,� she said. “It was really worrying me because I’m 60 now, I’ve only got five years to go. “Then when the NDIS came on board they told me never to worry again because it would never happen and I’d have Life Without Barriers my whole life,� an tearful Ms Conway told attendees. She said the NDIS had also allowed her to engage more with the community and had even taken up dancing after transitioning to the individual funding model. Mr Ajaka said stories like Ms Conway’s demonstrated what the NDIS was all about - choice. “Essentially, this is what the NDIS is about choices and people getting the support that they want, how they want it,� he said.
Ageing, Disability and Home Care chief executive, Jim Longley, Swansea MP, Garry Edwards, National Disability Insurance Agency CEO, David Bowen, Disability Services Minister, John Ajaka, Charlestown MP, Andrew Cornwell and Life Without Barriers NSW director of operations, Lauren Murray celebrate one year since the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme “It makes people happy and it changes lives for the better.� The event also marked the expansion of the NDIS trial into Lake Macquarie. “I am pleased we are moving onto the second phase of the trial because it means we are getting
on with the job of delivering better services to our most vulnerable,� Mr Ajaka said. The scheme will expand into Maitland next year. More than 10,000 people with a disability are expected to transition to the NDIS by the end of the trial period.
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