News | 1 July 2016

1 July – what they said

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NDIS - we made it real

Today marked the start of the NDIS moving beyond the trial sites. We take a look at how Australia celebrated.

With the roll out of the NDIS starting today, just a day before the federal election, it was always going to be a busy day for our politicians.

All sides of politics came together to celebrate the milestone.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter described it as a meaningful and historic day, while Assistant Minister for Disability Services, Jane Prentice said the NDIS would ensure people with disability have the assistance they need to help them achieve their goals.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten celebrated at Northcott in Western Sydney. He said the milestone showed that Australia can be a “better place when we actually set our eyes on the prize and go for the big picture.”

Greens Disability Spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert urged Australia to “make the NDIS the best it can be.”

State Disability Ministers across Australia took to social media to mark the day.

In Victoria
VIC - 1 July response

In NSW
NSW - 1 July response

In Queensland
QLD - 1 July response

In Tasmania they celebrated a few days early.
TAS - 1 July response

And in Western Australia their extended trials started today.

The disability Sector celebrated together.

Disability Commissioner Susan Ryan described the NDIS as the “biggest advance yet for the rights and opportunities for people with disability.”

And people shared their experiences to show their support.

Here’s just a few of the messages from Every Australian Counts supporters

Congratulations for all that has been achieved and for the dedication and belief in this wonderful scheme to support our very precious people who have a disability. I am the mother of a Down’s Syndrome Lady with a severe disability.  Heartfelt Thanks.

I am so excited that my 15 yo son might start to have his therapies accommodated so he can learn like other kids take for granted. If some of his medical bills are paid, it will mean we will be able to eat meat occasionally and there may be enough left at the end of the week to afford an English tutor to help him for yr 10 exams as he is not funded for an aid. However I believe it doesn’t start in Yarra Ranges until he is nearly finished yr 11. That is if he can manage year 11 without help. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

It has been a long time coming… it has taken a huge amount of energy & persistence… we ‘children of the sixties’ were never going to have our children with disabilities segregated from our local community… our children, now adult men & women have become part of the tapestry of our local community and are recognised as part of our local community and are included… and now we know they will also be financially supported when we are no longer around… I’m crying happy tears…

The NDIS is a huge change for the better to the way people with disability are supported throughout Australia. Like any change on this scale, there will be issues to solve and problems to iron out.

And there’s still a few years until it’s there for everyone.

Today is a reminder of the huge support there is right across Australia for a scheme that Every Australian Counts supporters campaigned so hard for.

#thankyou #ndis #wemadeitreal

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