Here are eight things you should know about the Information, Linkages and Capacity building policy.

1. It’s a key part of the NDIS

Australian states and territories agreed to implement the ILC policy in July last year.

The ILC is not separate from the NIDS: it’s an integral part of the scheme. ILC activities will work together with individual plans to help people with disability to live their lives to the fullest.

Where individual plans focus on the needs of one person, ILC projects will work to build more inclusive, accessible communities for all. These activities will benefit all Australians with disability – whether or not they have an individual plan in place.

2. There’s $132 million up for grabs

The ILC budget will build up slowly over the next few years to approximately $132 million once the rollout is complete in 2019-20.

This funding will be distributed through grants to a diverse range of small, medium and large organisations.

The NDIA wants to invest in projects with a “contemporary, progressive approach to inclusion.” What they mean is that people with disability should be involved in every stage of project delivery.

3. Two big goals have been set

The first goal of the ILC policy is to build capability, so that people with disability have the information, skills and resources they need to achieve their goals.

The second is to ensure people with disability also have opportunities. This means they are able to access the same services as everyone else and are included all aspects of community life.

4. There are four funding streams

The ILC will fund projects that benefit people with disability, their families and their carers. These projects must also fit into four main activity areas:

• Information, linkages and referrals
• Capacity building for mainstream services
• Community awareness and capacity building
• Individual capacity building

These are about ensuring people with disability can participate in and contribute to their community, as well as helping community programs and mainstream services to meet their needs.

5. Priority goes to five focus areas

The NDIA has also identified five ‘focus areas’ to ensure that the limited funds are spent in the best possible way. Priority will be given to:

• Specialist or expert delivery (using specific knowledge or skills)
• Cohort-focused delivery (designed for a cultural or linguistically diverse group)
• Multi-regional activities (not limited to one single location)
• Remote/rural delivery (address the specific needs of an area)
• Delivery by people with disability, for people with disability (user-led)

6. There’s a contingency fund

At this stage no targets have been set for how much of the total money should be spent in each activity or focus area. To keep things fair, some money will be set aside each funding round to fill in any gaps that occur, and to encourage new and innovative approaches.

7. Consultation is ongoing

The NDIA held two rounds of consultation – each involving more than 1000 people – before publishing its ILC action plan last week.

Like the rest of the NDIS, it’s an evolving program and there will be continuous review and consultation with people with disability, their families and carers, and organisations working in the sector.

8. Rollout starts next year

If you’re wondering why you’ve heard so little of the ILC until now, that’s because it was not part of NDIS trial sites.

The ILC will have its own pilot in the ACT, starting in July 2017. It will then roll out at different times in different states and territories.

Find out more: You can read the full ILC Commissioning Framework here