The final report on a landmark five-year policy framework and implementation plan to improve outcomes for people with disability in the ACT has been released.
“Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014 was first implemented in 2009-10 to deliver better outcomes for people with disability,” Minister for Disability Joy Burch said.
“Under Future Directions, we have implemented the award-winning Everyone Everyday program in our schools, and provided more than 1300 grants through the Enhanced Service Offer to help people with disability get ready for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“I am also proud of the work we have done to improve innovative housing options for people with disability, the improvements to the ACTION bus service to make it more accessible and flexible, and the Digital Story Telling initiative that helped people tell their story.
Minister Burch said the report is a testament to both the hard work of the ACT community and disability sector and a record investment in disability services.
“Future Directions focused on collaborative action across the ACT Government and the business, sports, arts and community sector and has been supported by a 40 percent increase in disability specific funding over the last five years, from $68.6 million in 2009-10 to almost $96.2 million in 2013-14.
“The ACT Government will now begin seeking advice and guidance from the community on a new two-year ACT Inclusion Statement to help establish our next priorities, shape our commitment to the National Disability Strategy and assist our transition to the NDIS world.”
