‘Rushed’ concerns raised atNDIS talk

People living with disabilities across the Pilbara will be among the first in regional WA to benefit from the National Disability Insurance Scheme when the three-year State rollout begins on July 1.

But as the first stage of education and information sessions start throughout country areas, not everyone is happy.

WA NDIS director-general Ron Chalmers visited Port Hedland last week to talk with service providers and families about the program.

Mr Chalmers said that when fully operational, the scheme would provide about $1.8 billion a year.

“It offers so much more certainty for people with disability that they need, ” he said.

However, Mr Chalmers was faced with concerns from some who believed the scheme had been rushed as State election caretaker mode rules came into action last month.

Hedland Community Living Association chairwoman Joan Foley said the scheme did not take into account interfacing with other health services such as housing and health services.

“You get someone that’s in the silo of Centrelink, where then does that silo of information go,” she said.

“I’ve spoken to people who have gone into the health services and they had no idea what’s going on and then people in our community end up getting nothing.

“It’s just too slow and I don’t see people having the opportunity to be involved in the greater community.”

Mr Chalmers moved to assure the community that interfacing between the NDIS and system providers on the ground would be vital during the rollout.