Almost every Australian is caring, or has cared, for a family member with a disability, or knows of a family doing so. Many of these families fall through a huge gap in Australia's social services network.
Those who acquire a disability through a workplace or a motor vehicle accident generally receive financial support. However, for those who acquire permanent disabilities in other accidents, are born with a permanent disability, acquire a permanent disability through a medical condition or have a permanent mental illness, there is no automatic support to meet their needs. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) campaign is aimed at rectifying that situation.
The campaign for an NDIS is supported across Australia by an unprecedented, politically bi-partisan and rapidly growing coalition of people with disabilities, carers, disability service providers, peak disability bodies and community and welfare organisations, including Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
As a result of this widespread support, the Australian Government instructed the Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into issues associated with the long-term care and support of people with a disability. A draft report was released on 28 February 2011 and the final report was released by the Australian Government on 10 August 2011. Visit the Productivity Commission website for further information about the final report.
