Welcome to our winter update. It comes at a time of greater public focus on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), particularly around new independent assessments, personalised budgets and challenges within the specialist disability accommodation (SDA) sector.
Recently a small group of Summer Foundation key staff and I met with the newly appointed NDIS Minister, Linda Reynolds. It was refreshing to hear that the priorities of the Minister around the issue of young people in aged care are closely aligned with those of the Summer Foundation. We are delighted to have an engaged and solutions focused NDIS Minister.
Minister Reynolds has created the space to have open conversations with the sector about key priorities of the NDIS, including those mentioned above. We are looking forward to working closely with her and the NDIA to inform and shape opportunities to improve the NDIS. The voice of people with disability is central to our influence and discussions with the Minister.
The recent decision by state and federal building ministers to include mandatory accessibility standards in the National Construction Code is a great win for all Australians (see here).
We also welcome Minister Reynold’s commitment to consult further on independent assessments.
I hope you enjoy reading about more of our work in this edition of our Summer Foundation News Update.
Stay well,
Di Winkler, CEO & Founder