November 26, 2014
A group of South Burnett carers hopes to spread the word about “self-management” under the National Disability Insurance Scheme at an expo being held at the Wondai RSL Club next week.
The South Burnett Peer Support Group was formed in February this year and is not connected to any of the traditional local support agencies.
It consists of carers, parents and people with a disability who meet on the first Wednesday of every month at Graham House in Murgon.
The “self-direction” expo, dubbed “Inspiring Choices”, will explore how people can now self-manage funding and support under the NDIS.
“As Queensland’s disability sector approaches the implementation of the NDIS, the focus is shifting from a traditional way of providing disability services to a model of support that provides families and individuals with a disability with unprecedented choice and control over the services they purchase and receive,” spokesperson Laurel Cohen said.
“The South Burnett Peer Support Group have been proactive in making links with grassroots organisations and individuals, as well as the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.
“These will be supporting the Peer Support Group to learn more about the future of disability services and explore the possibilities for exercising choice and control as these opportunities become increasingly available to people living with a disability in the South Burnett.”
Laurel said the Peer Support Group also hoped to inspire people who would like to become self-employed support workers to come along and learn about the employment possibilities in the South Burnett.
The expo will consist of guest speakers from service delivery organisations such as Homes West and Bespoke Lifestyles.
There will also be a range of stallholders providing information.
The expo will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Wednesday, December 3.
