NEW FUNDING TO BOOST ABORIGINAL DISABILITY SERVICES IN WINGECARRIBEE

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward joined Liberal Candidate for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman today to announce grant funding of $243,800 to Education Services International Supply Group to help them deliver services to Aboriginal people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Wingecarribee Shire Council area. 

Ms Goward said the organisation had secured a grant under the Making It Our Business program to deliver culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal people with disability.  

“We’re backing NSW businesses with grants and mentoring to help them scale-up and deliver new services for the NDIS and we want more Aboriginal businesses involved,” she said. 

Ms Tuckerman welcomed the funding as vitally important for Aboriginal businesses to participate as they are best placed to deliver culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal people with disability. 

“The grant funding will help Education Services International Supply Group establish the ‘Deadly Engagement’ program that will provide one-on-one support for Aboriginal young people with disability in their transition from school to work or further education,” Ms Tuckerman said. 

Educational Services International Director Bernadette Jones said the organisation would also use the funds to assist Aboriginal people with disability engage in community education or work.   

“We will focus on each individual’s NDIS needs and wrap support and services around them,” she said. 

“We aim to ensure that each Aboriginal client has the best opportunity to succeed in learning; in connecting socially with their communities; and in work and life in general.” 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills John Barilaro said the Making It Our Business program is part of the $19 million Disability Sector Scale-Up (DSSU) that’s designed to assist businesses and communities maximise benefits from the NDIS rollout. 

“The NDIS has the potential to double the size of the disability support sector in NSW from around $3.4 billion to $6.8 billion over the coming years,” he said. 

Minister for Disability Services Ray Williams said the Making It Our Business grants ensure that Aboriginal organisations operating in the disability space have the necessary resources