NDIS opens doors for young friends
TWO young friends find a house and move in together.
It sounds unremarkable, but not for Alice and Sarah who thought they would always live with their parents until a four-letter acronym changed their world.
The NDIS has made it possible for people like Alice and Sarah to go places and do things they never thought possible until now.
The scheme, which rolled out in the Toowoomba region earlier this year, gives people with a disability unprecedented choice and control over how, when and where they access support and services.
Along with in-home support, the NDIS will fund reasonable and necessary support that helps people achieve their goals such as therapies, equipment, home modifications, mobility equipment, taking part in community activities or assistance with employment.
Alice and Sarah are seeking funding under the scheme to employ support workers at YellowBridge QLD to help them live independently.
It is a huge change for the close friends and they are thrilled with the prospect of finally moving out of home and into their own place.
YellowBridge QLD general manager disability services Jodie Collins said the NDIS was already delivering profound benefits for other clients too.
“We have another client who can choose his support workers based on what’s right for him,” she said.
“He’s got this vibrant social life and is able to enjoy being part of his community and all the opportunities for interaction and friendship it offers.
“Then there is Scott, who is working in our boutique op-shop because he now has the means to have a support worker with him.
“The NDIS is making a real difference for many of our clients and it is wonderful to see.”
Client names have been changed for privacy.