About 900 City of Bayswater and Town of Bassendean residents are expected to benefit from the roll-out of the NDIS trial – a scheme that aims to give people with disabilities free access to equipment and services they need.
People with significant and permanent disabilities in the council areas of Chittering, Toodyay, Northam and York are also part of the trial, after the Perth Hills trial site expanded on January 1.
National Disability Insurance Agency engagement director Kerry Stopher said she expected about 900 people to enrol in the NDIS from Bayswater and Bassendean.
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READ NOW“Now about 600 or 700 people will already be connected to disability services in WA – they may not have the funding they need, but we will be easily able to contact them,” she said.
“It’s the people who we don’t know who we need to get out to, people who have never identified themselves as being eligible for a scheme like this, often people who’ve lost limbs, people who have mental health conditions that are significant and ongoing, often people from culturally and linguistically diverse or Aboriginal backgrounds.”
Ms Stopher said the agency created individualised plans by looking at people’s core needs, areas they might need funding for such as assistive technology and vehicle modifications, and life goals such as hobbies, employment or further education.
Ms Gee joined the NDIS while she was living in the Hills and has been able to take her disability support plan to her new home in Maylands.
Ms Gee’s goals include continuing daily walks with dog Mia, looking for volunteer work and maintaining her house with the help of a cleaner.
To be eligible for the scheme, you need to have a permanent and significant disability, be under 65 years of age, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa and live in the local governments of Bayswater, Bassendean, Chittering, Toodyay, Northam or York.
If you think you, a family member or friend are eligible for the NDIS go to ndis.gov.au, call 9235 7251 or email EngagementWA@ndis.gov. au.