At the COAG meeting and in the days following, agreement was reached to trial the NDIS in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT. To begin defining the design of NDIS, consultation will commence in late August with people with a disability, their families and carers, the workforce, disability sector and peak bodies. More information about the consultation process will be circulated when it becomes available. This consultation will form the basis of a more detailed discussion around the NDIS eligibility at the next COAG meeting in December this year.
Vision 2020 Australia staff, David Foran and Belinda Cerritelli, are in the process of arranging times to meet with members of the Low Vision and Rehabilitation Committee (LVRC) to talk through the recently drafted Advocacy Plan and seek feedback. This follows discussion at the Committee meeting held on 6 June around identifying key advocacy priorities and the subsequent circulation of draft key position statements.
Advocacy efforts continue to focus on ensuring that the services and supports required by those who are blind or vision impaired are met within the NDIS. The LVRC was fortunate to hear from Ray Jeffrey, Branch Manager, National Disability Insurance Scheme Design and Engagement, Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs who provided an update on the NDIS.