REDLANDERS with disability, their families, carers and disability service providers have come together to call for urgent changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Every Australian Counts NDIS Make it Work forum at Redland Performing Arts Centre Cleveland is one of many held across Australia to highlight ongoing issues with the NDIS and to call on political leaders for urgent reform.
The forum - held on Wednesday, September 25 - brought together key stakeholders to take part in a panel to discuss what is working with the NDIS and where the scheme is falling down.
Panelists included Marathon Wheeler author Heather Coombs and Every Australian Counts spokesperson Peter Tully.
Every Australian Counts spokesperson Kirsten Deane said while the NDIS was transforming the lives of some, it was not working well for everyone.
"When the NDIS works well we see the amazing difference it can make to people's lives," Ms Deane said.
"But too many people are missing out on the benefits the NDIS can deliver. The system is too bureaucratic and too hard for people and providers to navigate. People are missing out and falling through the cracks.
"People with disability and their families fought hard for the introduction of the NDIS. We all want it work. These problems have to be fixed so people can finally get the support they so desperately need.
"We've invited all local MPs along to the forum so they can hear directly from their local community about what's working with the NDIS and what isn't, and what needs to be done to fix it.
"We want MPs to take their ideas back to Canberra and make sure people with disability finally get the NDIS they want and deserve."
