A group representing Australia’s largest disability service providers has welcomed the announcement to support people with disability and the disability services sector with a targeted Covid-19 response package.
Alliance20 spokesperson, Rob White, Chief Executive of Cerebral Palsy Alliance said, “together with people with disability, other service organisations and advocates, Alliance20 has been working with government to develop a plan to ensure that people with disability continue to receive essential supports through this unprecedented crisis.”
Many of the people supported by Alliance20 organisations have complex health needs, so it is imperative that they have specific protections from the effects of coronavirus. Consequently, we particularly acknowledge the collaboration between state and territory authorities to reach out to people who are at high risk and to ensure they receive the ongoing supports they need.
Alliance20 welcomes the financial support for disability service providers to allow them to meet immediate demands. Providers are taking urgent and practical actions to ensure the continuity of supports for people with disability at this time. These measures have resource impacts, especially in relation to staffing needs. We cannot do this alone, so we acknowledge the measures announced today.
We also welcome the measures to extend participant plans by up to two years to allow the National Disability Insurance Agency and others to concentrate on priority supports at this time.
It is important that these and future measures address the needs of all sections of the disability sector. Our sector is approaching the finalisation of the implementation of the NDIS and support measures at this time must continue to build on the positive momentum in our community today and avoid negative consequences.
Alliance20 members will continue to work with government, especially in securing access to much needed personal protective equipment. To this end, we acknowledge the government’s commitment to make further announcements over time.
Media contact: Leanne Budd: 0436 609 250
About Alliance20:
Alliance20 collectively supports around 75,000 people with disability in every state and territory and has over 30,000 staff working directly in disability services.
Alliance20 represents major disability services providers including The Benevolent Society, Life Without Barriers, Endeavour Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Aruma.
Alliance20 Members:
- Achieve Australia
- Aruma
- Australian Unity
- Bedford
- The Benevolent Society
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance
- Challenge Community Services
- Disability services Australia
- Endeavour Foundation
- Life Without Barriers
- Lifestyle Solutions
- Melbourne City Mission
- Mind Australia
- Minda
- Novita
- Oak Possability
- Rise
- Sommerville
- Southern Cross Support Services
- Sunnyfield
- Sylvanvale
