SENATOR THE HON. MITCH FIFIELD
ANDREW NIKOLIC AM CSC MP
MEMBER FOR BASS
The Abbott Government has today unveiled a new initiative to help people with disability access advocacy services.
The Member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic, and Senator Mitch Fifield, the Assistant Minister for Social Services, today visited a disability advocacy service in Launceston to launch the NDAP Provider Finder.
“The Commonwealth funds organisations to provide advocacy services to people with disability under the National Disability Advocacy Programme (NDAP),” Minister Fifield said.
“NDAP gives Australians with disability access to disability advocacy services that work to promote their rights and improve their ability to participate in the community.”
Andrew Nikolic said the NDAP Provider Finder is an online resource that will assist people with disability find the right person to help them access the supports they need.
“The Provider Finder is quick and easy to use, and allows searching by location or by type of advocacy service,” Mr Nikolic said.
“The Finder displays details on each advocacy service, as well as their service location, and directions to find them.”
Minister Fifield and Andrew Nikolic visited the Speak Out Launceston’s stall at the Carers Fair in Launceston to meet with staff and launch the Provider Finder.
“It’s so important that people with disability in Launceston and across Northern Tasmania can access advocacy services to help them get the support they need,” Mr Nikolic said.
“As the NDIS rolls out in Tasmania, NDAP providers will continue to assist people with disability to participate in decisions that impact their lives, including helping them access both the NDIS and mainstream services,” Mr Nikolic said.
Minister Fifield said more than 11,500 people received support through NDAP in 2013-14.
“The 59 NDAP agencies across Australia ensure there are advocates located in every state and territory, and there are different kinds of advocacy available depending on individual circumstances,” Minister Fifield said.
Mr Nikolic and Minister Fifield encouraged people with disability and their families to visit www.dss.gov.au/NDAPfinder to try out the NDAP Provider Finder.
Media contact for Minister Fifield: Lydia Paterson | 0409 792 081 | lydia.paterson@dss.gov.au
Media contact for Andrew Nikolic MP: Julian Burgess | 0419 750 286 | julian.burgess@aph.gov.au