QDN’s Peer Advocacy Project ends 30 June – having delivered to over 1,000 Queenslanders with Disability

Queensland’s transition to the NDIS officially concludes on 30 June 2019. The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors funded QDN from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 to deliver the NDIS Peer to Peer Advocacy project. Unfortunately, this project has not received any continued funding and QDN will cease the project as of Friday 27 June, 2019.

The NDIS Peer to Peer Advocacy Project has worked alongside over 1,000 people with disability and their supporters, to provide independent support and advocacy around their NDIS journey. This has included from beginning stages in helping people with information about the NDIS, making an access request, completing paperwork, gathering evidence, going to doctors’ appointments, speaking with NDIS National Access Team, through to preparing for NDIS planning meetings, and support at the actual NDIS planning meeting.

Through this work, QDN has also worked with people who had their first NDIS access request not approved, and worked with them to gather the evidence about their functional impacts and lifelong disability. Click here to watch a short video about the Peer to Peer Advocacy Project. Some feedback from participants and workers in the sector:

 “I am writing you this email to thank you for all the hard work you have put in with both [name deleted] and [name deleted]. The support you gave them has been priceless for preparing them for their planning meetings.”  (Sector worker)

“My son and I cannot speak highly enough of the QDN project officer and the help she has given us in such a challenging time in applying for the NDIS, and her support especially at the planning meeting” (Peer to Peer Project Participant and Supporter)

We acknowledge the Department for funding this critical work for one year, and QDN will continue to raise the ongoing need for this work and this approach, especially for people who experience additional challenges in accessing the NDIS.

From 1 July 2019, if people would like assistance in accessing the NDIS we encourage you to contact your Partners in the Community who include Local Area Co-ordinator (LAC) or Early Childhood Early Intervention Provider or directly contact the NDIA.

To find your Local Area Co-ordinator (LAC) and Early Childhood, Early Intervention (ECEI)

• Click on this link or go to ndis.gov.au/contact/locations. You can search by postcode for your nearest or preferred LAC and ECEI and you will find their address and phone number. You can ask your LAC and ECEI about the supports available in your community, even if you are not eligible for an NDIS support plan.

To contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

• Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or go to their website www.ndis.gov.au/participants.  The NDIA provides information and referrals, links to services and activities, individualised plans and where necessary, funded supports to people over a lifetime.

As always, we encourage members to keep up to date with QDN news, views and the latest policy information on our website and Facebook page.  You can also call us on 1800 363 783.