A series of seminars aimed at both demystifying the National Disability Insurance Scheme and explaining some of the services available will be held around the Wagga region.
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Advocacy agency My Choice Matters, which is a project of the New South Wales Council for Intellectual Disability, is holding the seminars during August and September.
Lynn Hudson, who facilitates the seminars, travels around NSW explaining to people with a disability, parents and carers how the NDIS will work, as well as how to get the best out of the new scheme.
“I’m trying to make people not feel as terrified of this big change,” Ms Hudson said.
Ms Hudson said her travels had shown her first-hand the benefits people had by being better informed about the NDIS, as they were able to make confident choices about what they needed.
“We give people the chance to really think about their lives and the things that are important to them as individuals, rather than just what is ‘on offer’.
“They start considering hopes and dreams that they had put to the side due to a lack of opportunities. People leave the workshops feeling they have a practical starting point and that they know how to move forward towards a good life.”
Ms Hudson said the second part of the seminar will help people set personal goals for getting the most out of the NDIS.
“The NDIS will completely shift the way disability support is provided across Australia,” she said.
“People will have an opportunity to receive individualised support and funding, which is a significant change from the current system.
“However, in order to take full advantage of the NDIS, people with disability, their family members and carers will need to think in advance and prepare for their planning meetings.
“Our goal is to help people learn and practice new ways of doing things and develop and grow skills in three key areas: choice, voice and control – three very important qualities people should have in their own lives.”
The Wagga seminar will be held at the RSL Club on September 19.
A similar event will be held at the Gundagai District Services Club on Tuesday, August 22, and at Tumbarumba Motel on Wednesday, August 30.
To register for a workshop, visit the events page at www.mychoicematters.org.au or call 1800 144 653.
