Werribee’s Yingchao Fu-Thomas knows all too well how important the National Disability Insurance Scheme is to carers.
Mrs Fu-Thomas works as a support carer at Karingal, an organisation which provides services for people with a disability.
Last Friday Mrs Fu-Thomas hosted a DisabiliTea event to rally support and call on the federal government to roll out the scheme, which will change how disability services are funded, across Victoria.
Earlier this year the federal government announced the NIDS would be trialled in Geelong with state government support.
But Mrs Fu-Thomas said the scheme needed to be introduced statewide.
“The scheme will have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their carers,” she said.
“We need to raise awareness of the importance of the NDIS and get support.”
Hobsons Bay NDIS advocate Milly Parker said it was important the federal government pledged its commitment to funding the scheme, expected to cost $15 billion a year when implemented.
“The NDIS is the greatest social policy initiative since Medicare . . . but it won’t work unless it’s fully-funded.
“Disability is increasing and the government needs a scheme to support Australian’s living with disability. The NDIS is the government’s answer, all they need to do is fund it.”
—Laura Little
