Through a range of initiatives during 2020/21 NDS has supported our members, strengthened the WA disability services sector and delivered better outcomes for people with disability across Western Australia.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic still present in the disability sector, the role of NDS has never been more important in supporting our members, people with disability and their families across our vast state.

We have advocated for sound policies, ensuring the sector is funded and supported, promoting the value of a diverse, sustainable and mission-driven sector and maintaining a local and national focus on disability issues.

We have worked closely with the NDIA, Department of Communities and other mainstream government agencies that provide critical services in support of people with disability including the Departments of the Premier and Cabinet, Public Sector Commission, Treasury, Finance, Training and Workforce Development, Housing, Transport, Health, Child Protection, Mental Health Commission and Education.

Our members have been directly involved in providing input and policy advice on a range of issues through our NDS subcommittees. NDS in WA supports committees on access and inclusion, clinical and allied health, employment, finance and sustainability, housing and home living and workforce.

We have continued communities of practice in quality and safeguarding and training and have facilitated the development of a peer-to-peer network for small to medium specialist disability service providers. NDS in WA also supports CORDS – the Council of Regional Disability Service organisations.

Partnership is a guiding principle for NDS to ensure a vibrant and sustainable WA disability services sector that supports people with disability and specialist disability service providers. NDS in WA is fortunate to receive a range of grants from State and Commonwealth Governments and Lotterywest. We could not do our important project work supporting social and economic inclusion without this funding support.