The NDS WA Pre-Budget Submission is the policy centrepiece for state-level disability advocacy developed in consultation with NDS members and sector stakeholders. It highlights priorities and outlines required actions essential to improving the lives of people with disability and their families.

NDS officially launched and presented the WA 2019-20 Pre-Budget Submission (PBS) to the Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Disability Services on Monday 22 October 2018.

This year’s PBS highlights the very important role of market stewardship in relation to the both the NDIS and the National Disability Strategy. It identifies three areas that will be critical in guiding the State Government’s attention and future investment in disability:

• Developing and funding a State Disability Plan;
• Making the NDIS work in WA; and
• Reinvigorating the National Disability Strategy to drive better economic and social participation outcomes for people with disability in our community.

NDS is highly committed to strengthening our partnership approach with the McGowan Government and working together with people with disability, their families and carers to maximise every opportunity to deliver high-quality services and support for people with disability to live the lives they choose.

The PBS is about delivering good lives to all people with disability in WA as well as building a successful, vibrant and diverse disability community services sector that can deliver quality supports and services.

NDS acknowledges the important participation of members in informing and shaping the priorities and recommendations contained in this year’s PBS. In particular, thank you to the NDS WA State Committee and six Sub-Committees who have generously tested, reflected and refined the priorities and recommendations.

Our Pre-Budget Submission is supported by the following video testimonials:

Melissa Northcott: Melissa is an advocate for people with disability. She speaks on the importance of access and inclusion via the ACROD parking and Companion Card programs

Watch Melissa's video here

Bernadette Williams: Bernadette is the Coordinator for Respite Services at Ability Centre. Drawing on many years experience in the disability sector, she speaks about the importance of a capable, quality workforce in the delivery of support services for people with disability

Watch Bernadette's video here

Liam Dow-Hall: Liam speaks about the importance of employment and how his permanent part-time job at the RAC has allowed him to take out a mortgage and given him independence

Watch Liam's video here