INVESTMENT IN DISABILITY SERVICES REAPS REWARDS

The 2008 Report on Government Services (ROGS) released today has demonstrated the value of the ACT Government’s continual investment in disability services.

Minister for Disability and Community Services, Katy Gallagher said it was pleasing that ROGS recorded superior performance in the ACT on a number of indices.

She said the report shows, for example that people with a disability living in the ACT have:

§ the highest labour force participation rate;

§ the second highest employment rate; and

§ the highest education levels as measured by the proportion holding a bachelor degree, completing a diploma or certificate course, as well as completing year 11 or 12.

Since 2001, the ACT Labor Government has consistently increased funding to disability services. The most recent Territory budget included an additional $15.8 million over four years to provide services to disabled people and the families.

“Overall, the ACT’s expenditure per user of all CSTDA State and Territory administered services was lower than the national average at $23,325 per user as opposed to $23,962 nationally.”

“However, because we are a small jurisdiction our accommodation services are on average, more expensive than other jurisdictions,” Ms Gallagher said. “For example, the ACT reported $156,754 expenditure per service user for accommodation support in group homes. Nationally the average expenditure was $106,671 per user.

“The ACT confronts a number of unique cost pressures, including a relatively high wage structure, lack of a rural population to offset the cost of the urban population and a high percentage of clients with profound and severe disability.”

Ms Gallagher said the benefits of a person-centred delivery model for people with disabilities are many. “A person-centred approach provides greater independence and empowerment, opportunities to participate in the community and a better quality of life than those living in institutionalised arrangements.

“While larger institutions can yield cost benefits, this is also at the cost of higher risk to safety of staff and clients.”