A total of $519 million in extra Commonwealth and
State/Territory funding for unmet needs in disability services over
2000-01 and 2001-02 is already proving effective, according to a
study released today by the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare.
The study was commissioned by the National Disability
Administrators to examine the effects of the new funding and to
estimate the remaining unmet need for disability services.
The study shows that on a 'snapshot day' in 2001 an additional
900 people were receiving accommodation support services, an
additional 2,350 were receiving community support services and
2,425 additional people were receiving community access
services.
'We were asked to do this project so that there would be some
information on the table with respect to negotiations for the next
Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement' said the Head of
the AIHW's Disability Services Unit, Ms Ros Madden.
'As well as being able to put some numbers out, despite it being
early days yet in terms of funding effects, we have also had some
very positive comments back from people with disabilities and
organisations delivering the services.
'For example, one young man with multiple disabilities had lived
in 18 foster homes. Now, thanks to this extra funding, he is able
to live in his own home, and has found employment.'
Ms Madden warned, however, that unmet needs still existed.
'Our conservative estimates are that nationally 12,500 people
still need accommodation and respite services, 8,200 places are
needed in community access services, and 5,400 people need
employment support.
'As more services come on stream as a result of this funding,
the situation is expected to improve further.
'The States and Territories provided us with evidence, however,
that for every additional person being assisted, somewhere between
6 and 24 more people (depending on what State or Territory you are
in) are registering for services.
'In talking about the unmet needs of people with disabilities we
also need to talk about the unmet needs of carers, particularly
carers who are ageing themselves. This group was one of the
specific target groups for the 'unmet need' extra funding.
'Our study suggests that around 3,000 more carers aged over 65
have been assisted as a result, mostly with respite and similar
support services.
'But we also know that many more carers are wanting assistance,
in both the over-65 and under-65 age groups.
'We talked to a lot of carers through the course of this study
and it's hard not to be affected by their level of commitment and
what they had to say-a number of their statements are included in
the report.'
28 June 2002
Further information: Ms Ros Madden, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1189, or 0418 295 409
For media copies: Publications Officer, tel. 02
6244 1032, or check this website for a copy of the full
report.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.