Elsie Lange
Participants of Sunbury’s Distinctive Options, an organisation supporting people with disability, took part in a national campaign to fight to ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is protected.
On Thursday, April 28, they joined people from all over Australia to advocate for the NDIS and make their voices heard.
During the current federal election campaign, Australians are hearing a lot about the NDIS – stories of inexplicable funding cuts, or an inability to access the program.
When Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “blessed” not to have had children with disabilities during a debate earlier this month, many said that was because the system designed to support people and families with disability was so hard to navigate.
He apologised, but it’s still at the forefront of peoples’ minds, and has arguably become an important election issue.
Distinctive Options took part in the day organised by Every Australian Counts by holding a sausage sizzle, dressing up in red and inviting the community to meet those supported by NDIS to understand why it’s vital.
According to Every Australian Counts, a campaign which fought for the introduction of the NDIS, it is an important time to make sure politicians take action to deliver the scheme as it was promised.
Participants from distinctive options explained why they wanted to support the campaign to protect NDIS.
Hannah said she wants to be able to continue attending programs and receiving support from Distinctive Options, so she can be with her friends and support staff.
“I want to continue receiving NDIS funds to keep up my speech therapy,” Laura, another participant said.
