The South Australian Government’s continued failure to fund independent disability advocacy services in the Budget will make it even harder for our state to adjust to huge cuts to the NDIS, says disability organisation JFA Purple Orange.
“With thousands of South Australians to lose access to the NDIS and many more to have their funding for essential supports reduced, independent disability advocacy services are needed more than ever,” Belle Owen, Interim Strategy Leader at JFA Purple Orange, said.
According to Ms Owen, independent disability advocacy services will be “a lifeline amid the chaos”, enabling people with disability to navigate and access alternative mainstream services and planned Foundational Supports.
“With such significant upheaval coming for the lives of so many South Australians – and state-based services already under pressure – having highly-skilled independent advocates who can support people to navigate these systems will be crucial,” Ms Owen said.
The organisation is calling for a modest State Government investment of $3.5 million per year for four years for independent disability advocacy services as a cost-effective way to help mitigate the consequences of the NDIS cuts.
Even without the cuts, there are real human consequences when people with disability experience barriers to accessing fundamental services like housing and healthcare, Ms Owen says.
“At best, people experience worse outcomes due to delays, and costs are simply shifted from one service system to another.
“At worst, people are left without a safe place to live, without essential supports for daily living and personal hygiene, and without access to critical, or even basic, healthcare. It’s not an exaggeration to say people’s lives are put at risk.”
State Government investment in independent disability advocacy services will also deliver significant economic benefits for the state: a 2017 cost-benefit analysis commissioned by Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) estimated a $3.50 economic return for every dollar spent on independent disability advocacy services.
“It seems the NDIS reforms are coming to South Australia whether we like it or not – now is the time for the State Government to proactively fund programs that will make the transition as safe as possible for South Australians with disability – and independent disability advocacy will deliver the biggest bang for our buck,” Ms Owen added.
Budget misses opportunity to achieve commitments to people with disability
JFA Purple Orange welcomes several Budget initiatives including funding to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence and the expansion of the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) to better support people in the regions to access healthcare.
However, Ms Owen said the Budget has also missed another opportunity to make the critical investments required to achieve the State’s commitments outlined in the updated State Disability Inclusion Plan released last year, as well as under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.
“Major reforms are happening across multiple areas of policy simultaneously and all of these will require mainstream systems and services to step up in how they meet the needs of South Australians with disability,” Ms Owen said.
“We must move from good intentions to real actions. This means funding to ensure our society becomes fully accessible, includes everyone on an equal basis, and ends the discrimination, segregation, exclusion, and abuse of people with disability that continues despite the Disability Royal Commission’s findings.
“Without targeted investment, clear policy direction, and strong leadership, existing gaps will widen, unmet need will increase, and the rights, safety, and inclusion of South Australians with disability will be set back further.”
About JFA Purple Orange
JFA Purple Orange is a purpose-led organisation working towards a more inclusive world where people with disability have access to the same opportunities as everyone else.
Our work is grounded in lived experience and focuses on systemic advocacy, co-designed projects and peer networks, training and consulting, as well as a small grants program.
We connect people with disability to good information and to each other, and collaborate with stakeholders to influence policy and practice that fosters genuine inclusion.
-ends-
Further information: Marissa Brown – Leader, Marketing and Communications
Julia Farr group (including JFA Purple Orange, inhousing, Stretchy Tech and JFM Fund)
Tel: 08 8373 8367
Email: media@juliafarr.org.au