Toowoomba people with disability get ready for the NDIS

PEOPLE with disability in Toowoomba are being urged to attend local forums in October in preparation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout.

PEOPLE with disability in Toowoomba are being urged to attend local forums in October to start getting ready for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will roll out in Queensland from mid next year.

The Palaszczuk Government has allocated an extra $1.7 million for nine community organisations to continue a range of activities across the state to help Queenslanders prepare for the NDIS.

"The NDIS is the biggest social reform since Medicare was introduced 40 years ago, and it's essential that people in Toowoomba are prepared for this major change," Minister for Disability Services the Hon Coralee O'Rourke said.

"We have been working hard with the disability sector to provide readiness activities that make sure people with disabilities, their families, carers, the sector and the community are prepared." Minister O'Rourke said.

"These activities were originally scheduled to end in December but I am delighted we have allocated an extra $1.7 million to keep the activities running until June next year."

Minister O'Rourke said an online calendar connected Queenslanders with disability, their families and carers, businesses and providers with NDIS preparation events in their area.

"The NDIS offers many opportunities and we want Queenslanders with disability, their families and carers in Toowoomba to be well-placed to take advantage of them."

Some of the events planned in Toowoomba in October include:

• Finding My Place forum, which will share stories by and about people with disabilities who have taken their place in their community - October 10 at 9:30am at the Empire Theatre
• Plan Ahead Toowoomba Workshop Part 1 & 2, for people with intellectual or learning disability - October 6 to 13 at 10am at Assert Services Toowoomba

Minister O'Rourke said the forums, workshops and activities provided people with disability the chance to start thinking about how they wanted to live their lives now and into the future.

"The NDIS will benefit thousands of Queenslanders with disability, by enabling greater choice and control over how they live their lives," she said.

"Attending one of these readiness forums is a great first step for people to get ready."

To find out about events to be held in your area, go to www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis

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Originally published as Toowoomba people with disability get ready for the NDIS