LINGERING concerns over the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rollout have been raised during a public forum in Moree.
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Recipients, carers and providers were briefed on the government scheme, with answers still being sought on how it will work.
Disability support provider Northcott held the Moree forum last week to update the community on the NDIS, which rolls out in the region on July 1.
Northcott chief executive officer Kerry Stubbs said people were looking forward to the scheme, but that there was still some worry about the change.
“Because it is such a big change, there is still a lot of uncertainty and confusion,” Ms Stubbs said.
“If you’ve got a child with a disability, or you’re a person with a disability, you’ve usually had to fight really hard to get any services and you’re worried you might lose some in the change.
“But I think people are starting to wrap their head around how it will work.
“People need to be informed of how to get the best outcome for themselves,” she said.
Because it is such a big change, there is still a lot of uncertainty and confusion.
- Kerry Stubbs
Ms Stubbs said concerns had been raised about services for people living with disabilities in remote areas.
“In a place like Moree there is a large indigenous population which we know has a higher rate of disability,” she said.
“I know people are a bit worried in the rural areas that there aren’t enough service providers.
“If there is no one providing the services, how are you going to get them?”
Ms Stubbs said the NDIS rollout could potentially have a knock-on effect with employment.
“There might become jobs available with providers, new providers or people might start their own businesses. There is high unemployment here so I think overall this will be good for Moree.”
