Free Information Sessions are to be held in the Mossman, Port Douglas and Cooktown for locals who currently receive disability support and those who will be brought into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Information Sessions will be held on Monday 11 January at the Port Douglas Community Hall at 11am; Tuesday 12 January at the Mossman Bowls Club at 9am and the Wellbeing Centre, Mossman Gorge at 4pm; 14 January at Cooktown PCYC at 11am; and there will be a stall at the Mossman Markets on Saturday 16 January from 7am to 11am.

Support for people with disabilities and their families will change dramatically with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, due to be rolled out in Far North Queensland sometime within the next three years.

“It is vital that people who need support and/or equipment to lead a meaningful and comfortable life learn about the new system of funding,” Ms Nicola Falstein, Douglas Shire Community Services Association’s Lifestyle Support Services Coordinator said.

“The Douglas Shire Community Services Association is hosting several Information Sessions to explain the basics and to help people prepare,” she said.

“What is important is that people need to ‘pre-plan’, working through what they see will meet their desires and aspirations to live a better life with their disability,” she said, “and this is a service we will provide to individuals free of charge starting January this year.”

The new system is expected to help the 45,000 Queenslanders now receiving support and thousands of others with permanent disabilities who are currently not registered with Disability Services.

“We expect to almost double our client list once the NDIS is established,” Ms Falstein said, “and we are gearing up to not only provide more services but add to our current range of support.”

The NDIS will give individuals greater choice and control over the services they receive and aims to enable more active community participation and employment.

“We are excited about this new innovation in disability support but know that unless providers and individuals wanting to access support are prepared, then the NDIS’s introduction will not deliver the best outcomes for all,” Ms Falstein said.

For bookings, phone Ms Nicola Falstein on 07 4098 2836 or 0407 043 106