Nationals Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie will this week address a forum on the recently launched DisabilityCare Australia.
Senator McKenzie is a member of the joint select committee on DisabilityCare Australia, otherwise known as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The scheme has commenced in trial sites across the country, including the Barwon region in Victoria.
‘‘The forum, which is hosted by BrainLink, will be a great opportunity to discuss what DisabilityCare will mean for regional Victorians,’’ she said.
Senator McKenzie said regional Australians with a disability were particularly disadvantaged when it came to accessing appropriate services.
BrainLink is a Victorian-based service which offers education support programs, respite care, case management, resources and referral services for people with acquired brain disorders including head injuries, brain tumours and progressive neurological diseases.
BrainLink chief executive Sharon Strugnell said BrainLink strongly supported the introduction of DisabilityCare.
‘‘It will, as it eventually rolls out, have the potential to remove many of the inequities and inefficiencies of the current system and to substantially improve the quality of life of people with chronic illness and disability,’’ she said.
There is bipartisan support for a national disability insurance scheme.
Date: Wednesday July 24
Time: 12-2pm
Where: Training Room Golden City Support Services
Level 2, 48 Mundy St Bendigo
Media contact: Kathleen Tonini mob: 0400530027