Fact Sheet: WA NDIS My Way The history of disability services in WA Western Australia has been at the forefront of disability service delivery in Australia for more than 25 years, well before the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Back in 1988, Western Australia pioneered an innovative disability service concept, the Local Area Coordination (LAC) program. LACs are now based throughout WA and use their local knowledge to help people with disability plan, organise and access the supports and services they need to live a good life in their local community. Evolving and growing After building up decades of practical experience with the LAC model, the State Government moved to the next stage in its disability reform agenda. My Way was launched in 2012 in consultation with more than 1300 people including those with disability, their families and carers, as well as the wider disability sector. It was rolled out in four areas across the State the Lower South West, Cockburn – and Kwinana, the Perth Hills area and the Goldfields. Person-centred approach As well as supporting people with disability to develop a plan, LACs work with family members and carers, helping them to further strengthen their caring role. In addition, LACs support local communities to become more inclusive and welcoming. This is achieved through education, partnerships with local community-based organisations, businesses and government departments. The LAC program is now nationally and internationally recognised as a successful model for disability services delivery. Why does WA have two different NDIS trials? WA NDIS My Way came about because the State Government wanted to ensure that our existing, highly
Fact Sheet: WA NDIS My Way The history of disability services in WA Western Australia has been at the forefront of disability service delivery in Australia for more than 25 years, well before the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Back in 1988, Western Australia pioneered an innovative disability service concept, the Local Area Coordination (LAC) program. LACs are now based throughout WA and use their local knowledge to help people with disability plan, organise and access the supports and services they need to live a good life in their local community. Evolving and growing After building up decades of practical experience with the LAC model, the State Government moved to the next stage in its disability reform agenda. My Way was launched in 2012 in consultation with more than 1300 people including those with disability, their families and carers, as well as the wider disability sector. It was rolled out in four areas across the State – the Lower South West, Cockburn and Kwinana, the Perth Hills area and the Goldfields. Person-centred approach As well as supporting people with disability to develop a plan, LACs work with family members and carers, helping them to further strengthen their caring role. In addition, LACs support local communities to become more inclusive and welcoming. This is achieved through education, partnerships with local community-based organisations, businesses and government departments. The LAC program is now nationally and internationally recognised as a successful model for disability services delivery. Why does WA have two different NDIS trials? WA NDIS My Way came about because the State Government wanted to ensure that our existing, highly
WA-NDIS-My-Way-fact-sheet-History-of-disability-services-in-WA-July2014.docx