Answers to Questions

DISABILITY SERVICES

24 Mr HANNA (Mitchell) (30 September 2008).

1. How many people are currently on the 'Options' unmet needs register and how long they have been on this register?

2. How many people are currently on the 'Options' waiting list and how long they have been on this list?

3. How will the new information service through Disability SA be funded and how can this new service provide specific information for each disability?

4. Where will the knowledge of specific disabilities come from if organisations are being defunded without notice?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability): I provide the following information:

As part of the South Australian Government's Reforms, Disability SA was established in 2006 and comprises the former Intellectual Disability Services Council, the Julia Farr Services, the Adult Physical and Neurological Disability Options Coordination and Brain Injury Options Coordination agencies.

The unmet needs data systems from the above agencies were merged and a process for identifying those people most in need was developed.

A person's priority forms the waiting lists for services. The list is not a 'wait in turn' system and therefore the list will fluctuate. As a part of negotiations for a new Disability Agreement, States and Territories have agreed to work with the Commonwealth Government on developing a nationally consistent approach to measuring unmet needs, including supported accommodation.

Due to increased demand for services, funding of $679,693 was redirected from some non-government agencies providing information and advocacy services to accommodation, day options and respite services.

As part of Disability SA's reform processes, a single, unified information and referral system is being established. A Steering Committee with representatives from the Department for Families and Communities (DFC) and the former Association of Non-Government Organisations of SA (ANGOSA now called Disability Alliance) and National Disability Services (NDS) has been formed to guide the improvement of information and referral services.

People with a disability can now seek information or make a referral via a much simpler system based on a centralised contact system including a 1300 phone number to receive enquiries and referrals. An increased range of information sheets on a broad range of disability types are available from Disability SA offices throughout South Australia or via free download from the website at www.disability.sa.gov.au (Current figures on unmet need are also available on this website).

Work on the promotion of the new information service has begun and is continuing to be refined, particularly to those who are socially or geographically isolated, so that all key stakeholders know how to obtain information or make a referral.

This supports the South Australian Government's principle of 'Ask Just Once' incorporating increased information rather than duplication of effort supporting many sources of information.