House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Disability Services DISABILITY SERVICES The Hon. J.D. HILL House of Assembly Kaurna DISABILITY SERVICES The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Disabilities. Can the minister advise how the Spastic Centres of South Australia and the government are working together to improve the lives of people with disabilities? Mr Marshall House of Assembly Mr Marshall: SCOSA. The Hon. A. PICCOLO House of Assembly Light Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion Minister for Social Housing Minister for Disabilities Minister for Youth Minister for Volunteers The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:59): The Spastic Centres of South Australia or, as the Leader of the Opposition says, SCOSA, is one of the most important non-government agencies in our state. They provide a range of services and support for people with disabilities. In addition, SCOSA has a well-held tradition of developing and promoting the potential of people with disabilities through individual choice, community inclusion and meaningful participation. SCOSA predominantly provides services to client groups with very high needs that require more intensive support than other day option services. This includes significant intellectual and physical disability and also a number of clients with very high health needs. Like many non-government service providers, SCOSA started from very humble beginnings, with a small group of parents in the western suburbs in 1950 unifying together to seek a better future for their intellectually disabled children. Today, SCOSA has grown to be the second-largest provider of day activity-based services in South Australia and currently provides services to approximately 360 clients. The government currently provides SCOSA with annual grant funding of approximately $3.8 million for learning and life skill option programs and a further $2.8 million for participants who have an individualised day options allocation. SCOSA also makes a significant direct contribution with fund raising to their overall client service delivery. A large portion of their funding contributes to the day-to-day running of SCOSA hubs, which support up to 350 clients each weekday. Last Wednesday, I was fortunate enough to be invited to observe the SCOSA patron—our state Governor—officially opening the newest SCOSA hub in the north-eastern suburbs at Wynn Vale. I also had the pleasure of being given a tour of the new facility by SCOSA CEO Nicole Graham, President Joanna Churchill, and also Ms Helena Gordon, who is one of the clients who will enjoy its benefits. The new Wynn Vale hub features a state-of-the-art sensory room, which provides clients with the opportunity to explore and develop their senses and skills. There are 12 other hubs located throughout South Australia at Elizabeth Park, Gilles Plains, Newton, West Croydon, Thebarton, Mitcham, Hackham, Plympton, Woodville, Port Pirie, Blyth and, in my own electorate of Light, at Willaston. I would like to acknowledge the great work that the workers do. I would encourage members to organise a tour of their closest hub to learn more about how we can actually create a better standard of living for people with an intellectual disability. I wish to congratulate SCOSA on the opening of their latest hub at Wynn Vale and for their invaluable commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities in South Australia.