Australia — The State Government and the Bedford Foundation yesterday announced $5 million each for the Homes for 100 project aimed at providing training, employment and supported housing for people with disabilities. Bedford chief executive Max Kyason said he approached the state's Affordable Housing Innovations Unit with the plan. "Our challenge is to raise much-needed funds to turn our Homes for 100 dream into a reality," he said. Premier Mike Rann said there was increasing demand for supported accommodation places in homes in the community. "We know that families want certainty that there will be a place for their son or daughter with a disability when they can no longer be cared for at home," he said. The funding boost comes in the wake of high-profile lobby group Dignity for Disabled enlisting candidates to take on the State's most marginal electorates in the March 18 election. The group's decision to stand follows what spokesman David Holst described as "negligible" support for the disabled in the State Budget. Parent advocate Jayne Lehmann, who is not associated with Dignity for Disabled, said she was "relieved" the disability lobby was finally making inroads into shaping political decisions. "As long as its new money, it sounds like a big step forward," she said last night. "From my point of view it gives me hope that the future of Sarah (aged 12) will be assured so she can continue to develop her life away from us as well. "The work that lots of people have been doing over the last two years to highlight the needs of people affected with disability is starting to potentially come to fruition." The Government said it would also provide: $3.5 MILLION for equipment for children and adults with disabilities. $1 MILLION for the Richard Llewellyyn Arts and Disability Trust Fund. $1 MILLION for children in state care with disabilities. $1 MILLION for community groups and respite services. Disability Minister Jay Weatherill said the South Australian Strategic Plan aimed to increase community-based supported accommodation options. He said more than 100 supported accommodation places had already been created. "But we know many families are still waiting and, through innovative partnerships like this, we hope to increase the supply of places in the community," Mr Weatherill said. Source Sunday Mail (SA), 19 February 2006 ###