NSW — NSW
Premier Morris Iemma has announced a $1 billion,
five-year plan to overhaul disability services.
Under the biggest increase in
disability funding in NSW history, $83 million will be
spent on early intervention and therapy services for
disabled children.
An extra 1,260 respite care places
will be created to give families a break from caring for
disabled loved ones.
There also will be an extra 1,000
supported accommodation places and 320 new intensive
in-home support places.
A special nursing home for young
disabled people will be opened and people with
disabilities will be able to take part in community
participation programs four or five days a week - up from
three days.
Mr Iemma tonight said the package
delivered on his promise to improve services for the
disabled, made when he became premier last
August.
"This is a generous and
comprehensive package," he told the Sydney Institute.
"For the first time, it puts disability services where
they should be: at the top of our policy agenda."
