PEOPLE with a disability are calling on Calare candidates in the federal election to hear their voice before the July 2 poll.
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According to National Disability Services (NDS), the peak body for non-government disability services, Calare has 3000 residents who will be eligible for services funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The NDIS is a healthcare program which supports people with permanent or significant disabilities.
They, their families and the organisations that support them are now looking for clear signs from their local candidates they would be strong advocates for disability services in parliament.
Kevin McGuire, General Manager at Wangarang Industries, said that the NDIS would benefit disabled people while helping to stimulate the economy.
"The NDIS is good social policy because it will increase services and choices for people with disability. It's also good economic policy because it will create jobs and boost the local economy" he said.
"We want to let the candidates know that people within the disabled community, along with their family and care givers, will be relying on whoever gets elected in July to uphold and continue to support these people.
"The disability sector is facing a number of challenges and to successfully meet them we need strong support from the government".
NDIS's data indicates that when fully implemented in Calare, the NDIS will create 570 new full-time-equivalent jobs in disability services, and boost the local economy by spending $108 million on disability supports, equipment and other services.
Mr McGuire said that housing and staffing were the major issues facing people with a disability in the electorate.
"The first major issue we face is finding suitable housing," he said.
"It's up to the government to ensure that everybody receives the same standard of care and living heading into the future.”
Mr McGuire remained optimistic about the future as the roll out of the NDIS enters its initial stages but called on candidates to stand up for people with a disability.
"I am encouraged by the support for the NDIS across political parties and the community,” he said.