Page 3912 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 29 October 2013
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to improve an individual’s quality of life. It can be used for aids, equipment and access to training or community access. The third was flexible supports and service grants of up to $12,000.
Of the 1,300-plus applicants in round one, 740 offers have been issued. In addition, 64 school leavers with complex needs who did not need to apply as they were identified as a priority group have also been offered grants to purchase additional supports and services. In total, over 800 have been offered first-round enhanced service offer grants, and in this first round we have allocated over $4 million—indeed, $4.3 million. Each of the applicants has now been advised whether they have been offered a grant or not, and the successful applicants have also had letters that specify the purpose of the grant and the amount offered.
Applicants in round one who have not been offered a grant will be prioritised in round two over people who have received a grant in round one. Before putting in an application for the second round, unsuccessful applicants have been encouraged to refer to the enhanced service offer application guide and to ask someone to review their application and attend one of the information sessions or supported computer workshops at which they can have assistance to complete their application online or to make contact with an individual planner to talk about their request and application.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, could you outline some of the innovative ways users have expressed their desire to utilise their grants in round one?
MS BURCH: Indeed there has been quite a range of grants provided. One of the most significant changes the NDIS brings in is the ability for individuals to plan for and participate in the life they choose. This means that we need to be flexible in our thinking and in our approach. I am confident that the ESOs provide an opportunity for us to work with individuals on meeting their needs and supporting their ambitions.
I have been encouraged to hear some of the innovative ways in which people have applied for an enhanced service offer. Grants have been offered to applicants to take part on a regular basis in all manner of sporting and recreational activities. These include singing, dancing, swimming, horse riding, drumming, netball, scouts, tennis and gymnastics, as well as to attend mainstream school holiday programs.
In looking for opportunities to be independent and build skills there were a number of requests for things which support general living skills, vocational development and employment opportunities—from cooking lessons, courses to build numeracy and literacy, support to undertake driving lessons, support to start a small jewellery-making business and support for employment opportunities, to taking on volunteering roles.
We have received an application from a person with severe hearing loss who is dependent on hearing aids to take part in all aspects of his life. The applicant is extremely passionate about water sports, particularly swimming and sailing. However, without waterproof hearing aids he is not able to take part in these activities without a complete loss of hearing. Now, thanks to the approval of a grant under the ESO, the
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