In light of the Queensland federal government's announcement that it will restore the Taxi Aid Scheme (TSS) for NDIS participants, a nationwide advocacy body for people with physical disabilities is reigniting calls for the scheme to stay in place and be consistent throughout all jurisdictions.
Responding to issues that National Disability Insurance Plan individuals living in Queensland were not receiving sufficient support for their transportation needs, the Queensland government transferred to briefly reinstate the TSS on Saturday.In a joint statement the Queensland Minister for Main Roadways Mark Bailey and the Minister for Impairment Providers Coralee O'Rourke announced the federal government planned to reinstate the TSS for the rest of the NDIS shift duration over 2017-18 and 2018-19."Instead of handing the money over to the NDIA, the Queensland federal government has decided, and put to the Commonwealth, that the Department of Transportation and Main Roadways must continue to administer TSS for NDIS individuals, at least for the next two years,"Bailey stated."This will mean the funds are treated as an in-kind contribution to the NDIS.
This will be cost neutral to Queensland, but most significantly it will imply Queenslanders entering into the NDIS do not lose their TSS, and do not need to stress over getting to their visits, to visit their families and to obtain around the neighborhood or to their jobs."O'Rourke said the Queensland government had actually raised its
concerns that NDIS individuals would experience a deficiency in transportation provision with the federal government."Together with other jurisdictions, we have been making representations to
the Commonwealth government considering that previously this year, expressing issue that individuals are not getting adequate arrangement for transport in their strategies from the NDIA,"O'Rourke said. "I have actually composed and spoken to Commonwealth Minister for Social Solutions Christian Porter on a variety of events. Minister Porter has actually acknowledged these issues and a national working group has actually been established to work this out." While work continues at a national level, Queenslanders should not need to wait.
"Reacting to the Queensland government announcement, Jones told Pro Bono News that while the
announcement was invited it more illustrated inconsistencies throughout the nation.Jones said both
Tasmania and South had actually ruled to get rid of NDIS participants from the TSS plan, and Victoria seemed likely to follow."We have, however, had a rock strong warranty by the NSW minister that the TSS would stay irrespective of eligibility of the NDIS,"Jones said.Jones stated Spine Cables Injuries Australia were of the view that taxi aids"should remain in place in all jurisdictions constantly, regardless of whether you are an NDIS participant." "State governments have the duty to preserve these programs regardless of your eligibility. That becomes part of their universal service responsibility, "he said.Jones stated NDIS individuals who were not eligible for TSS were"at a far greater downside".
"For the most parts once you participate [under the TSS] there is no limitation, you
can continue to utilize the aid for each of your taxi fares irrespective of what you are doing, whether it is social, for work or other factor. Under the NDIS that modifications. You are just entitled to transfer funding for specific things."
source http://taxi.nearme.host/queenslands-reinstatement-of-taxi-aid-plan-for-ndis-stimulates-national-discussion/
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