ONLY a few months ago people with disabilities and their families were celebrating bipartisan political support for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
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It seemed even with a likely change in the federal government, those with disabilities would still get access to much-needed funding that would provide guaranteed support for those in need of long-term assistance.
But this week those same individuals and families are upset and feeling far from assured their needs will now be met.
A report to the government by National Disability Services says up to 900,000 Victorians with disabilities might not qualify for the new scheme if the state government does not adjust its budget to meet growing demand.
It expressed concern those with lower level disabilities might not receive assistance they also need.
Border families and service providers say there is insufficient information available about eligibility for the scheme and no confirmation about what qualifies as a low or high level disability.
This is a cruel situation for those who had believed the issues surrounding the ongoing funding of disability services might have finally been addressed.
