NEW DEDICATED NATIONAL REFERRAL AND SUPPORT SERVICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is urging those with a disability in the Riverina and Central West to take advantage of a new national referral and support service.

Mr McCormack said the dedicated one-stop service would provide advice and up-to-date information.

“This is an important service for those with a disability, as well as their loved ones, across the Riverina and Central West,” Mr McCormack said.

“A national campaign over television, radio, print, digital and social media advertisements to promote the support service is named ‘I can’.

“The campaign features people with lived experience of disability describing the benefits of using the new service.

“The Federal Government has worked extensively with the disability sector to build a fit-for-purpose source of information to help our community easily access advice and referral services.”

The Disability Gateway can assist with a range of support, from locating advocacy services, finding a sporting team that meets the needs of a person’s disability or identifying local disability-related events.

The service aims to improve the navigations to access relevant information and services by serving as a central entry point for referrals to disability information, services and programs.

“The website is divided into 10 areas of life, including income and finance, housing, transport, education and leisure which provide easy-to-access tools and tips to assist those with a disability,” Mr McCormack said.

It is available at www.disabilitygateway.gov.au or by calling 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm AEST.

People with disability who need support in another language can also contact the Gateway on 1800 643 787 and ask for an interpreter.

Broadcast-quality television commercials and high-resolution versions of advertisements are available at: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/about

Shane Manning