DSC wins national recognition for Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) program

1/10/98

Disability Services Minister Paul Omodei today announced that the Disability Services Commission had received national recognition through the Productivity Commission for its Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) program.

The LAC program - under which co-ordinators placed in 91 localities throughout Western Australia organise services for clients with disabilities - was one of only four State Government initiatives around Australia to be selected as a case study by the steering committee of the Review of Commonwealth/State Service Provision.

The program is unique in providing funding directly to people with disabilities and their carers to purchase the services they require, rather than funding agencies to provide services which eligible clients then have to accept.

The case study, 'Offering Direct Consumer Funding and Choice in WA Disability Services', has been published in a national report, Implementing Reforms in Government Services, as an example for all of Australia's Government service-based agencies to follow in implementing reforms to improve productivity.

Mr Omodei said the success of the LAC program reflected the operating philosophy of the Disability Services Commission in WA.

"The WA Government and the DSC believe that individuals and families are in the best position to determine their own needs, and should be able to choose services to fit those needs, rather than be expected to fit their needs into ready-made services," he said.

"It is a fundamental principle, and when it translates to direct funding - give the money to the clients, and let them decide what services they need and who should provide them - you have a system which leads to more choice, more empowerment to people with disabilities and their carers, and more competitive and cost-efficient services."

Mr Omodei said that an important feature of the LAC program was the increase in flexibility of funding, while maintaining stringent accountability requirements.

"The LAC program has been subject to rigorous evaluation and the client base has responded with consistent approval," he said.

"A recent survey of customer satisfaction across all the DSC's programs found the LAC program to have a 91 per cent satisfaction rating - and that is where any measure of service delivery counts most."

The LAC program will achieve State-wide coverage by December 2000, and the Disability Services Commission will continue to pursue innovative approaches to help meet the needs of people with disabilities and their carers in WA.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9213 6705