8/7/04
A $60,000 Churchill Fellowship and a community-based think-tank have been established to generate new ideas and innovation in accommodation and community support for people with disabilities.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale said the two projects were initiated by the State Government's Accommodation Blueprint, a five-year plan to address unmet demand for accommodation support for people with disabilities.
Ms McHale said providing accommodation support was a key priority for both Government and families alike and one year on from its launch, people with disabilities were already reaping the benefits of the blueprint determinations.
"Thanks to substantial funding increases from the State Government, accommodation support was provided to a total of 103 people in the past financial year, with more than 600 people to be supported over the life of the blueprint," she said.
"These tangible outcomes are complemented by supportive projects like the fellowships and think-tank that will further enhance our capacity to meet the increasing need for accommodation support."
The Minister said the Churchill Fellowship initiative, to be administered by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, would provide three fellowships over six years with the inaugural fellowship to be advertised next month.
"These fellowships will be awarded to three Western Australians to undertake local or international study programs to explore key areas of best practice and innovation in the provision of accommodation and related support for people with disabilities," Ms McHale said.
"They will be merit-based and open to anyone with a special interest in disability - including people with disabilities, family members and service providers."
The establishment of an innovation think-tank on accommodation would be co-ordinated through ACROD. It will aim to involve people with disabilities, families, providers, community members and industry leaders in helping to promote innovative approaches to accommodation support across the sector.
"It is important that we continue to foster the development of more innovative solutions, and these projects provide us with the mechanisms to achieve this," the Minister said.
For more information on the Churchill Fellowships or Think-Tank, please contact Jenni Perkins, Director, Policy, Planning and Information, Disability Services Commission, 9426 9290.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
