The estimated 191,000 Western Australians with some form of disability, will benefit this financial year from about $200 million allocated by the State Government to programs, services and grants.
Disability Services Minister Eric Ripper gave the details today while officially opening the annual ACROD Budget seminar.
Mr Ripper said the significant 1992-93 Budget allocation demonstrated the Government's determination to improve the lives of Western Australians with disabilities.
A total of $93 million - an increase of nearly three per cent on the previous year - was allocated to the Authority for Intellectually Handicapped Persons (AIH) and the Bureau for Disability Services.
AIH would receive $85.6 million - a $1.2 million increase. There was a more than 28 per cent boost in funding, to $24 million, for non-Government agencies offering disability services and programs.
"The substantial boost in funding for non-Government agencies is mainly due to an increase to 34 in the number of such bodies, but shows the Government's commitment to working in close partnership with the community," Mr Ripper said.
"This partnership must be shared by non-Government agencies and families to ensure Western Australians with disabilities live full, active and independent lives. The Government can not do it alone without everyone playing their part."
The Minister said much had been achieved in the year since Western Australia became the first State in the country to appoint a specific Minister for Disability Services, but there was much more to be done.
"The hallmark of the past year has been planning and laying foundations. The coming period is for implementing the initiatives developed."
New initiatives in the State Budget and the Social Advantage included:
· $790,000 for constructive day activities for school-leavers with disabilities;
· $450,000 for school therapy services;
· $350,000 for grants and service co-ordination to support carers;
· $110,000 to rationalise and extend the subsidised taxi voucher scheme.
Major projects underway included reviews of accommodation and transport services, State Disability Services legislation, the Commonwealth/State Disability Services agreement, and a public education campaign about helping people with disabilities.
