Winter is upon us with the cold and flu season and the ongoing risks of COVID-19 are having an impact. NDS has recently updated our  COVID-19 Toolkit  to include the latest risk management advice.    

The big news last month was the release of the NDIA’s Annual Pricing Review. I have been hearing the concerns of many members about this, as well as about the difficulties with obtaining insurance. I encourage members to let us know how such issues are affecting your service. The next meeting of the Finance and Sustainability Network will focus on these concerns.

We are also seeking member views to feed into our advocacy about the NDIS Review, with the recent release of papers addressing issues such as the pricing and payments approach of the Scheme.  

Also out recently was the NDS annual  Workforce Census report, created in collaboration with the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney. The report showed that worsening conditions of previous years have stabilised. However, with the undersupply of workers and high turnover, the situation remains very challenging. This continues to be a theme running through the WA Workforce Network with the next meeting to be convened on the 18 July.  

Nominations are now open for the WA Divisional Committee. We encourage the nomination of anyone who would like to bring their disability expertise to support NDS on priorities and strategies locally and nationally. On a broad range of issues, the Committee supports the NDS State Manager in engaging with the WA Government and the disability services ecosystem.    

The Committee welcomes nominations from the voting representatives of NDS members in WA, if you are interested, please get in touch.    

Please keep the entries coming in for the inaugural  National Disability Awards. These awards recognise and promote the outstanding contributions of individuals, groups and organisations working to create an inclusive Australia where people with disability are valued, respected and can contribute to the community. Nominations close at the end of July. More information, including how to nominate someone you know is deserving of recognition, can be found on our webpage.   

With so many offerings available from NDS, and so much going on at both local and national levels affecting disability services, this is a great time to renew your membership of NDS.