The ACT government has reached a deal with the Commonwealth to fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme for 5000 disabled Canberrans.
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Chief Minister Katy Gallagher followed the lead of her New South Wales counterpart Barry O'Farrell, signing the agreement with Prime Minister Julia Gillard at Friday's Council of Australian Governments meeting.
The deal guarantees the launch of the scheme in the ACT by 2014.
The ACT government has not yet revealed what it will spend to uphold its end of the agreement.
The Commonwealth has promised $10.6 million in 2013 for enhanced services and to prepare the ACT for the NDIS rollout, as well as $12 million to be spent in the ACT on sector development.
Ms Gallagher said the scheme would extend additional support to people with disabilities and their families, helping them to meet the cost of a range of needs relating to their disability.
The Chief Minister said all disabled Canberrans would be covered by the scheme.
"This is an important day for people with disabilities and their families and carers, setting the foundations for the scheme which will see them better access funds to meet the cost of a range of needs relating to their disability," she said.
"The launch of the NDIS will see extra support flow to up to 5000 Canberrans with a range of disabilities by 2016-2017 and will make a real and tangible difference to their everyday lives."
