People with disabilities in Canberra have entered a new era as the ACT trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme was launched on Tuesday.
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ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said the lives of more than 5000 Canberrans would be transformed by the NDIS as they transitioned into the scheme from July 1.
''Today is an historic day for the ACT and marks a significant change in the way that people with disabilities, their families and carers access services that they need in the way that they feel is best for them,'' she said on Tuesday.
The National Disability Insurance Agency also released its price list for the ACT trial on Tuesday.
Support providers will be paid a ''transitional price'' which will be stepped down in three instalments until it aligns with an ''efficient'' price in two years.
The efficient price is the benchmark the NDIA believes support providers should be able to operate within when supporting people with disability.
In the ACT, the transitional price for personal care will be slightly higher than in other states and territories.
In other states and territories, the transitional price will start at $38.78 for weekdays, but in the ACT, the price for personal support and community participation will be $41.19.
NDIS ACT trial site manager Jillian Paull said the higher prices acknowledged that there were unique circumstances in the ACT, but she said people with disabilities in the ACT would not be more out of pocket than those in other states or territories.
''It is in recognition of the unique circumstances of the market of the community sector in the ACT and not wanting to cause any undue hardship to existing providers,'' she said.
''Individual plans aren't capped, but the NDIA is able to meet the cost of the increased prices without causing any hardship to any individuals.''
Ms Gallagher said the ACT government along with the Commonwealth were investing $21.8 million preparing people and service providers for the upcoming changes ''as we move to a much more person-centred approach to disability services''.
Minister for Disability Joy Burch said the NDIS would be gradually implemented to ensure people get the attention and level of service they deserved.
People will be transitioned into the scheme according to their age and stage of life.
Eric Thauvette, executive director of Hartley Lifecare, which provides support accommodation for people with disabilities in Canberra as well as respite care, said the NDIS trial was great.
''The funding will be attached to the individual as opposed to [being] attached to organisations. It will make organisations accountable to the individuals, a lot more than it has in the past,'' he said.
''We think it's the future for people with disabilities and I think it's a great thing for them to be able to have more choice and control.''
Liberal Senator Zed Seslja welcomed the start of the ACT NDIS trial, saying the NDIS was about providing more certainty and long-term sustainability of support for peopel with disabilities.
''The government [and] the NDIA will be doing all we can to ensure it's a very smooth transition, to ensure the quality of care doesn't just stay where it is but actually improves, because that's what the NDIS is about.''
The NDIA has opened Canberra offices on Northbourne Avenue, Braddon, and at Nature Conservation House at Emu Bank, Belconnen.