WAiS Future Update

As you would appreciate this has been a very difficult period for staff and members, in particular. The support provided by team members to each other has been exemplary. There has been strong and widespread reactions of regret from many individuals and organisations across WA and nationally. The value of the contribution made by WAiS over the years has been acknowledged.

As part of the NDIS review, the independent review panel will be focussing on the effectiveness of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program, as well as identifying ways to better ensure the delivery of values and outcomes for people in relation to capacity building.

Given this, WAiS will be providing a submission to the review, with a focus on the need for independent capacity building supports and organisations across Australia to be invested in (like WAiS), on a sustainable basis as opposed to the current focus on just short term projects. This is a specific strategy that would facilitate long term outcomes for people with disability, their families and carers to achieve their life goals, participate in social and economic life, and improve outcomes for society by strengthening communities.

Whilst most of WAiS grants and therefore, operations, will cease at the end of June 2023 as originally decided, in light of the announcement of the review, the Committee has made the decision for WAiS to continue as an entity, for a period of up to one year until June 2024 whilst we wait for the outcome of the review. WAiS will relying on its small amount of reserve funds for the one year and is working to determine what it can deliver on this very limited basis.

We will share more details with you as we move through this process and as decisions are made by WAiS Committee and members. As always, please feel free to contact us if you would like further information.