The Australian Government is providing $1.25 million to the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania (BIAT) to support it’s continued delivery of the National Assistance Card (the Card).
The Card is a personalised card with a QR code which links to a personal site that gives advice on how to help and communicate with a person with a disability.
This helps people with disability -particularly young people – to express their needs and participate more fully in everyday life.
It contains important information about the card holder and their nominated contact person and can be used during situations – such as moving schools, entering employment, or catching public transport.
The Card is a practical tool that builds confidence, improves communication and boosts independence.
The project will continue supporting people with disability, including but not limited to those with brain injury, while building more understanding about the Card.
BIAT is a state-wide, non-government, not-for-profit organisation that works with people with acquired brain injury (ABI), their families, carers and other stakeholders across Tasmania.
The organisation delivers a range of programs, including services specifically for people living with brain injury, as well as programs that support the broader disability community.
BIAT is one of 38 organisations to share in $50 million delivered through phase one of the government’s reformed Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Program’s Individual and Family Capacity Building stream.
A further $40 million is being delivered to 24 organisations through the reformed ILC Program’s Information, Advice and Referral stream.
This first phase of the reformed ILC Program will fund eligible organisations to deliver critical projects focused on strengthening outcomes for people with disability across Australia, while the government considers longer term reforms to the program.
The government is reforming the program to improve the consistency, quality and national coverage of projects to support people with disability, their carers and families.
More information about the ILC program is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
NDIS Minister, Senator Jenny McAllister: “The National Assistance Card is already supporting Australians with disability to increase their confidence, safety and participation in everyday life.
This grant will have great focus on younger Australians to help them grow their independence as they age.”
“Whether you are a person with disability, a family member or a carer, this project has something to help you live better and reduce isolation.”
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White: “The National Assistance Card is making a real difference and helping Tasmanians living with a disability communicate their needs, feel understood and participate more confidently in their communities.
“Tools like the Card help to take pressure of the families and cares, helping to make interactions simpler and reducing the sense of isolation that comes with navigating everyday life.
“The Albanese Government is proud to support the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania to continue to deliver this important work, ensuring Tasmanians living with a disability have access to the support they need, close to home.”
Labor Member for Bass, Jess Teesdale: “People with disability in Bass deserve to feel confident, safe and understood in their everyday interactions, and the National Assistance Card plays a vital role in making that possible.”
“This investment ensures Tasmanians living with disability, including those with brain injury, can continue to access a simple but powerful tool that supports independence and participation.”
