People in NSW who have a severe or profound disability will now be able to take a carer on public transport and to events for the prices of a single ticket.
NSW Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, announced today the NSW Government will introduce the Companion Card to assist people with disabilities who need a carer to better participate in the community.
"The Companion Card recognises that a carer is indispensable to a person with a profound or severe disability and gives them equal access to services and facilities like everyone else," Ms Keneally said.
"The NSW Government will provide the card to people who always or usually require the assistance of a carer in their daily lives, with eligibility based on the needs of a person with a disability.
"The card will be free, it won’t be means tested, and we estimate it will make it easier for about 25,000 people in NSW to better access the community, everyday services and events.
"In addition to public buses and trains, we believe there will be strong support for the card from the private sector, particularly entertainment and sporting businesses."
Ms Keneally said the new Companion Card will be introduced this year.
"Based on the experience of states who have introduced a similar scheme, we know that it will take six months or more to set up the Companion Card – so we are looking forward to introducing the service in mid to late 2008," Ms Keneally said.
"In the interim we will continue to work with the Australian Government to make the card a national scheme which delivers benefits to people with significant disabilities across NSW and the country."
Ms Keneally said that the Companion Card was one of a number of services the Iemma Government is rolling out to provide assistance to carers of people with disabilities, including:
• An extra 1,062 respite places which provide carers with a much-needed break as well as opportunities for a person with a disability to access the community and socialise more widely;
• 125 extra flexible day programs for people cared for at home by older parents, providing meaningful activities for an adult with disabilities, and a break for their older parents; and
• 791 extra respite places specifically for older parent carers to provide them with extra assistance and a break.
"We’re getting on with the job with delivering improved services and facilities to people with disabilities, their families and their carers," Ms Keneally said.