Disability Services Commission Annual Report

1.1 Executive Summary
1.1 Executive Summary
In 2007–2008 the Disability Services Commission has:
assisted 20,507 Western Australians with disabilities;
expended $366.0 million to advance the rights and support the needs of
Western Australians with disabilities — a nine per cent increase on last year;
received revenues of $316.5 million from the State Government and other
sources, excluding Commonwealth Government revenue (86 per cent of the
Commission’s budget). This included the appropriation of $304.3 million from
the State Budget;
received Commonwealth Government funding of $52.5 million under the
Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement and other agreements
(14 per cent of the Commission’s budget); and
allocated $213.0 million 2 (58 per cent of total expenses) to 106 external service
providers for services and support for Western Australians with disabilities and
their carers.
A major focus for 2007–2008 has been implementing the recommendations of the
Sector Health Check report, which was launched in May 2007. The Sector Health
Check Implementation Steering Committee is on track to complete the implementation
of the recommendations by the end of 2008, with 84 per cent of the 67
recommendations either being fully implemented or in progress. Achievements to
date include the commencement of the innovative statewide pilot program to facilitate
more timely access to community based support for people with rapidly degenerative
neurological conditions. Significant progress has also been made on major reform
initiatives such as the development of the long term plan, Disability Future Directions
2025, and the Community Living Plan project, which will underpin the development of
a range of community living options for people with disabilities in 2008–2009.
The inaugural Chief Executive Officer Round Table was held in March 2008, with
over 70 CEOs and the Commission’s Director General attending the full day forum to
share information and discuss key issues facing the disability sector.
Funding was provided to National Disability Services to employ an Aboriginal project
officer to work in partnership with the Commission’s Senior Aboriginal Policy Officer
to support the development of more culturally secure services across the sector.
2 This total includes $221,332 for ‘Miscellaneous Providers’, which is not included as an external
service provider.
2 Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2007–2008