PARRAMATTA NSW 2150
Tel133 220
Department of Finance, Services and InnovationPage 1 of 2
ONLY USED IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE TRADER CANNOT BE CONTACTED
Re: Free Community education sessionsThe NDIS is rolling out across NSW currently. This is bringing about significant change for people with disabilities and the disability sector. Where previously the government has either provided services directly to people with disabilities, or funded services directly, the government is now providing individualised funding for people with disabilities through the NDIS. As a result people with disabilities will be responsible for buying products and entering contracts with service providers. Many of these consumers will not have experience in the marketplace, and may not have developed the skills and confidence necessary to make informed decisions in the marketplace.
Fair Trading have undertaken research about other vulnerable consumer groups and have found that vulnerable consumers are less likely to take preventative action to protect themselves from being “ripped off” and are less likely to engage with online information such as websites or fact sheets. Additionally consumer detriment is often higher for vulnerable consumers.
In response, FACS have funded us for a 2 year project to help run a project directed at people who will be impacted by the NDIS, with priority to those most vulnerable including:
-People with intellectual disabilities
-People with acquired brain injuries
-People with mental health issues
-People with cognitive impairments
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We are creating a specific education project to address:
-Entering a contract
-Hiring a Service
-Making a complaint
Our education project will create an opportunity for a facilitated, face-to-face discussion on what protective actions individuals can take to protect themselves, including what to look out for and how to complain if something goes wrong.
This education will be provided by our customer service staff at all 18 centres across the State – they will undertake community engagement locally, enabling staff to go to organised groups or meetings to talk to participants in a friendly, familiar environment. We talk to about 65,000 people a year face-to-face and have found that our community education strategy really changes people’s behaviour after they have participated. And we are happy to come and chat to participants, or providers, staff or anyone that works to support the disability sector. We are also keen to work with advocacy organisations, peaks, carers’ networks, disability support networks, interagencies and other agencies to share knowledge and build skills in the sector to support people with disabilities to make informed decisions in the marketplace.
Please consider including Fair Trading in your information stands, events, education activities and interagencies – we operate across the State, our education sessions are free and very flexible, and we are keen to work with you. Additionally, as mentioned, I would like to encourage people making complaints to us to disclose if they have disabilities or additional support needs, or if they are advocating for people with disabilities – this will enable us to offer a more adaptable and accessible service, as well as allowing us to see the bigger picture in the marketplace so that we can take action if we need to.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Emma Bedwin
Emma Bedwin
Community Engagement Coordinator
CommunityEducation| NSW Fair Trading
P: 0412 265 695 / 9895 0051
E: |
Department of Finance, Services and InnovationPage 1 of 2