National Companion Card Launch Means More Inclusion For People With Disabilit

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3rd December 2009, 01:00pm - Views: 910





Community Community Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary For Disabilities And Children's Service And Lisa Neville, Vict 1 image

Community Community Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary For Disabilities And Children's Service And Lisa Neville, Vict 2 image

Media Contacts: Ben Ruse (Shorten) 0407 030 808

                             Jane Rowe (Neville) 0408 028 924


                                                                                       


Media release

From the Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities

and the

Victorian Minister for Community Services 

Thursday, December 3

,

2009


National Companion Card launch means greater inclusion for people

with disability



Australians with severe disabilities will find it easier to attend sporting and cultural events without

paying for an extra ticket for their carer, after the launch of the National Companion Card in

Melbourne today.


Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, and Victorian Minister for

Community Services, Lisa Neville, today launched

the National Companion Card as part of

celebrations for the International Day of People with Disability. 


The National Companion Card Scheme is a culmination of years of work by Federal, State and

Territory governments to make it easier for people with disability to attend

sporting and

entertainment events across Australia.


“Some 32,000 card holders and their carer can now

enjoy increased participation in the

community,” Mr Shorten said.


“People with disability have the same right to get out and enjoy a concert or a football game as

the rest of the community, and this scheme removes one of the obstacles in their way.


“More than 2,700 businesses have thrown their support behind the Companion Card and their

collaboration is crucial to its success.


“To coincide with the national launch it is exciting that a number of big-name businesses have

joined, including

the AFL, Basketball Australia, Tennis Australia, the Australian Chamber

Orchestra, Reading Cinemas, Circus OZ, Fitness First Australia, Circus Royale, Event Cinemas

and the Australian Ballet,” Mr Shorten said.


“The Australian Government has invested $1.8 million

towards the Companion Card to enable

people with a disability to receive the same entitlements across all states and territories.


Ms Neville said Victoria had pioneered the Companion Card program and paved the way for the

introduction of the scheme to other states and territories. 


“Since 2003, the Companion Card has been assisting eligible Victorians with disability to

participate in activities and events without being unfairly slugged the cost

of an extra ticket for

their attendant carer,” Ms Neville said. 

Community Community Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary For Disabilities And Children's Service And Lisa Neville, Vict 3 image

Media Contacts: Ben Ruse (Shorten) 0407 030 808

                             Jane Rowe (Neville) 0408 028 924



“The Companion Card scheme, originally conceived as a part of the Government’s 10 year State

Disability Plan, which was launched in 2002.


“We can be proud that Victorian

innovation and leadership in this area has contributed to

improving the lives of so many people with disability across the country,” Ms Neville said


Mr Shorten said December 3rd was a day to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and

contributions of people with disability, here and around the world. 


“The International Day of People with Disability unites people around the world, promotes

inclusion and awareness of disability issues and highlights the contribution people with disability

make to their community locally, nationally and internationally,” Mr Shorten said. 



on International Day of People with Disability visit www.idpwd.com.au.  

 

 

 






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