The Rann Labor Government has announced it will spend another $9million over the next four years on two important areas of disability – transport and early intervention for children with autism.

Minister for Disability Jay Weatherill says if elected, a Labor Government will spend $5m extra over the next four years on boosting transport subsidies available through the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme.

“We understand how important transport is to the independence of people with a disability, and the problems they often face in using public transport.

“We will increase by one third the number of vouchers people can receive for subsidised taxi travel.

“Instead of receiving 60 vouchers every six months, people will receive 80 vouchers.”

(Under the existing scheme, there are two levels of subsidised taxi support: a 75% subsidy to a total fare of $30 for members permanently confined to a wheelchair and a 50% subsidy to a total fare of $30 for ambulant members. Members receive 60 vouchers per 6-month period.)

Mr Weatherill says a future Labor Government would also increase by 25% the maximum level to which the subsidy applies, from $30 to $40.

“And we will also consider flexibility for regional South Australians using the SATS Scheme, for example, allowing them to use multiple vouchers for a single trip.”

In early intervention and therapy for autism, a Rann Labor Government will increase spending by $4m over the next four years, which will provide services for 100 extra children.

“We know that early and on-going support to children with autism spectrum disorders and their families is an investment in the future.”

This increase would come on top of the $180,000 one-off funding boost to Autism SA, which paid for 200 extra assessments, clearing the ten-month waiting time.

The State Government also last year announced permanent funding of $40,000 for the Early Intervention Research Project into autism at Flinders University. There was also an increase of $448,000 in extra funding to Autism SA in the 20010/11 State Budget.

These measures come on top of Labor’s other commitments to increase spending on services for people with disabilities, including $18.8 million over four years to provide group homes and in-home support for 190 people.

And over four years we’re committing $1.2million extra for equipment for people with disabilities and $2 million on recreation and sporting programs for people with disabilities.