It is no secret many small and medium size businesses across NSW are struggling with the recent reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
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To support local businesses in Armidale and the surrounding areas that need help with the changes within the NDIS space, the Business Centre will host a series of events, workshops and one-on-one business advisory sessions in Armidale over the coming months.
Firstly, the Business Centre will host an “NDIS Business TLC” event at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse on November 7, bringing together businesses throughout the region for an evening event to discuss the difficulties and look at solutions.
Business Centre's Steve Wait said that many small businesses are finding it difficult to be agile enough in the face of reform to continue to offer their services to their valued clients and also remain profitable.
“We want to offer any support we can to help these invaluable businesses in the Armidale region as their services are vital to people with disabilities,” he said.
“The Business Centre recently won the NSW contract to be the lead provider on delivery of free and heavily subsidised support services to businesses working within the NDIS right across the state.
“Under the NSW Government’s Business Connect program we can offer up to four-hours of free one-on-one business advisory meetings with our Business Advisors to help local businesses.
“After the initial four-hours, businesses can access a further eight-hours support for just $125.”
Chantelle Robards is the disability support expert in residence at the Business Centre and a nationally recognised disability support advocate.
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Ms Robards has worked within the NDIS space since it’s trial in 2013 in the Hunter region where she started her own business, online directory service Espyconnect. She is also the founder of A Simple Warrior which provides support, education and advocacy for the disability sector.
Ms Robards said she is particularly focused on finding solutions for problems and avenues around barriers, which occur all too often within the disability and human services sectors for both people with disabilities and workers.
“I am looking forward to our TLC event in Armidale as many businesses do need care in what can be trying times. I will also be available to meet one-on-one with NDIS providers to help them negotiate specific questions and concerns they have.”
“I have a deep and clear understanding of the NDIS policy and how businesses can work within the framework to meet the needs of their clients while remaining profitable.”