A better start for children with disability

Under the Australian Government’s new Better Start for Children with Disability initiative, children aged under six years who have been diagnosed with sight or hearing impairments including deafblindness, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or Fragile X syndrome can register to access early intervention funding of up to $12,000 (to a maximum of $6,000 per financial year). From 1 July 2011, funding will be available for services such as speech pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, orthoptics and others. Families will have until their child turns seven to use the early intervention funding. For more information please visit www.fahcsia.gov.au/betterstart or call 1800 989 530.