According to National Disability Services (NDS), the peak body for non-government disability services, the electorate of Kennedy has 3200 residents who will be eligible for services funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

They, their families and the organisations that support them are looking for clear signs from their local candidates that they would be strong advocates for disability services in parliament.

NDS’s data also shows that when fully implemented in Kennedy, the NDIS will create 608 new full-time-equivalent jobs in disability services, and boost the local economy by spending $115 million on disability supports, equipment and other services.

However, Youngcare Chief Executive Officer, Sam Kennerley, said boosting jobs and the local economy were only part of the NDIS story.

“The NDIS is good social policy because it will increase services and choices for people with disability,” Mrs Kennerley said.

“It’s also good economic policy because it will create jobs and boost the local economy but the NDIS reforms do not address the enduring lack of alternative housing options facing young Aussies with high care needs.

“Across Australia, there are approximately 7,000 young people with disability living in aged care and more than 70,000 ageing parents who worry about what will happen to their adult children with high care needs when they are no longer able to support them.

“To meet this challenge in Kennedy we need governments to increase the supply of accessible social housing.”

Mrs Kennerley said uniform national building codes with disability design elements for all new housing would help boost the supply of age-appropriate homes for people with disabilities.

These design elements would include widening doorways and corridors to allow free movement between rooms, step-free shower recesses and more.

“Government needs to provide the strong leadership required to bring developers, councils and the community itself to recognise that Australians with high care needs have the same desire as everyone else to live as valued members of their communities,” Mrs Kennerley said.

Brisbane woman Julia Agostinelli knows well the feelings of isolation and hopelessness of being trapped in an aged care home with fellow residents who were decades older.

Ms Agostinelli was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 23. By her 40s, she was no longer able to live independently.

“I was living in an aged care home for years, lost in a system that had no alternative for people my age,” she said.

“It was hard enough coming to terms with my body’s deteriorating health but to have to spend my days in a regimented nursing home with little stimulation and activity was very difficult.”

Ms Agostinelli was fortunate to move into the Youngcare Wesley Mission purpose-built apartments in Sinnamon Park, Brisbane.

“I felt like I had won the lottery – my life was completely transformed!” she said. “My independence was back, I could socialise with people my own age and was able to go out and do things young people enjoy such as going to a movie, the art gallery or enjoying a picnic.

“I don’t know what my mental state would be like if I was still there.”

Mrs Kennerley said Youngcare was able to provide housing to only a fraction of those in need and she called on governments at all levels as well as developers and the business community to work together to find solutions.

“I am encouraged by the support for the NDIS across political parties and the community but a change of this magnitude and complexity carries risks and we need a strong local advocate in parliament to ensure that the NDIS is implemented well,’’ she said.

“People with disability want a fair go and a chance to live in the community.”

“We call on all candidates to outline how their election to Federal Parliament on 2 July would deliver a fair go for people with disability, their families and the organisations that support them.”