Tasmania's leading provider of sport and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities, New Horizons, fears it will be forced to cut programs and further reduce its already "skeleton" staffing levels.
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The Mowbray-based organisation was unsuccessful in its application for funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme's Information, Linkages and Capacity grants, depriving it of core funding.
Under the NDIS, New Horizons must compete with other organisations across Australia for funding that was previously provided by state governments.
The volunteer-run organisation understands that only 28 grants were issued from more than 300 applications, and none were awarded in Tasmania.
MORE ON NEW HORIZONS' FUNDING CONCERNS:
New Horizons acting chief executive officer Edwina Dick said it created uncertainty for the future with funding already stretched to its limits.
"Our worst fears have been realised," she said.
"We already operate on a skeleton staff. This would have to be eroded further and programs cut until another funding solution is found.
"Our organisation has been around since 1986 and it's such an important part of people's lives, so this insecurity of funding is hard to work with. It's taking up so many hours and it means that the services we offer are suffering because of the time spent on grant applications.
"One of the reasons we are speaking out is to make the community aware of our plight. We're great supporters of the NDIS and what it provides for people with disabilities, but the scheme needs refining, and New Horizons Tasmania hopes that, by speaking out, we can be part of the solution to help improve the NDIS."
New Horizons has 462 active members and 70 volunteers with partnerships with AFL Tasmania, Cricket Tasmania, the state government, schools and community organisations to improve inclusion in sport and recreation for people with a disability. It provides 18 programs per week in Northern Tasmania.
The ILC grants are intended to create "connections between people with disability and the communities they live in". Ms Dick said it was difficult to see how New Horizons did not adhere to this definition.
The organisation applied for three years of funding to enable services to be delivered statewide.
Inclusivity, confidence and friendship at heart of New Horizons
Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer spoke with NDIS Minister Stuart Robert on Friday about New Horizon's unsuccessful grant application, and will discuss the matter further with the minister next week.
Ms Archer also spoke about the value of New Horizons during a speech to parliament earlier this month, in which she provided personal insights into the value of the organisation.
"Nothing speaks more to the difference an organisation like New Horizons has on its participants, their family and the community than hearing firsthand accounts, some of which I would like to share today, on the subjects of inclusivity, confidence and creating a sense of belonging," she said.
"On inclusivity: 'I wouldn't have been able to represent Australia without New Horizons club.'
"On confidence: 'Confidence is a big thing for me, so I've learned to be more confident, and that's been shown at work as well, which is great, because that's a big thing up at work.'
"On friendships and belonging: 'Making new friendships that will last a lifetime through the club has been very beneficial to me.'"
New Horizons recently sent a team of young cricketers to Geelong to participate in the National Cricket Inclusion Championships.
The government provided New Horizons with $115,000 in funding last April, securing its short-term future.