NDIS Fact Sheet - Microboards 101
Microboards 101
What is a microboard?
It is a big bunch of people who know and love Eli, and do stuff with him.[1]
Youniverse (formerly Vela Microboards Australia) developed four webinars under the Practical Design Fund to explain what microboards are and how they can help people take more control over their lives.
Parent and Youniverse Chair, Jaquie Mills, said microboards are small groups of committed family and friends who join with a person with disability to create a non-profit society.
“Microboards have a constitution and are legally empowered to administer funding, take out insurance and hire staff,” she said.
“The webinars show they are a sustainable way of self-directing services and managing staff, especially when there are large amounts of funding and support people.”
Ms Mills said the concept could help people transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, particularly when highly individualised supports were needed.
Youniverse Catalyst, Susan Stanford, said each webinar addresses a specific question:
Why have a microboard?
What do microboards do?
Who makes up a microboard and what attracts people to join microboards?
How do microboards come together?
Ms Stanford said the webinars were devised in consultation with people with disability, their families, paid support workers and microboad members.
“Our hope is they will inspire people to assume more control over their own lives and support”, she said.
“The microboards they describe are based on our vision.
“That is, Choice Control Friends … My life to the max.”
For more information, please contact Susan Stanford, Catalyst Vela Microboards Australia, 0408 921 374 or Jaquie Mills, Parent & Chair Vela Microboards Australia, r visitYouniverse.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a new way of providing individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers. It provides choice and control and a whole-of-life approach to the support needed for people to live more independently and work towards achieving their goals.
The Australian Government recognises that a strong, prepared and innovative disability sector is critical to the success of the NDIS. The Practical Design Fund was a $10 million grass roots program that has provided practical solutions and innovative approaches to assist people with disability, their families and carers, and the disability sector to prepare for and participate in the NDIS.
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12567 – 2 October 2013
[1] Vela Microboards, May 2013