SCOPE CEO Elected President of CP Australia

Scope announced today that its chief executive officer Diana Heggie has been elected president of Cerebral Palsy (CP) Australia.

The head of leading Victorian disability service provider Scope said she felt honoured by the appointment and would use her new role to fervently pursue greater opportunities for people with CP and similar disabilities.

``This is a privilege which I am extremely honoured to accept, and am thrilled to be in a position where I can extend my contribution to creating opportunities that will make a real difference to the everyday lives of individuals with a disability,’’ Ms Heggie said.

Ms Heggie said CP Australia’s tireless work over the years had already greatly impacted in the shift in attitudes towards the wellbeing and community inclusion of people with a disability.

And she said the organisation was extremely well positioned to continue breaking down the barriers that stood in the way of people with a disability from accessing equal opportunities.

CP Australia’s membership comprises significant organisations and individuals with a combined operational budget of more than $300 million.

The organisation provides services for more than 20,000 adults and children across the country.

``Through these partnerships, CP Australia has a strong and determined team working towards supporting government and communities to move forward in their attitudes and services they provide for people with CP,’’ Ms Heggie said.

Ms Heggie said issues that were being addressed by the organisation included the economic impact of CP in Australia.

An Access Economics Report into the Economic Impact of CP in Australia in 2007 - launched by Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services the Hon Bill Shorten in August - demonstrated that Australians living with CP were being short changed by the current system.

The report found that in 2007, the financial cost of CP in Australia was $1.47 billion or 0.14% of GDP.

When the value of lost wellbeing (disability and premature death) was added, the cost rose a further $2.4 billion.

Access Economics estimated that about 34,000 Australians had CP in 2007, with the cost to the individual estimated at 36.7% of the total – or $306 per week.

The Federal Government shares the bulk of the financial burden, bearing about 32.8% of the financial cost of the condition.

Ms Heggie said the report confirmed that more employment opportunities, affordable housing and funding needed to be urgently invested in supporting people with CP.