Advice Support Tool

Theme: Assistive Technology

Sub-Theme(s): Eyegaze

References:* NDIS Act 2013* NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Assistive Technology Operational Guideline Assessment and/or recommendation of an eyegaze device s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

NOTE:

All recommendations for an eyegaze device s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies need to be considered on an individual basis. s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

The prescription of eyegaze devices is dependent on a wide range of clinical factors and considerations.

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Criteria for reasonable and necessary supports

Considerations (including evidence used)

• Has the Speech Pathologist provided an up-to-date overview or functional assessment of the participants communication skills? See
• as well as background information on their current cognitive, behavioural, physical and sensory skills/requirements.
• Has the Speech Pathologist provided detailed information on the participants physical needs? redacted
• This information can also be found/correlated by checking recent Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Reports.
• Has the Speech Pathologist provided a list of all assistive technology and equipment currently being used by the participant s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies
• This information can also be found/correlated by checking recent Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy Reports.
• Has the Speech Pathologist explained why the eyegaze device is required? redacted

Criteria for reasonable and necessary supports

(supports represents value for money, ie the costs of support are reasonable, both in terms of the benefits achieved and the cost of alternative support)

Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Part 3.1 (a) – (f);

S47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

Are there comparable support options which would achieve the same outcome at a substantially lower cost? What alternative supports were considered?

Is there evidence that the support will substantially improve the life stage outcomes and be of long-term benefit to the participant?

Is there evidence that funding support is likely to increase | 34.1(c) Value for money (supports represents value for money, ie the costs of support are reasonable, both in terms of the benefits achieved and the cost of alternative support)

Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Part 3.1 (a) – (f);

S47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

Are there comparable support options which would achieve the same outcome at a substantially lower cost? What alternative supports were considered?

Is there evidence that the support will substantially improve the life stage outcomes and be of long-term benefit to the participant?

Is there evidence that funding support is likely to increase | Has the Speech Pathologist explained how the eyegaze device will support the participants participation S47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

Has the Speech Pathologist considered, trialled or implemented lower cost alternatives s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies and demonstrated what outcomes have been achieved using these systems?

Has the Speech Pathologist explained why the same outcomes cannot be achieved on a lower cost alternative for the participant s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

DEVICE ACCESS s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

Has the Speech Pathologist considered, trialled or communication devices s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies |

Criteria for reasonable and necessary supports

• independence and reduce funded support costs in the long-term?
• Is there evidence the support will increase the participant’s independence and reduce the participant’s need for other kinds of supports?
• Is there evidence the quoted support cost is comparable to expected cost of same kind of Supports?

Consideration of Options

Has the Speech Pathologist considered a range of eyegaze devices and explained the reasons why the recommended device is best suited to the participants needs and why other options would not be suitable and have been discounted? s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

Criteria for reasonable and necessary supports

OUTCOMES

• Has the eyegaze device been tested/trialled with the participant?
• s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

Has the Speech Pathologist provided details of the trials s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies

34.1(d) Support is effective or beneficial for the participant (supports will be, or are likely to be, effective for desired effect and beneficial for the participant, having regard to current good practice) Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Part 3.2 and 3.3 What are the expected benefits of the support provision? How will effectiveness of achieved outcome be measured? When will effectiveness of achieved outcome be achieved? Are there other supports required to achieve or maximise the reported support outcomes for participant?

Criteria for reasonable and necessary supports

s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies | | 34.1(e) Support coordinates with but does not replace informal support (funding or provision of supports takes account of what it is reasonable to expect) | Yes → Has the Speech Pathologist confirmed that the eyegaze device being requested is related to the participant’s disability and as such is not a reasonable expectation for informal support networks to provide for the participant? No → |

| Criteria for reasonable and necessary supports | Is criteria met? | Considerations (including evidence used) | | families, carers, informal networks and the community to provide) | Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Part 3.4 | | 34.1(f) Support is most appropriately funded by the NDIS | (supports are not more appropriately funded or provided through other general service systems or universal service obligations | Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Schedule 1. | Has the Speech Pathologist confirmed that the eyegaze device being requested is redacted most appropriately funded by the NDIS and not by another service system. | | Support will not cause harm (Supports will not be funded if it is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others, or the support would be contrary to a law of a jurisdiction) | Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Part 5.1 and 5.3 | redacted | | Support is directly related to the participant’s disability (supports will not be funded under the NDIS if they do not relate to the participant’s disability or are day-to-day expenses or income replacement) | Consider NDIS Support for Participant Rules 2013 Part 5.1 and 5.2 | Is the eyegaze device being requested for the purpose of AAC to support the participants communication goals/needs that are related to their disability? | | Support does not duplicate other supports (supports do not duplicate other supports delivered under alternative funding through the NDIS such as Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) funding.) | redacted | N/A to Communication AT |

Version Control

Note: Document uncontrolled in hard copy