Committee Secretary

NDIA Independent Assessments Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA

14.3.21

to the committee secretary,

I make this submission to address concerns surrounding the implementation of Independent Assessments by the NDIA. I am the parent of a young adult with a severe physical disability. She is currently completing year 12 as a mainstream public school student.

d. the independence, qualifications, training, expertise and quality assurance of assessors

 has Cerebral Palsy, which is a neurological condition affecting all four limbs. Her official

diagnosis is Quadriplegic Mixed Cerebral Palsy. That simply means she displays a mix of symptoms from Athetoid, Ataxic, and Spastic Cerebral Palsy. It is the most uncommon and most difficult to treat type. Independent Assessments can be done by any Allied Health provider from a physiotherapist to a psychologist. has had the same treating Allied Health professionals involved with her care for many years. Given the complicated nature of ’s Cerebral Palsy, it’s of enormous concern that we may, for example, be allocated a psychologist to perform her Independent Assessment. I would have no expectation that a psychologist would have any knowledge whatsoever of Cerebral Palsy, let alone an unusual presentation such as ’s. Even a physiotherapist in their early years of practice would not necessarily have any knowledge of what experiences. Her long held therapists are the ones who hold the understanding of the complexities and requirements of her disability. No one off, three hour meeting will meet those requirements or allow for the required understanding to determine an appropriate level of funding required for a year or more.

e. the appropriateness of the assessment tools selected for use in independent assessments to determine plan funding

Having an assessment tool that uses a yes/no model is entirely inappropriate to use for people with disabilities. Can shower herself independently? No. That is the only answer the assessor will walk away with. Not the knowledge that she can, in fact, perform some of the tasks associated with self care such as cleansing her face with a battery operated cleansing brush, learning to use an electric toothbrush, washing herself, but not her hair, all done in a shower chair. A simple example like that explains that a yes/no model won’t provide an adequate answer

the implications of independent assessments for NDIS planning, including decisions related to funding reasonable and necessary supports

disability can be a complex and moving target. For example, i do not have an accessible vehicle. as a single parent, i don’t have the financial capacity to borrow the necessary funds required to purchase a vehicle that will meet ndia standards required for modification. The only way can use her powerchair in public is if we take accessible taxis. Her treating Occupational Therapist has decided an ideal way for her to gain more independence in public is for us to begin exploring the addition of a Smart Drive (this is, essentially, a fifth wheel that attaches to the back of her manual wheelchair that’s motorised) allowing us to use my current vehicle that can transport her manual chair. This is a complex need that will meet a sizable goal of ’s to be independent in public all of the time. This won’t be addressed in an independent assessment by her current occupational therapist who can report on this in the current funding model.

if, for example, is allocated a speech therapist to do her independent assessment, I have no expectation they would be able to adequately address any assistive technology needs. This is the domain of the occupational therapist and should remain so. For an adequate assessment of funding what’s reasonable and necessary, the input needs to be taken from the Allied Health and medical professionals who have a history with the participants. Not a potentially unqualified therapist who gets a maximum of three hours.

In general, conducting an independent assessment across a maximum of three hours per that only allows for the answer of yes/no questions allows for no exploration of capacity. Any disability exists on a spectrum. There are no two cases of Cerebral Palsy that are the same. has no independent mobility without the aid of assistive technology, however, she has the functional capacity to develop into an extremely independent and productive adult. Without exploration into that capacity, there will be no ability to determine what is reasonable and necessary to meet that goal.

If independent assessments are to continue, all allied health and medical reports must be allowed to be included. This then takes the model to a similar one that is currently being used. Going forward, i would be prepared to undertake such an assessment if completed by a relevant assessor, ie a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist. However, there are currently no offers of this. There’s no doubt the current system is flawed, however, taking away critical information provided by therapists who are familiar with participants needs and capacity, takes away a truly accurate picture of what is truly reasonable and necessary based on the needs of the individual.

i am prepared and more than willing to participate in any further discussion either in person, by phone, or email. I am also willing to have these details mentioned in the senate.