- Submission Against NDIA Individual Assessments As part of the committee’s role to inquire into the implementation, performance and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the committee will inquire into and report on independent assessments, with particular reference to:
Terms of Reference Responses
The development, modelling, reasons Justification and reasoning for not and justifications for the introduction funding certain Allied Health of independent assessments into the Therapies that are indeed evidence NDIS; based. Example Osteopathy and Myotherapy Remedial Massage. Not funding transport allowance even though need it and rely on transport in everyday life and only funding it if “you are going to look for employment or going to be studying” The impact of similar policies in other As has happened with Disability jurisdictions and in the provision of Pension and fears that the same other government services; will be applied to NDIS The human and financial resources The cost of administering the needed to effectively implement assessment and managing the staff independent assessments to be sensitive and attuned to the people that they are assessing. The people being assessed are considered to be vulnerable in terms of reliant on support. Disabilities are like a spectrum from very mild to severe. They can affect people physically, intellectually and emotionally. Not all people with disabilities appear to be unwell or ‘disabled’ but may work harder to achieve the same goals and milestones as their peers. Some examples of milestones can include being able to drive a car, move around the community safely, maintain regular work, and live independently. The independence, qualifications, The appropriate matching of training, expertise and quality assessors to participants based on
- assurance of assessors;
I what the disability is. For some it may be more appropriate to have a physiotherapist assess and for others an Occupational Therapy. The appropriateness of the assessment Some of the assessment tools are selected for use in independent to determine plan funding; tools known to be outdated such as about being able to use technology. The implications of independent That people who appear well yet work hard to achieve simple things of independent living skills in the home as well as maintain regular paid work. Often there is not the recognition of the impact a person with a disability is impacted on as well as in turn the impact on their family. The implications of independent Concerning that the independent review outcome is considered final and participants are unable to have the outcome reviewed if it is not reasonable. the circumstances in which a person People that are severely unwell physically and mentally such as with high anxiety. Often family members that could be interviewed about the person with a disability have their own issues of complicated grief and that would colour their view of what the person with a disability can or can not do. Opportunities to review or challenge That there needs to be an avenue for people to be able to challenge the outcome where the results of the assessment are not
The appropriateness of independent assessments for particular cohorts of people with disability, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from regional, rural and remote areas, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
The appropriateness of independent Some people with disabilities may selected for use in independent to determine plan funding; despite appearing very functional may not feel they can enlighten family about their difficulties because of either fear of felt or
actual stigma.
Any other related matters