NDIA Accountability Project

Assessment of complex disabilities and lack of trust in the NDIS

Independent Assessments

Submission 293

Appropriate Qualification

Independent assessments are only appropriate where a properly qualified representative of the NDIA undertakes the assessment. I have a hearing disability, and this being the case only a person qualified in this area can make this assessment.

Complex Nature of Disabilities

Disabilities for many people are complex. It is simply not feasible for an accurate assessment to occur where this assessment is performed by a single person limited time allotted using a standard set of tools. My disability is best assessed by Allied Health professionals with whom I have an established relationship. These professionals work with me to understand my disability and then make professional and ethical recommendations. This initiative says to me that people with disabilities seek to abuse the system. It is simply not the case, The Allied Health Professionals that I engage with assess my disability and make recommendations based on their professional knowledge and ethics.

Disclosure of Results

Under the current system, all assessments are available to both the participant and the NDIS. This creates a fair field of play. If independent assessments are undertaken, then full disclosure of the results needs to occur. If this does not occur, then there is no accountability in the system. The NDIS currently plays the system against the participants they are entrusted by law to serve, and without full disclosure of the results, this culture which only harms participants and impacts negatively the performance of the NDIS will continue.

Lack of Trust

There is a lack for trust between the NDIS and participants. This lack of trust is caused by culture within the NDIS that causes harm to people who need help. The proposal to use independent assessments will further exacerbate this issue. NDIS participants or people wanting to access the system will not trust NDIS-appointed healthcare professionals using standardised tools (that I assume will be stipulated by the NDIS). The NDIS needs to be focus on addressing this cultural issue. It is not until this is addressed that participants will have any level of trust in them. Without this trust, any initiative such as Independent Assessments, is bound to fail. An example of this issue is that the NDIA says that its pilot projects have worked, but have not disclosed the results to the public.