NDIS Committee on Independent Assessments Submission

• the development, modelling, reasons and justifications for the introduction of independent assessments into the NDIS;
• the impact of similar policies in other jurisdictions and in the provision of other government services;
• the human and financial resources needed to effectively implement independent assessments;
• the independence, qualifications, training, expertise and quality assurance of assessors;
• the appropriateness of the assessment tools selected for use in independent assessments to determine plan funding;
• the implications of independent assessments for access to and eligibility for the NDIS;
• the implications of independent assessments for NDIS planning, including decisions related to funding reasonable and necessary supports;
• the circumstances in which a person may not be required to complete an independent assessment;
• opportunities to review or challenge the outcomes of independent assessments;
• 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 assessments for people with particular disability types, including psychosocial disability; and
• any other related matters

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Dear Minister Stuart Robert,

I wish to outline some of my concerns regarding the Liberal Party’s proposed plan to introduce Independent Assessments. I will refer to some of the terms of reference set out above.

Originally, the NDIS was meant to offer choice and control to all participants, something which had been denied under previous schemes to ensure people had the resources to become fully integrated citizens of this country. What do I mean by “fully integrated?” Simply put, a fully integrated citizen is able to pursue goals, live independently, and access community resources on an equal footing with non-disabled citizens.

Independent assessments seriously threaten to undermine this. As someone living with cerebral palsy who needs support workers 4 times a day every day, I do not relish jumping through more hoops to simply be able to live my life. I dream of being employed in a library, and am currently studying to turn this goal into a reality.

I tremble at the thought of how the carpet will be pulled from under me, and from under so many others. I can’t get out of bed, shower, or go to the toilet without support workers assisting me – will I just lie abed because you have cut off my right to live?

Frankly, the idea of having my life examined by a stranger with no in-depth knowledge of disability is frightening and appalling. Why should I tell somebody who is not disabled with no knowledge of my life circumstances or interest/incentive to see me thrive about what I need?

I have zero confidence that this will benefit me. On the contrary, I have heard testimonies that the IA process has traumatised pilot participants from Greens’ Senator Jordan Steele-John and from pilot participants themselves who feel dehumanised and violated.

Furthermore, the Independent Assessment are widely condemned as flawed by the Australian Physiotherapist Association who are now reporting individual assessors to AHPRA for breach of ethics and conduct codes. If you can’t support us, you can at least do us no harm and leave us no worse off than we are now. Independent assessments are already proving to be actively harmful.

I raise my voice against this measure, and against the training of assessors with little care or concern for the people they are supposed to be helping. If you wanted to have teeth removed, what would your choice be? Book an appointment with a dentist who has 10+ years’ experience? Or book one with someone fresh out of dental college, who wants to pull out all your teeth because they have no understanding/experience with complex dental issues.

The Liberals are threatening to employ inexperienced cookie cutter assessors as a cost saving measure – at least that’s what it seems like to me. What other sound reasons are there to do this?

PWD like me have already built up trust with accredited health professionals who have intimate knowledge and understanding of our goals and support needs. We don’t want this ripped to pieces in the name of doing things cheaply. Leave the current system as is with no three-hour perfunctory assessments that can’t adequately respond to complexity.

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of PWD don’t want to buy yachts with taxpayers money. Supporting us is a great investment – because we are not takers, but jobmakers. Although some of us can’t work, we employ support workers, support coordinators, and NDIA staff. Independent assessments like these send a message that we are burdens on society and play into damaging stereotypes.

This can cause depression, doubt, and a strong desire to check out of society entirely. Why? Because the government (and some providers) see us as Monopoly tokens to be moved at will. Or as cash cows.

PWD will support changes that support us.

Independent Assessments will destroy us.

Know that the world is watching and waiting for compassion, not cost cuts.

Yours fearfully,