National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Submission 170

I am the parent of a young adult man with complex disabilities. He is Level 3 ASD and has apraxia which means he is a non-speaker. He has a positive behaviour support plan and uses restrictive practices (RP). Because of the RP we have to use registered providers.

We have had 5 registered providers since 2018.

Being registered does not mean good quality or good service.

We have just left our fifth provider who has been the absolute worst provider.

I put in a complaint to the NDIS Safeguards Commission about this provider on 1 July and still have not been assigned a complaints officer.

Participants need to maintain choice and control.

The new NDIS Bill does not have enough detail and there has NOT been enough co-design. The Bill does not make it a legal requirement that co-design is required. This is not good for people with disability or their families.

The new NDIS Bill does not take a Whole of Person Approach. It does not account for people with multiple disabilities which could lead to inadequate support.

The Bill lacks a clear way to appeal or replace your needs assessment. At the moment NDIA do NOT read any reports that they currently ask for so why will it be any different? So many families end up at AAT due to this simple fact. During the AAT process the lawyers for NDIA ask for the same information that has already been sent. It is a very frustrating process.

The Bill provides the NDIA with broad powers to require medical assessments which could be difficult to obtain within the allotted timeframe and as stated above the staff do not even read the reports!!

Even though a proposed amendment states the other impairments will be assessed, the Bill also states in s34 1 aa that only those impairments that meet the disability access criteria will be funded. That is a contradiction.

As someone who advocates for my son with severe impairments that need funding, this clause 34 1 aa is very concerning. It will lead to harmful under-support and this clause must be removed from the Bill.

The Bill gives the NDIA a lot of power to control how participants use their funding which reduces participant choice and control. Having a list of what is considered an NDIS support does not sound like a good idea at all.

I do not believe participants should use their funds to pay strata fees, fines, crystal therapy, cuddle therapy, clairvoyance and tarot readings, holidays, gambling, weddings, gift cards etc. But there may be some cases where sex toys or sex therapy is necessary for a few

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDI$ Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Submission 170

People. It is like swimming lessons. NDIA cover the difference between normal swimming lessons and one on one lessons that may be needed for some children.

There will never be a one size fits all for people with disability just like there is not a one size fits all for non-disabled people.

Maybe a better option would be for everyone to use a plan manager so that will cut out the misuse of NDIA money?

The NDIS Scheme is based on choice and control and this should NEVER change.

The support of the whole person had been promised in the NDIS Review and this Bill does not do that.

This new NDIS Bill is harmful and will hurt disabled people.

Thank you for your due diligence on this vital legislation. It is important to so many, that it is sound legislation.