National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 173
Submission on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Date: 11/07/2024
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to respond to the proposed changes regarding NDIS funding in relation to a recent statement made by Bill Shorten in Parliament, where he referred to excluding NDIS funding for “non assistance animals”. It was communicated to me, via a Third-party that all “services that include animals” would not be funded by the NDIS in the proposed changes.
I would like this issue clarified please. Surely it is not the case. If it is, then I strongly oppose the Bill that states animal assisted therapies will not be funded under the NDIS.
I am an Early childhood specialist teacher working in a role as Early Interventionist, Key worker, and Team Leader for a registered NDIS Provider at an established early childhood intervention service west of the Blue Mountains. I have been employed here for 18 years.
Our service provides capacity building, family and therapy support for children (and their families) from birth to 9 years with a diagnosed disability and/or developmental delay. I have been working in this industry before the NDIS ever existed.
In addition to a Bachelor of Teaching Degree, I recently completed a Diploma in Counselling in Equine Assisted Mental Health. The course was run with Equine Assisted Therapy Australia (EATA), over a period of 19 months, including 12 weeks of practical face to face training. I am now accredited as an Equine Assisted Practitioner. I am also registered with the Australian Counselling Association. I am currently in the process of starting a private practice as an Equine Assisted Therapist to support all people in our community. Initially I will provide services for the entire community as well as plan managed and self-managed NDIS participants. I intend to become a registered NDIS Provider.
I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes for personal reasons as well as for potential clients in our community. Although, equine assisted therapy is an emerging field, it is not a fad and there is ongoing research and studies being carried out. There is anecdotal evidence to support the benefits as well as my own personal experience, as I too, access equine assisted therapy for mental health support. I have made significant progress since transitioning to equine assisted psychotherapy. Since Covid, the need for mental health support has increased. Why take away much needed mental health services? Additionally, It has become evident in my experience as an Early Interventionist and consulting with other therapists and specialists in early intervention that equine assisted therapy will be most beneficial for children because it is not carried out in a clinical setting; rather, it is experiential, play based, nature based and with horses to facilitate the therapy process, so that learning and achievement of the child and family goals can occur.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 173
Due to the gaps in services in my area, I plan to expand my equine assisted therapy service to support teens and adults, for example, siblings and parents/carers of children with a Disability and/or developmental delay, as well as teens and adults with or without NDIS plans.
The NDIS has always promoted “CHOICE and CONTROL”. Is eliminating accredited and valued animal assisted therapies providing choice and control? No, it is not. Experience has highlighted that families seek and need to have access, choice and control, to a variety of services that will cater for their individual needs. Our community has limited services and waiting lists for therapy supports. Animal assisted therapies should be available for NDIS participants.
As an advocate for people with disabilities and their families, I am passionate about animal assisted therapies and the new role I will have in our community. The benefits of animals supporting the healing and learning process for all humans, cannot be denied.
NDIS participants have a right to access all therapies and supports that are available to people without a disability. It’s as simple as that.
I appreciate your time and consideration and respectfully request that this submission is taken very seriously. Animal assisted therapies, and in my case, Equine Assisted Therapy should continue to be funded by the NDIS.
Kind Regards,