NDIA Accountability Project

Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and inadequate disability support needs

‹ PrevPage 1 of 2 · Source p. 1Next ›

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

Submission 207

Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

(Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Date: 11 July 2024

To the Committee Chair and Members,

I am a self-managed NDIS participant. I have had Multiple Sclerosis for 34 years, and especially over the last 10 years my mobility, spasticity, fatigue and ability to do many activities of daily living and social & community participation have worsened progressively and significantly.

This is my second submission regarding this Bill. Please also note my earlier submission on 12 June 2024, submission number 186 name withheld.

Whilst there have since been multiple amendments made to the Bill since my last submission, I still have concerns. I want to respond to the proposed changes to the NDIS Bill. The following are some of my major concerns;

  • I am concerned that the proposed changes will not adequately assess and fund my disability support needs, leaving me at risk and without adequate supports.

  • Funding will only be provided for impairment(s) that meet the disability and/or early intervention requirements. However, there is no requirement to disclose this to the participant. This Bill must require the NDIA to inform a participant which of their impairment(s) the NDIA considers meet these requirements. This is important as it underpins a participants plan funding and needs assessment. Once participants receive this information, they must also have an opportunity to correct it where necessary. The Bill should ensure that participants have clear rights to address errors in the NDIA’s assessment of which of their impairment(s) meet the relevant criteria.

  • Co-design is Not Guaranteed in this amendment to the Bill: Whilst the Minister must “consider co-design principles”, this is not a legal requirement. This means decisions, tools, rules and methods may not fully reflect the needs of participants. Genuine co-design should be legislated within the Bill.

  • No Whole-of-Person Approach: The Bill may not fully account for people with multiple and interrelated disabilities, risking inadequate support that is not tailored to their unique situation.

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

Submission 207

  • Unclar Review and AppeaRights: The Bil must clear articulat how a participant can challege ther nee assessmen o reques a replacemen i it doesn’t me et heir acual ne e s.

  • Mandator Assessement: Th NDIA ca reque par tici pant to underg mandato ry medical ass essments at th er request. These may costly an di_icult to obtain, which cou ld delay or complicate a partic ipant’s accessto necessar y supports .

-Limits on Supports and Spending: The Bi ll gives the ND IA too much power to control ho w participants use their funding, reducing participant choice and control.

I do not suppor t the B ill in its current form. Passing of this Bill will result insignificant detriment to people with disability who need certainty of continuity of support.