NDIA Accountability Project

Concerns about NDIS funding for son with severe disability

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

Submission 273

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (2nd Inquiry)

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

In the first Inquiry I raised a number of issues which exist in the practical workings of the legislation that directly marginalizes NDIS Participants and reduces choice and control. I referred to citizenship and Governments’ “Adverse Action” this is particularly pertinent given Senator Linda Reynolds politicizing of this issue and its relevance in the up-and-coming election.

Again, I mention that I pitched some documents to Rebecca Falkingham which she insisted I send; I still have not heard from her office.

I don’t know how to get your attention without name dropping but I have had extensive experience in the sector and been published by Dr Simon Duffy.

The current function of our bureaucracy and “whole of government legislations” have been slow to include people with disability. It is important to understand that many NDIS Participants are totally dependent upon NDIS supports. I say this because our son is one of these people and it is very distressing to see that a strong compliance is put upon the NDIS Participant (who has a “protected Attribute”) but poor accountability is placed on practical implementation and/or Service Provision - the dynamics in this document address this.

I do not expect to have to fight for our sons funding to continue; and for families who have severely disabled children there is no comfort left and no trust remaining - I would like to suggest:

(i)   That Allied Health Supports and specified individual supports should be attributed to the NDIS Participants’ Plan via modules or blocks. These modules relate directly to the NDIS Participants NDIS Goals.
    
(ii)   All funding under the NDIS is funded based on these modules.
    
(iii)  Reform/change of circumstances is dictated by a change in modules

As such any Review of supports is a review of the specific modules and the NDIS Participants NDIS goals. Therefore, when a NDIS Participants circumstances change the modules change to meet the goals that change or grow. This means that while the supports are NDIS Participant specific; engagement with the NDIS Participant is simplified.

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

Submission 273

(iv) As such the premise of Plan development is developed between the NDIS Navigator (for want of another term) and the Service Provider who has tendered the service.

(v) Choice and Control is maintained – where the NDIS Participant’s preferred workers or Service Providers can tender for services.

By departmentalising funding relative to needs/goals via modules, a closer relationship will exist between the funding, practical application and outcomes.

(vi) Furthermore, the modules enable an accountability and a brokerage component. These modules can be made available for Service Providers to pitch for and provide costs of implementation and service.

(vii) Accountability: The Service Agreements for these modules (written by the Service Provider) implemented by Service Providers will need to be approved by the NDIS Navigator. This means that the Navigator can ensure the compliance is true and symbiotic to the Service Provider and the NDIS Participant.

(viii) As such compliance within the disability sector of individual workers and Service Providers is monitored and regulated via this engagement.

As in the previous submission; I am experienced in disability and with the issues with the NDIS. I am in strong favour of this reform but I am also seeing that due process is not being followed to help convey a simpler understanding of what the Bill. is going to mean to NDIS Participants. I understand that the NDIS is growing too rapidly.

I don’t know why this Bill. hasn’t been provided in Easy Read English if you are serious about engagement. This was a request I raised with the Community Affairs Committee. They told me that once the Bill. is past an Easy Read English version will be made available. (where is it now!)

Clicking on the government website for “Pa110 – 8 amendments passed house, sk113- explains 1- 21 that have passed the house” took me HERE:

Our services aren’t available right now We’re working to restore all services as soon as possible. Please check back soon. 20240717T112841Z- 15fcf976dc4vqwvh0hhq3efaf800000001k0000000009zkm

I do not expect to have to fight for our sons funding to continue; and for families who have severely disabled children there is no comfort left and no trust remaining

I see that implementing more state-run supports such as Early Intervention also raises concerns given that the NDIS is primarily a funded system so farming out disability supports which are more state funded; where is this funding coming from?