Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Bill 2012.

Townsville, Queensland.

Presented by Ric Thompson, Coordinator, Inclusion Works, Townsville.

It is with great pleasure that Inclusion Works Association Inc. be given this opportunity to share our thoughts regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Background:

Inclusion Works, is a small community building service, which has served the townsville community for the past 20 years. Its mission is to “Help build better communities through the inclusion of people with a disability”. Our interest and support of the NDIS is based on many of the shared principles and practice promoted by the NDIS . We also welcome this opportunity to share our thoughts in regards to how well the NDIS will work with us in partnership, especially in the identified areas of Tier 1 and 2 and in so doing help build better communities through the inclusion of people with a disability.

Further and more detailed information regarding Inclusion Works is available on our website, being www.inclusionwork.org.au

                 Things That We Know!

What we know.

- Many individuals with a disability whether they require minimum, moderate
  or high support live, lonely isolated lives, disconnected from their
  community, therefore being denied the benefits of their community. (Please
    refer to the attachment - NICAN CARD which clearly and powerfully
    illustrates the consequence of community exclusion, whilst also highlighting
   the benefits of community participation and membership).
- Many individuals with a disability, despite being in receipt of “care and
   support” packages” remain relationship poor and service dependent. Human
   services are at risk of unconsciously and even consciously creating a culture
   of dependency in the lives of individuals with a disability, therefore
   restricting the opportunity for true community inclusion to evolve. The
  concept raised within the NDIS proposal of services being required to

demonstrate the value of what they do and how they do it so that they may “keep their customers” may work against the pursuit of true community inclusion , free of service dependency.

3. Government alone will not meet the many complex and unique needs of individuals with a disability, their families, carers and other relevant and significant stakeholders.

4. The NDIS proposal is very good but not capable or appropriate to meet the needs of all individuals with a disability and the daily life circumstances they face. If this is to be the case, the question that needs to be asked early is “Who is to be served by the NDIS and more importantly who isn’t and who will be required and funded to meet the unique and real needs of individuals with a disability identified as not eligible?

Yet, What We Also Know.

5. Many individuals with a disability have established strong interdependent relationships within their community, resulting in both economic and social benefits to all. These outcomes have been greatly assisted by way of a deliberate and planned approach, calling upon proven methods of successful community engagement. The model both designed and called upon by Inclusion Works is attached (IW Model), this model reflects clearly the Mission, Foundation Principles and Practice necessary for successful community inclusion to be present.. In addition a copy of a story shared with myself back in June 1985 (Communities that Help People) by Prof John McKnight clearly illustrates the full power and potential of community. Inclusion Works has helped foster similar outcomes for over 250 individuals with a disability resulting in the building of a better Townsville community..

6. The identification, development and securing of a “good life” goes beyond that of basic care and support. Yet with the “right program/response”, being offered to the “right person”, by the “right people”, in the “right way” and consistently so a “good life” is able to evolve and be maintained. This requires a planned, coordinated and flexible response by all stakeholders, whether they be individuals with a disability, family members, carers, services (both specialist and mainstream), community and funding bodies. The complexity of this smorgasbord of needs being required to be met is illustrated in the attached visual portrayal (Model Coherency IW) representing a service planning and evaluation tool known as Model Coherency analysis/construction.

7. The identified principles and practice of the NDIS are to be applauded, yet it is at risk of failure if it alone is deemed as the only model of individualized support available. Despite the reservations of “block funding” there is a need for some “block funding” responses to be both maintained and even developed further. Such as, but not limited to, advocacy, respite, emergency response, education and training and short term support services. The Inclusion Works model is based on the fact that it operates by way of time limited individual, family and community support along with and supported

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by the facilitating of education and training events, facilitating community education and community development initiatives around the common theme of the building of better communities through the inclusion of people with a disability. These integrated activities can only work within a “block funded” arrangement. The existing model of service would not be viable on an ongoing basis if it was dependent on a “fee for service” arrangement. It should be noted though that the focus of our work is very much in harmony with meeting some of the needs of both Tier 1 and Tier 2 within the NDIS model.

Therefore we believe:

8. That there is value in assisting by way of providing information, coaching, mentoring and evaluation strategies to individuals with a disability, their families/carers, services (both specialist and mainstream) and the wider community so that economic and social benefits are experienced by all.

9. That the NDIS assessment process has the opportunity to redefine the meaning of needs from that of deficit thinking, in other words, what has historically been perceived as missing or broken in a person’s life, to also include an asset approach whereby the unique gifts, talents and contributions of each individual is acknowledged and opportunities (and funding provided whereby these gifts can be called upon and valued by the community.

10. The pursuit and attainment of both economic and social benefits is only possible when all stakeholders identify , acknowledge and call upon the benefits of community. This may and will require an approach that is both person-centered as well as community centered. At this point in time there is little recognition, yet alone costing to enable serious community work to take place within the NDIS. Please refer to Attachment “Senators Inquiry” for a clear portrayal of the need for community work to be present.

11. That over a 20 year period Inclusion Works has recognized the value of block funding in enabling it to:

a) Respond quickly to the community inclusion needs of individuals with a disability in a time limited manner resulting in the individual being free of service dependency.

b) Respond quickly to the support needs of the community in their welcoming, supporting and celebrating of the gifts, talents and contributions of individuals with a disability.

c) Offering of focused education and training opportunities for individuals with a disability, family members, carers, services (both specialist and mainstream) and the wider community on how they can contribute to the building of better communities through the inclusion of people with a disability.

d) Facilitation of appropriate community development opportunities for example with Local Government, whereby community inclusion opportunities are maximized. We would welcome the opportunity to be in a position to continue our work.

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Inclusion Works wishes to build upon the vision of the NDIS by inviting in “community” to be part of the process and in so doing contribute to the increasing of both economic and social benefits for all.

If I can be of any further assistance to the Inquiry, please don’t hesitate to contact:

Ric Thompson

Coordinator

Inclusion Works Assoc Inc.

PO BOX 1066

Townsville, QLD 4810

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