NDIA Accountability Project

NDIS service provision for LGBTQI Territorians with psychosocial disabilities

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Rainbow Territory aims to develop a safer, fairer and a more inclusive Northern Territory.

Committee Secretariat

Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme

PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 By email: ndis.sen@aph.gov.au

27 February 2017 Dear Committee Secretary,

INQUIRY INTO THE PROVISION OF SERVICES UNDER THE NDIS FOR PEOPLE WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITIES RELATED TO A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION CLOSING DATE: MONDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2017

Introduction We write on behalf of Rainbow Territory, a community group formed in September 2014 to advocate for the human rights of Northern Territorians who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex (‘LGBTQI’).

1. Background We note the terms of reference of this inquiry, as set out in the body of this position. We support the submission from NT Council of Social Services.

2. LGBTQI people in the Northern Territory to provide appropriate psychosocial responses to LGBTQI Territorians, it is vital to highlight the intersections that exist within the LGBTQI population. Anecdotally, it can be said that within the LGBTQI population of the Northern Territory, there are individuals:

  • Who do not have access to local face to face specific LGBTQI services for psychosocial disability
  • Who experience high levels of stigma, discrimination and human rights abuses
  • Who as children, young people or adults are survivors of violence in their families of origin that may or may not be ongoing or intergenerational

  • Who as children or young people who have experienced homophobic or transphobic motivated emotional and/or physical abuse from family member/s

  • Who as young people or adults experience violence in their intimate personal relationships

  • Who are Indigenous and experience racism and poverty in addition to having a psychosocial and or other disability

  • Who are from culturally and linguistically diverse (‘CALD’) backgrounds and may experience homophobia, gender discrimination and negative stereotypes from their culture of origin in addition to LGBTI discrimination

  • Who may or may not be ‘out’ as an LGBTI person.

  1. LGBTQI people and mental health

Although most Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) Australians live healthy and happy lives, research has demonstrated that a disproportionate number experience poorer mental health outcomes and have higher risk of suicidal behaviours than their peers. These health outcomes are directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse on the basis of being LGBTI.1

  1. Summary

Rainbow Territory is of the position that the NDIS should be accessible and safe for LGBTQI Territorians, especially those with psychosocial disabilities.

  1. Recommendations

RECOMMENDATION 1

We recommend, and submit that LGBTQI identifying people should be regarded as a vulnerable group considering the historic and current disadvantage faced by the community, and the impact this has on LGBTQI people accessing services.

RECOMMENDATION 2

That the development of NDIS service delivery protocols should occur in consultation with LGBTQI people and communities.

RECOMMENDATION 3

That NDIS service providers are trained in LGBTI Cultural Competency2 by an LGBTQI specialist agency.

RECOMMENDATION 4

That NDIS service delivery protocols are developed in line with contemporary evidence-based health practices and strategies for LGBTQI people for example, the National LGBTI Health Alliance National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersect Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Strategy3

RECOMMENDATION 5

That the NDIS approach to psychosocial disability service provision be informed by research from the LGBTI Health Alliance4

RECOMMENDATION 6

That the NDIS operates with LGBTQI inclusive language5

RECOMMENDATION 7

That NDIS service providers are Rainbow Tick accredited6

6. Conclusion

Rainbow Territory welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the NDIS. Rainbow Territory has made a number of recommendations in order to best meet the needs of LGBTQI Territorians.

We believe that it is critical for the NDIS to provide LGBTQI friendly and competent service delivery to ensure that the NDIS is safe and accessible for all LGBTQI Territorians, especially those with psychosocial disabilities. Further correspondence with Rainbow Territory would be welcomed. Please contact us via

Yours faithfully,

On behalf of Rainbow Territory

3 National LGBTI Health Alliance National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender And Intersex Mental Health And Suicide Prevention Strategy: A New Strategy For Inclusion And Action http://lgbtihealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/LGBTI_Report_MentalHealthandSuicidePrevention_Final_Low-Res-WEB-1.pdf

4The Statistics At A Glance: The Mental Health Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender And Intersect People In Australia http://lgbtihealth.org.au/statistics/ 5 National LGBTI Health Alliance Inclusive Language Guide: Respecting people of intersex, trans and gender diverse experience http://lgbtihealth.org.au/sites/default/files/Alliance%20Health%20Information%20Sheet%20Inclusive%20Languag e%20Guide%20on%20Intersex%2C%20Trans%20and%20Gender%20Diversity_0.pdf 6 Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) and Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) http://www.qip.com.au/standards/rainbow-tick-standards/