NDIS – Now you see it … Now you don’t!

As if having a disability isn’t hard enough!

With more of the deflections and distractions occurring in Canberra this week, over 430,000 Australians living with a disability and their carers are about to start having to justify their worth yet again to the Australian Government for support.  The support they are entitled to receive in order to live a full, functioning life – as all Australians deserve.

A recent 300 page confidential draft of proposed legislative changes to the NDIS that was leaked to The Sydney Morning Herald, highlights existing support services, assessment criteria and processes (to name a few) that are set to be removed and/or redefined which will create further difficulty for both existing NDIS recipients and future applicants.

Having had both direct and indirect experience with the processes and support the NDIS provides, this latest proposal concerns me greatly.  I have friends who, through no fault of their own, have become permanently disabled and I have watched them suffer further as they and their carers have struggled to navigate the system.  Their mental health has suffered as they have worked to ‘justify their position.  Having said that, I have also witnessed that once through the ‘red tape train’, the support and services have been impressive.  For these examples, my observation is that reform on process and consultation with direct stakeholders to create that reform would be a solution.

I’ve also spoken with allied services including swimming centres who have NDIS children weekly for their health classes.  I’ve seen the children and the joy and results they receive from this wonderful support.  However, the centres themselves speak of major challenges directly with the NDIS admin when attempting to get the approved remuneration. Again, I would suggest this is a reform issue not a ‘take this away from the legislation’ issue.

The report speaks of a perceived ‘benefit’ by removing various assessment processes and applying a ‘one size fits all approach with department psychologists and staff.  I have direct experience in this area.  This is NOT a solution.  For a child (or even an adult) to receive an Autistic and Spectrum assessment, for example, in South Australia, the waiting list is currently 12-15 months with a fee of approximately $500.  There is the option to have a private assessment with registered Autistic Spectrum Psychologists & Speech Therapists which can be done within 4 weeks at a fee of approximately $1200.