Reach Out, April 2016, isue 103

Personal Stories
Just Between Us
The National Disability
Insurance Scheme
In each issue of Reach Out we ask the TSC Community to share
their experiences with an aspect of life with TSC. This issue
we’re tackling the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Not everyone with TSC will have a disability. But for many
that do, their needs are complex and the NDIS brings major
change to the way that disability services are funded and provided
in most parts of Australia.
At the time of writing the NDIS continued to be debated in
both federal and state politics. In talking to families about their
experiences with the NDIS rollout some are very positive, some
are quite negative. It is clear that such a significant change is not
going to be totally smooth sailing. We hope that the information
in this article is helpful to you and your families as you transition
to a new way of providing support to people with a disability to
dream and achieve their goals.
About the NDIS
This information has been re-printed from the available information
at www.ndis.gov.au.
NDIS is a national scheme to provide targeted support and
better coordination and access to services for people with disabilities.
It’s a single national system, which means regardless of what
kind of disability you have and where you live, you will be able to
equally access existing services.
The choice and control the NDIS offers means you can work
with your own carers or with registered external carers and supports.
You and your family will have more control over choosing
the services that work best for you and get the support you need.
The NDIS supports people with a permanent and significant
disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities.
It also focuses on early intervention where getting early supports
can reduce the impact of disability on you or your child.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent
statutory agency. Their role is to implement the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will support a better
life for hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant
and permanent disability and their families and carers.
So how is the NDIS different?
It’s about a new way of talking with and listening to people with a
disability, and working out the kinds of supports they need to live
their life, and their family’s life, the way they want to live it. The
NDIS can help you achieve goals in many aspects of your life. It’s
about your choices, the decisions you and your loved one’s make,
your involvement in your community, your education, your employment.
It’s about your overall health and wellbeing and greater
participation in a more inclusive community.
The greatest strength of the NDIS is that it puts choice and
control over the support you receive in your hands. Through
personal, individualised planning and co-ordination – connecting
the information, access and support you and your family or carers
need to how you hope to live your life – the NDIS will improve the
lives of people with disability and their families. It’s your life, your
plan, your future. The NDIS exists to make sure you can choose
and control the ways your plan works to support you to live the
life you want.
The NDIS will look at the supports you currently receive and
how well they are working for you. This may include your family,
friends, mainstream or other community services. An NDIS
planner will help you bring it all together. It is the planner’s job to
assist you put in place the disability support arrangement you will
need to live a better life. With a planner’s help you think about
what you’re current and future needs and goals are; you can plan
for your immediate and longer term needs and as your circumstances
change over time the planner can help you to make the
changes that suit you as an individual.
A plan of supports tailored to your individual needs will be
developed to help you achieve your goals. This could include your
existing supports if you are happy with your arrangements and if
they meet your needs and goals. Assistance from the NDIS is not
means tested and has no impact on income support such as the
disability support pension and carers allowance.
Some specific examples of support and services
• Work and study
• Mobility and technological aids
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Reach
Out
APRIL 2016 ISSUE 103