GETTING READY FOR THE NDIS The NDIS is a new way of providing support for people with disability, their families and carers. About 460,000 Australians will be supported through the NDIS by 2019. The NDIS is already improving the lives of participants, their families and carers. People with disability are living more independent lives, engaging with their community, enrolling in education and entering the workforce. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the Agency charged with delivering the NDIS, which is currently tracking on time and on budget, and most importantly, to high levels of participant satisfaction.
Australians that are enjoying an ordinary life. If people with disability are supported to have relationships, belong, make decisions, be active in the community and make a contribution in the workforce, they will experience what most Australians take for granted. As an insurance scheme, the NDIS provides peace of mind. Disability can affect anyone and the NDIS ensures that everyone will be covered. It takes a lifetime approach, meaning it invests in an individual early on for as long as they need it, to improve their life and increase their social participation.
Close to 30,000 Australians with disability are now receiving the supports they need to live more independent lives. At the NDIA, we know that families and carers play an irreplaceable role in the lives of family members with disability. We know that families and carers give love, care and support to their family member and do whatever they need to do to make sure their family member has the best opportunities in life.
Importantly, the NDIS also raises awareness about the needs and rights of people with disability and will contribute to delivering societal change. The NDIS is central to demonstrating Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is also a critical part of the National Disability Strategy, which brings community, government and industry together to address the challenges faced by people with disability. The NDIS is being introduced in stages around the country over the next three years to ensure it is successful and sustainable. Sustainability is key to ensuring the Scheme will continue to support Australians with disabilities for generations to come. For families and carers, there will be certainty of
The notion of an ‘ordinary life’, rich in choice and control, underpins the design of the NDIS. Reasonable and necessary supports funded through the NDIS are aimed at bridging the gap between the life being led by a person with disability and other 1
support when they can no longer care for a loved one with disability. For all Australians there is the knowledge that the NDIS will be there if they, or their children or grandchildren need it.
new provider in the disability sector they can. The NDIS works individually with people with disability because we know each person has different needs, preferences and aspirations. We will be working with all Australians with a disability and understand that some people will face some challenges especially in remote and rural areas. We are consulting communities and support providers to ensure all people living in rural and remote areas can access the services they need.
The timing and roll out of the NDIS is guided by agreements made between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments, so the transition will be slightly different depending on where you live. The transition phase is a unique period for the NDIS as there are a large number of people joining the Scheme during a short period of time. The focus for the Agency is on a smooth transition and we are working closely with Commonwealth and state and territory governments to make this happen. Things won’t be perfect immediately, but we will continue to listen, learn and improve as the NDIS grows.
The opportunities that the NDIS will bring extend beyond people with disability, their families and carers. The workforce needed to service this new market is expected to grow by around 60,000 to 70,000 people. For business, including the not-for-profit sector, the NDIS is a major growth opportunity. The NDIS is in the national interest, and a smart investment. Doing nothing will be more costly. Each participant has control over the services and supports they receive. Services are individualised and decentralised, with local area coordination of locally-based care. Support through the NDIS will be nationally consistent and portable. That means if a person with a disability wants to move to another state with their family, their entitlement to the NDIS – and therefore the level and standard of care they receive – will move with them. If a person with a disability wants to choose to receive services from a
We’re working with well-known community based organisations to deliver Local Area Coordination (LAC) services. Local Area Coordinators will support some participants and their families to join in and contribute to the life of their community and assist with the planning process, plan implementation and community participation. LACs will also deliver some activities to people who are not eligible for the Scheme and in building community capacity to be inclusive.
With all states and territories now committed to the NDIS the NDIA is calling on communities, businesses and people right across Australia to get #ndisready. From 1 July, the NDIS will begin to roll out nationally in seven states and territories, with transition to full scheme to commence in Western Australian from 1 July, 2017 once an agreement is finalised between the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments. With the support of the NDIS, people with disability are living more independent lives, engaging with their community, enrolling in education, entering the workforce for the first time or returning to work, and receiving the services and equipment they need. It is an exciting time to be an Australian. It’s an even
2
People with disability, their families and carers can start to get ready for the NDIS by: 1. Finding out when the NDIS is coming to your area. 2. Learn if you might be able to access the NDIS. 3. Think about your life now, your current informal and formal supports, and what is working and what might need to change. 4. Identify your strengths, interests, challenges and consider your goals or what you might want to achieve. 5. Write these things down and collect any reports, assessments or information you might find helpful for when the NDIS comes to you. more exciting time to be an Australian with a disability. It’s exciting because – after years of campaigning, designing, planning and piloting – we are about to move into the full rollout stage of the NDIS. It’s exciting because, at long last, people with disability will have the opportunity of an ordinary life. More information and resources to help you get NDIS ready is available at: www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-ready David Bowen is the inaugural CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency. He has worked as a consultant to the insurance industry and health and disability sector. David has been actively involved in development of the disability reform program, being a member of the Independent Panel advising the Productivity Commission in its inquiry into the feasibility of a National Disability Insurance Scheme and as initial chair, and ongoing member of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Advisory Group. 3
Above // David Bowen, CEO, National Disability Insurance Agency.
NDIS Case Study: Kirby has choice and control
Canberran Kirby Turnbull is a 19-year-old girl whose interests include boys, shopping, music, and movies. Kirby has four older brothers and loves to socialise.
‘The boys are seeing their sister happy and my husband and I are now living the life that we never thought we would live. For us, it’s only been six months but it’s been freedom.’
Kirby has cerebral palsy and as a result of this has limited movement.
The Turnbull’s choose to self-direct Kirby’s plan and can pay providers directly for delivered supports.
Kirby’s mother says, ‘Before the NDIS came in we received no services, I never sought services out and they were never offered to me. ‘Being an Air Force family, we are never near extended family so we always have to rely heavily on ourselves. ‘Now I’ve gone from being a full-time carer to being a mum, and that is the greatest gift you can get.
The plan gives choice and control over who is caring for Kirby and allows her to engage in new activities; so important now that she has finished high school. An up-to-date eye-gaze device and access to a speech pathologist are improving Kirby’s communications with others, and access to support workers is enabling her to go with her friends to karaoke, tenpin bowling, the movies and for walks out and about in the community.
© Carers Association Victoria 2016. This interview was prepared by Carers Victoria.This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Marketing and Communications Team, Carers Victoria, PO Box 2204, Footscray, Victoria, 3011 or by email to publications@carersvictoria.org.au.