Disability Support Guide Eastern Australia (ACT/NSW/QLD/TAS/VIC) 2022/23

Use

In

Contents

From the Managing Editor 2

Start your NDIS journey - flow chart 4

Purpose of this Guide/How to use 5

About disability support services 6

Types of disabilities 8

Disability at different ages 10

Understanding the NDIS 16

Eligibility 17

How to apply for the NDIS 17

Partners of the NDIS 18

Early intervention under NDIS 19

Planning meeting and your first plan 21

Planning meeting checklist 26 -27

What support can I get? 28

What is Core support? 29

What is Capital support? 30

What is Capacity building support? 31

Managing your plan 36

NDIS pricing 39

Financial support 41

Education 42

Employment and volunteering options 43

Accessible transport 44

Disability advocates 45 Carer support 46

In Home & Community Support 48D

In Home & Community Support Directory 59 -116

Therapist & Specialists 117

Therapists & Specialist Directory 123 -142

Accommodation 143

Accommodation Directory 152 -176 Advisors 177 Advisors Directory 184 -232 Equipment & Technology 233 Equipment & Technology Directory 242 -250 Mental Health 251 Mental Health Directory 255 -263 Resources 264

Definitions & terms 264

Abbreviations 265

National useful phone

ACT useful

NSW useful phone

ACT/NSW region

QLD useful phone numbers

QLD region

TAS

VIC

VIC

266

267

267, 268, 270

269

271, 273

272

274

275

276, 278

277

279

280

Stephen’s

Accessible

-

sport 14-15

34-35

148-149

238-239

Disability Support Guide

Eastern Australia (ACT/NSW/QLD/TAS/VIC) 2022/23

Printed September 2022

RRP $12.95, inc GST

Managing Editor

Margot White margot.white@dps.com.au

Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Beech

From the Managing Editor

It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Disability Support Guide Eastern Australia 2022/23

A publication to help you find your way through the many different options and considerations when learning about and searching for disability support.

You may be on the search for information about disabilities or trying to find out how to access Government funding. Or you may be looking to find local support services to help out at home, develop new skills or help you be part of the community when living with disability.

As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and confused by the enormous amount of information, as well as the long journey, from the first inkling at two and a half that ‘something wasn’t right’, to an official diagnosis just shy of his eighth birthday.

DPS Publishing Pty Ltd

ABN 53 090 793 730

145 South Tce, Adelaide SA 5000 1300 186 688 info@disabilitysupportguide.com.au DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Advertising sales@dps.com.au 1300 186 688

Distribution distribution@dps.com.au 1300 186 688

Proudly produced and printed in Australia

The factual material contained in this publication has been obtained from information supplied by government departments, industry and organisations, by personal interview and by telephone and correspondence. At the time of going to press the publisher believed that all information submitted for publication was accurate and complete. However, the publisher can take no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information that may have been supplied to them in the course of their enquiries detailed above. The facts published indicate the result of those enquiries and no warranty as to their accuracy can be given.

Images within this publication may have been altered from their original format.

Images: Shutterstock.com

© Copyright. No part of this publication can be used or reproduced in any format without express permission in writing from The Publisher.

® Disability Support Guide trademark, DPS Guide to Disability Support is pending registration.

Having experienced the long road of countless visits to specialists and therapists, going through numerous assessments in search for a diagnosis, then working through all the different support options out there and finding the best one for us while trying to access the NDIS and preparing for our first plan, I know just how much a support guide like our Disability Support Guide can help.

The disability journey is unique to each and every person and their family and carers, and we know that everyone enters the path of information gathering and decision making at different stages. But, for almost everyone on the disability journey, one thing is clear: navigating the maze of disability support services can be overwhelming and every situation is unique.

In a time when emotions are high and you really should be able to focus your attention on making sure you and your loved one receive the best supports possible, you shouldn’t have to spend endless hours researching how an occupational therapist can help your child or who to contact for information about modifying your home to help you live independently.

With the knowledge that no two people face the same challenges or have the same needs, and knowing the importance of being able to find the best support for your circumstances in order to make informed choices, we have developed this Guide alongside our online resource DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au.

We have collected all the information you need in one go-to-place, explaining what is involved and what you can expect. Amongst the information you’ll also find a handful of case studies from people who have travelled the road to supports before you and were willing to share their experiences.

On top of that we have included an extensive list of service providers to help you reach your goals and live your best life with the right supports in place.

So, whether you are searching for yourself, a child, a partner, parent, friend or other loved one, the Disability Support Guide is here to help you live your best life with the right supports and information.

And when you’re ready to share the story of your disability journey please contact me on 08 8276 7999 or send me an email at margot.white@dps.com.au.

Margot White – Managing Editor

Disability

Purpose of this Guide

The number of Australians living with disability under the age of 65 is growing and the number of people receiving support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is more than 500,000.

Most importantly, the NDIS gives you more choice and control over the supports you receive.

In 2018, DPS Publishing made the decision to apply their more than 20 years knowledge of providing the Aged Care Guide into a State and Territory focused guide for disability, and launched the Disability Support Guide

Just like the much-loved Aged Care Guide, the Disability Support Guide is a starting point for people with disability, their families, carers and even service providers, no matter what stage of the journey you are at.

The Australian Government is working with the disability sector to improve and set up supports for those in need now and into the future.

The NDIS was first trialled in 2013, before gradually rolling out nationally between 2016-2020.

The national program provides support for people with disability, their families and carers and aims to build skills and capability so you can participate in your community.

How to use the Guide

Inside these pages, you’ll find relevant, up-todate and accurate information to assist you on your journey. From navigating the NDIS and learning about the different types of disabilities, right through to finding disability supports that suit your needs.

In the first part of the Guide you will find information articles on a range of topics, alongside inspiring feature stories from fellow Australians who share their journey of navigating the system and seeking disability supports for themselves or their loved one.

It will help you navigate and understand your needs and position in what is often a confusing and overwhelming time, and help create some order among the confusion.

In the back half of the book, starting from page 48D, you’ll find six sections covering In Home & Community Support, Therapists & Specialists, Accommodation, Advisors, Equipment & Technology and Mental Health. These sections provide useful information about some of the most commonly searched support services.

These colour coded sections also include directory tables of a number of providers that have verified their listings with DPS, indicating that they deliver services in Eastern Australia.

In this Guide you’ll find relevant, up-to-date and accurate information to assist you on your journey

The tables are particularly handy for discovering the specific supports different disability providers offer, if they deliver their services in a practice or can come to you, as well as what age groups they focus on.

To get an understanding of how to read the tables go to page 279

In the ‘Resources’ section, starting on page 264, you’ll also find State and Territory specific information such as useful phone numbers and region maps.

The printed Disability Support Guide also interconnects with our online resource: DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Here you can find a complete overview of providers and services registered for each State and Territory.

Type the listed ‘DSG Web ID’ from any provider inside the Guide in the search bar on the homepage, to locate more information about who they are and what they offer.

About disability support services

For some people with disability life can be made easier when they have access to support. In Australia, there are lots of support options available, depending on the type of disability that you have and where you live.

There is also support available to help your carer look after you or to help them when they are unable to support you because of illness or if they need to take a break.

You can read more about carer support on page 46.

Formal supports

There is a large range of for-profit and not-for-profit disability support services in Eastern Australia that can provide support for people with disability. These range from smaller organisations such as local churches and community organisations to larger national operators.

Informal support

One of the most commonly used types of disability support is informal support. Any help you’re receiving from family, friends and social networks and that you’re not paying for is considered informal support.

If you are using informal support it can still be useful to have a system in place, such as a calendar or spreadsheet, to coordinate who helps out with what and when, to ensure you have support when you need it.

Formal supports can be a good way to get focused assistance, such as medical support, therapies, domestic assistance or personal care, provided by experienced and trained support workers.

Discover a range of formal disability support providers and services in the directory section starting on page 48D or head to DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Government funded services

If you have a disability you may be eligible for disability support through Government funded services.

This can range from in home support, such as domestic assistance, through to support in other ways such as disability support officers to help young people navigate school and family situations or accessing respite away from home.

The Government also provides funding to access groups that can provide social support for people with disability, their parents and carers. This can be an important aspect of helping people with disability enjoy a fulfilling life, including being able to interact with peers to the best of their ability.

If you are not sure about what sort of services you or the person you care for could benefit from, it can be worth speaking to your doctor. They can help you to design a care and support plan taking into account your current and future needs. They can also direct you to local service providers.

National Standards

To help ensure you are accessing the same disability services and support as everyone else right across the nation, the Australian Government has created some guidelines known as the National Standards for Disability Services. Designed with the help of people with disability, families, friends, carers, service providers, advocacy organisations and peak disability bodies, the National Standards focus on the rights and outcomes of people with disability by encouraging choice and control.

The National Standards also help maintain the quality of disability services by ensuring they:

1. Promote your individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decisionmaking, as well as actively prevent abuse, harm, neglect and violence against people with disability.

2. Work alongside you, your family, friends and carers to promote opportunities for meaningful participation and active inclusion in society.

3. Plan, deliver, assess and review services and supports to ensure they help you build on your strengths and reach your goals.

4. Seek regular feedback as a basis to inform individual and organisation-wide service reviews and improvement.

5. Manage the service in a transparent, fair, equal and responsive way.

6. Ensure effective and accountable service management and leadership to maximise outcomes for all individuals.

The National Standards are in place to make sure that people with disability are at the centre of the planning and delivery of support services so that you are given the opportunity to take control of your life.

Australia’s Disability Strategy

Like the National Standards for Disability Services, Australia’s Disability Strategy works to protect and promote your human rights.

The Strategy aims to improve the services and supports you access, address disability issues, guide Government activity across mainstream and disability specific areas of public policy and create a more inclusive Australia.

The Strategy has seven main focus areas:

and Financial Security

Homes and Communities

Rights and Justice

and Community Support

and Learning

and Wellbeing

Attitudes

the National Standards for Disability Services and Australia’s Disability Strategy aim to support you during all stages of your life by ensuring high-quality services are available to help you reach your potential within your local community.

The National Standards help maintain the quality of disability services and encourage choice and control for people with disability

Types of disabilities

In general, a disability is a physical, mental, cognitive or developmental condition that is likely to be permanent and impacts a person’s ability to engage or take part in everyday activities or interactions.

There are many different types of disabilities and each one can affect people in different ways. There are different causes of disability. The condition may be due to a genetic condition, the result of an injury or illness, or can be caused by complications during pregnancy or birth.

However, sometimes the reason for disability is simply unknown or can’t be determined.

The different types of disabilities can roughly be grouped into four main categories: physical, intellectual, sensory and mental health.

Physical disabilities

A physical disability involves long-term or permanent loss of part of your body’s physical function. It can affect your mobility, stamina or skills in performing tasks. Physical disabilities can be genetic and the result of something that happened during pregnancy or birth or can happen as part of an illness or injury.

Physical disabilities commonly involve impairments of the neuromusculoskeletal system, such as amputation, accident or injury, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, polio, respiratory disorders or spina bifida.

For more information on physical disabilities, visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Around one-third of Australian households include a person with disability

Intellectual disabilities

There is a wide range of intellectual disabilities and the level of disability can vary from person to person.

Somebody with an intellectual disability may think, learn or communicate differently which poses challenges in relationship building, education, behaviour, inclusion and employment.

Intellectual disabilities can be genetic or caused by complications during pregnancy or birth, through some illnesses, exposure to alcohol and drugs or after an accident.

The most common intellectual disabilities include autism, developmental delay, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum syndrome and fragile x syndrome.

To find out more about intellectual disabilities, visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Sensory disabilities

Every day we use our senses to understand the world around us. For someone with a sensory disability this is particularly difficult.

A sensory disability affects a person’s senses; their sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste or spacial awareness.

People with sensory disability may feel sensory input more or less intensely than other people which impacts on a person’s ability to interact in different environments and perform daily activities.

For people with sensory difficulties there are three main components:

⃝ Sensory modulation disorder is a problem with turning sensory messages into controlled behaviour that matches the nature and intensity of the sensory information. For example, over-reactions to touch, movement, sounds, odours and tastes can cause discomfort, avoidance, distractibility and anxiety.

⃝ Sensory-based motor disorder is a problem with stabilising, moving or planning a series of movements in response to sensory demands.

For example, deficits in balance, gross motor and fine motor coordination and the ability to perform skilled, familiar and/ or novel motor actions.

⃝ Sensory discrimination disorder is a problem with sensing similarities and differences between sensations. For example, incorrect processing of visual or auditory input, inattentiveness, disorganisation and poor school performance.

The most common sensory disabilities include autism, hearing impairment, sensory processing disorder and vision impairment.

For more information on sensory disabilities, visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Mental health

According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and is able to make a contribution to their community.

Severe mental health conditions can cause psychological disabilities. Someone living with a mental illness may withdraw from work, education and social activities as it affects thoughts, moods, behaviour and the way people perceive the world around them.

People with mental illness may require medication or regular psychological assessments to manage their condition.

It is important to remember not all mental health conditions are considered a disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, if the psychosocial disability is permanent or likely to be permanent, has a significant impact on the person’s everyday life and their ability to participate in the community and is likely to require lifelong support, they may receive NDIS support, providing they meet the other age and residency requirements.

Common mental health conditions include schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and depression.

To find out more about psychosocial disability, head to DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Someone with a sensory disability may feel sensory input more or less intensely than other people

Disability at different ages

Living life through different stages, from infancy to early childhood and primary school age, adolescence, adulthood and into old age, all have their own challenges and demands.

For a person with disability, going through these developmental transitions means that the focus and supports may change over time.

The focus of supports for a child with disability in primary school won’t be the same as for an adult. And a teenager on the path to independence has different challenges from a person with disability nearing the age of 65 who may be looking at a possible transition into aged care services.

To help you find age appropriate support, age groups are highlighted within each directory table in the second half of this Guide.

For preschool children with disability, early intervention is the best way to support their development

Preschool 0 - 4 years

The first few years of a child’s life are a very exciting time. As we watch them learn new things, discover the world and reach important milestones, it is an especially pivotal time for a child with special needs.

For preschool aged children with disability, early intervention is the best way to support their development. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development speak to your GP or paediatrician. They can monitor your child’s progress and direct you to other health services if needed.

Once your child has been diagnosed, your doctor can suggest therapies or services best suited to your child. Your therapy options could involve parent-child therapy, one-on-one intervention with a therapist or a group session with other children.

Early intervention will work best when tailored to your child’s individual needs with intensive early intervention proving the most effective. However, the quality of therapy is always better than the quantity.

Most therapies can be undertaken at a range of locations including in the comfort of your own home, in a therapist’s office, at child care or kindergarten or online via video conferencing.

Some common therapies for preschool aged children include occupational therapy for fine motor skills, physiotherapy for balance, sitting, crawling and walking, and speech therapy to help with speech, language and eating and drinking skills. Disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing and vision impairments may require specialised support.

A range of early intervention therapies are available through hospitals, community health centres, specialist disability services or early intervention services.

When choosing early intervention therapies and services for your child, make sure they are:

⃝ Family and child focused

Flexible and allow yourself and other family members to work alongside your child

Tailored to your child’s needs

Focused on the development of new skills

Well-structured and supportive

Proven effective through evidence-based research on real people

Developmentally appropriate with tailored plans and qualified staff

⃝ Monitoring progress regularly

⃝ Specifically designed for children with disability.

It’s important to remember every child is different and no single program will suit every child with disability and their family.

As a parent, it’s vital to do your research, ask questions and focus on what you want for you and your child, when planning their early intervention strategies.

You can find a range of support options in the directory tables starting on page 48D or visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Kids 5 12 years

Between the ages of five and 12, your child continues to grow and develop, their world gets bigger and they start to further expand important relationships outside the family environment.

Becoming independent, developing friendships, getting along with people and learning how to manage problems and conflicts can be challenging skills to master for children with disability.

Helping your child to work through those challenges and teaching them tools and strategies to manage different situations and people are important skills to develop during those years.

For many children with a disability, schooling can be a challenging time. However, there are a number of ways to make this easier and ensure they feel supported by parents, teachers and peers as they develop lifelong skills.

As a parent of a child with disability you are able to choose the best option for your child and your family, regardless of their disability. Besides choosing the type of school, there are other aspects to consider such as financial costs, accessibility and safety.

A range of disability support options are available to help your child throughout their schooling years, with most schools catering to children with disability. To find out more about educational support, turn to page 42.

Supports may change as your child gets older and you may want to check in with therapists and support services to make sure they still meet your child’s needs.

As your child approaches high school age, you may want to consider putting supports in place to assist with the transition from primary school to high school.

Adding community supports, such as local sporting clubs, community activities or support groups, can all be an extra social component that can benefit your child’s development at this age.

Getting your child the support they need as early as possible puts them in good stead for the future. You can find disability service providers offering a range of supports in the back half of this Guide starting on page 48D or visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au.

Every child is different and no single program will suit every child with disability and their family

Teenagers 13 -17 years

Transitioning to adulthood is a huge emotional and psychological step, where hormonal changes, secondary education and preparing for employment play a key role.

During this time, teenagers often feel selfconscious and pay particular attention to the views and opinions of those around them.

It is important for people with disability to have the necessary supports to navigate adolescence, learn life skills and find their way into becoming independent adults.

Challenges may arise during puberty with hormonal and body changes. There are a number of health workshops that can help people with disability and their families understand the changes that are taking place.

Government bodies also provide a myriad of information on adolescent issues for people with disability. Keeping an open line of communication between parents and doctors is just as important.

A number of programs are available to help with the transition of people with disability from high school to the workforce. Often these are run as vocational training, where students gain credit towards their high school accreditation through a work placement. This enables them to learn lifelong communication, teamwork and time management skills while building relationships with customers and colleagues. Most high schools also provide career counselling which can help people with disability decide on a career path, establish a plan and set goals for getting there.

For people with disability, the transition into adulthood can be daunting and overwhelming, but support from family, friends, colleagues and teachers, among other support staff, can help them reach their full potential.

For a list of support options go to the directory section of this Guide starting on page 48D or visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au

Adults 18 64 years

With some planning, support and encouragement most adults with disability can learn new skills, build relationships, be part of the community, and ultimately live a meaningful life.

Approximately one in six adults with disability live independently, and for those who don’t, an accommodation, support and financial plan needs to be put in place for when their parents or carers are unable to support them anymore.

Adults living with disability face a variety of challenges on a daily basis in the community and in the workplace. There may be barriers around attitude, communication or physical obstacles.

Alongside discrimination and accessibility, the main barrier adults with disability face is opportunities for employment.

Statistics show approximately 53% of people with a disability aged between 15 and 64 years

Challenges may arise during puberty with hormonal and body changes, stress and low self esteem

old are currently employed, compared to 83% of people without a disability.

The Department of Social Services’ Disability Employment Services (DES) offer employment assistance for job seekers with disability across a network of Australian organisations.

These organisations play a pivotal role in helping people with disability, injury or a health condition prepare, search for and maintain employment.

The Government’s Job Access initiative is a national hub providing information and resources to people with disability, employers and service providers.

Read more about employment and volunteering options on page 43.

Seniors 65+ years

Just over half of Australians aged over 65 years old live with a disability, with almost 20% of older Australians living with a profound or severe disability.

The likelihood of living with disability increases with age. Two out of five people with disability are aged 65 years or older, whereas almost nine in 10 people aged 90 and over (88%) have a disability.

If you became a participant of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) before you turned 65 years old, you can continue to receive services funded by the Scheme, as long as it meets your needs.

If you live in an area where NDIS is available but you are over 65 years old you will not be eligible for NDIS support. In this case the supports you have been receiving previously through a State or Territory funded disability support program will continue but they will be transferred to a national program called the Commonwealth Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme.

This program, run by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, will make sure you’ll receive ongoing support at the same level as before. Your fees won’t change and you can stay with the same service provider.

CoS provides accommodation support, community support such as counselling, therapy and behavioural support, community access such as life skills development and recreation programs and respite.

If you are not eligible for the CoS program and aged over 65 years old you may be eligible to receive assistance through Government funded aged care supports.

The AgedCareGuide.com.au website can help you find information about the different types of aged care options available, eligibility, referrals to service providers and the cost of your aged care support.

The printed Aged Care Guide offers detailed information about all Government and nonGovernment aged care options available, as well as a comprehensive list of home and aged care providers and retirement communities in Australia.

Order a copy of the Aged Care Guide for your State or Territory by visiting AgedCareGuide.com.au or call 1300 186 688.

Photo: Daryl Charles supplied by Eurella Community Services, NSW

Just over half of Australians aged 65 years and over live with a disability

Stephen’s storya dedicated leader with a passion for sport

Sport isn’t just a pastime for Stephen Lawley, it’s a way of life. He trains multiple times during the week, participates in competitions and attends meetings about how his sport is being run.

Through Special Olympics Australia, the national sporting organisation for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, Stephen has represented his home State of Queensland in National competitions over the past 20 years.

The mission of Special Olympics Australia is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympictype sports for children and adults with intellectual disability, giving them ongoing opportunities to develop

physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the community.

Stephen has competed in basketball, swimming, tennis, ten pin bowling and is currently preparing to compete in the 2022 Special Olympics Australia National Games, held in Launceston Tasmania in October, in his latest sport of golf.

The biggest goal Stephen has for his golfing career is to go a step further than he did with other sports.

“If I do well at Nationals in October I’d like to hopefully represent Australia,” says Stephen.

Growing up with sport

Stephen’s mother, Barbara, and his sister, Kim, played representative basketball and he grew up with sport being an important part of family life.

In 1995, the family heard about a local basketball program that might suit Stephen, but when they arrived at the recreation centre they found there was little structure to the program.

Kim says, “Within two weeks mum and I were helping coach and setting up some structure and then we developed it into a regular weekly basketball competition.”

And that’s where the involvement with Special Olympics began.

The leadership role

Aside from competing, Stephen is a dedicated leader with the organisation and represents his club and State on boards, like the national Athlete Input Council.

The Athlete Input Council is a forum for athletes to share their ideas and opinions about Special Olympics programs, giving them the opportunity to guide the running of the organisation, be role models and develop their own skills.

Stephen says it’s important that athletes take on leadership roles like he has, particularly if they are at the end of their sporting careers, because they have a lot of experience and knowledge they can contribute.

Having a leadership role also means they can continue to be involved in Special Olympics and sharing their valuable input after they have stopped playing sport.

“There’s other avenues to go into after you’ve completed your sport,” says Stephen.

“If I do well at Nationals in October I’d like to hopefully represent Australia”

Stephen’s latest competitive sport is golf Photo: Supplied

“We want to get the Special Olympics movement, even though it’s run by volunteers, . . . to have it run so that it benefits the athletes.”

He says the more that athletes are involved in leadership, the more the programs will benefit them.

Through his leadership Stephen has been working with Special Olympics Australia, alongside other athletes and volunteers, to build selection processes for competitions that reward dedication as well as natural talent.

As a result of this, selectors now consider the commitment and effort an athlete has shown as part of the selection process.

Stephen believes it is important that athletes who have shown dedication to their training and have worked hard are rewarded by being chosen to represent their local clubs, States and country over others around selection time.

Developing confidence

As part of his leadership activities Stephen has also had many opportunities to develop his independence, confidence and life skills.

One of his biggest achievements, Stephen says, was making a speech at the closing ceremony of the 2006 National Games on the Gold Coast - in front of 2,500 people.

He is now on a mission to encourage athletes to take control of the Special Olympics organisation, the way it is run and the programs offered by becoming leaders themselves.

“If I can do this then after your career this is something you can do,” he says. Stephen also encourages anyone who is interested to join a Special Olympics program, which could be a weekly community sports training, inclusive sport in schools, the Young Athletes early childhood play program or sports competitions such as State, National and World games. The programs can make much more of a difference than simply improving physical fitness for people with intellectual disability and autism and can be key to developing a range of skills as well as improving wellbeing.

Life outside of sport

Stephen’s other interests involve music and movies and he is known for his wide range in taste - listening to everything from opera singers to Eminem, R’n’B to rock music.

“I like my music as it makes time go by, I use it to tune and remove the chaos of my mind, and my mood depicts the genre of music I listen to,” Stephen explains.

He works three days a week at the Cerebral Palsy League Resource and Toy Library, which hires out disability-specific resources to support providers like occupational therapists and schools.

“I enjoy working as it gives me routine and inclusion, and the benefit of working at a job I enjoy is good for my whole self,” says Stephen.

Once a week Stephen uses funding in his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan to attend exercise physiology with a support worker, and sometimes for the support worker to go to the movies with him after the appointment.

The support worker transports him to and from the appointments, as he doesn’t drive, but Stephen does make his own way to work by catching a bus and a train.

He says he would like to use his NDIS funding to become even more independent and move out of the family home.

“I’d like to be able to have a bit of independence,” Stephen says.

“At the moment I’m living with mum so I would like to eventually, if I can get financially stable, have my own unit and have Supported Independent Living where I’d have a support worker to come in and help me with basic dayto-day cooking or if I need someone to come and clean.”

Barbara, Stephen and Kim Lawley love being involved in sport together.

Photo: Supplied

“If I can do this then after your career this is something you can do”

“I enjoy working as it gives me routine and inclusion”

Understanding the NDIS

The NDIS was officially launched in 2016 after a successful three year trial period. The Scheme has been introduced to centralise disability support and replace most State and Territory based funding. It aims to give all Australians access to similar supports regardless of where they live.

It is set up as an ‘insurance scheme’ which means that it takes a lifetime approach by providing people with disability, their families and carers with funding for support needed to provide long-term outcomes.

Currently more than 500,000 people are accessing the NDIS.

Who runs it?

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the independent Australian Government agency coordinating the NDIS.

It is the central body that will provide information and referrals, linking participants to services and activities, in order to deliver the best individualised plans in the Scheme.

NDIS objectives

The NDIS funds supports that are necessary for you to achieve your goals.

The Scheme recognises that needs and goals are different for everyone but the overall aim is to:

you develop greater independence

you to get more involved in the community

you in getting a job

ways to improve your overall wellbeing.

Services and support

In your NDIS plan you are able to receive Core, day-to-day living support for a range of activities so you can start or continue your participation in the community.

You may also be entitled to Capital supports which will give you access to resources or equipment such as wheelchairs, assistive technology and home or car modifications.

There will also be an option for Capacity building supports that will help you develop life skills, educational opportunities or help you find employment.

For more information on Core, Capital and Capacity building supports turn to page 28.

Accessing the NDIS

You may be eligible to access NDIS supports if you live in Australia and have Australian residency, are aged between seven and 65 and have a disability that affects your ability to perform everyday activities.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, have a lifelong condition recognised under the NDIS or if you’re a child up to six years old with developmental delay that can be reduced by early intervention, you can access the scheme.

The NDIS recognises that each person has different needs and it works by allocating you funds to implement an agreed plan of supports specific to your needs. The support plan may change over time to reflect any progress in your situation and any changes in your personal circumstances.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Government initiative that was established to provide all Australians aged under 65 years and living with disability, with reasonable and necessary support in their everyday life, to help them live as independently as possible.

Eligibility

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is available to support people living with disability in Australia. Before you can access the Scheme, you must first meet its eligibility criteria.

Anyone meeting the NDIS eligibility is called a participant and through the Scheme, they will be able to access funded supports and an individual plan.

Supports and funding through the NDIS are available to anyone with intellectual, physical or mental health (psychosocial) conditions and will be provided to all Australians who meet the access requirements.

To determine if you can access supports under the NDIS you need to meet a number of access requirements:

⃝

⃝

Your age

The NDIS is only available to people with disability under the age of 65.

Your residency status

You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa to be allowed access to NDIS supports.

⃝ Availability in your area

To access the NDIS, it must be available in your area.

⃝ What disability you have

You must be living with a disability that affects your ability to perform everyday activities. The condition must be recognised under the NDIS as needing ‘reasonable and necessary supports’. Most people with intellectual, physical or mental health (psychosocial) conditions are eligible for NDIS support. OR; You qualify under the NDIS early intervention requirements if you are a child up to the age of six with a developmental delay that can be reduced by early intervention supports.

If you think you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply to join the NDIS.

NDIS supports aim to:

• help develop independence

• assist to get involved in the community

• support in getting a job

• improve overall wellbeing

How to apply for the NDIS

You will only be able to access the NDIS if you meet all of the eligibility criteria.

To become an NDIS participant and receive NDIS support, you will need to contact the NDIA and request an Access Request Form. Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to request an Access Request Form or visit ndis.gov.au.

Within the form you will be asked to confirm who you are and you’ll need to answer a number of questions to see if you meet the NDIS access requirements. You may also be asked for some additional information about your disability.

Once all the sections of your Access Request Form have been completed it must be submitted to the NDIA for consideration.

If your application has been approved you will be contacted by the NDIA or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to arrange a planning meeting.

It is important to note that there can be a wait for your application to be processed or between being accepted as an NDIS participant and having your planning meeting.

While you wait you can access privately funded supports or get a referral from your GP to get a management plan to access specific services. You can read more about what to expect and how to prepare for a planning meeting on page 21.

Partners of the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is delivering the best support possible to assist people with disability in exercising their right to choice and control. Over 500,000 people around Australia already have an approved individualised plan, with that number continuing to grow.

In the Queensland more than 111,000 people are supported by the NDIS. The Scheme supports more than 170,000 people living with disability in New South Wales and the ACT, 140,000 in Victoria and over 12,000 people in Tasmania.

Local Area Coordinators

Across the country the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has partnered with local community based organisations who work with people with disability in the community to help with their NDIS journey.

These Local Area Coordinators (LACs) assist the NDIA in working with you as a participant to set goals as well as prepare and implement your plan.

For most people LACs are their main contact point for the NDIS. They will work with you to set your goals and create a plan to achieve those

They have been selected for their deep understanding and knowledge of disability and its impact on individuals, families and carers.

LACs have three key roles:  ⃝ linking you to the NDIS  ⃝ providing you with information and support in the community

⃝ working with your local community to make sure it’s both welcoming and inclusive for people with disability.

For many people LACs are the main contact point for the NDIS.

Once your request to be part of the NDIS has been approved, you will be notified and a LAC representative will contact you to arrange a planning meeting. The LAC will work with you to put your plan together and will send it to the NDIA for approval.

It’s important to remember that while the LAC puts your plan together and submits your plan, they don’t approve it. This is the responsibility of the NDIA.

Once your plan is approved, the LAC helps you put your plan into action, known as plan implementation, and they will ensure you maintain the supports in your NDIS plan while helping achieve your goals.

The LAC can also help you understand your plan, choose and connect with service providers, explore and link you with community and mainstream options and re-assess your supports with you and your family as your plan progresses.

LACs are your key contact in discussing your NDIS plan and answering any questions you may have and they will help you evaluate your current supports during your annual plan reviews.

NDIA managed areas

For many people entering the NDIS, the LAC will be their main point of contact for the NDIS. However, some regional and remote areas are not serviced by a LAC partner. In that case the NDIA will work with you directly to connect you to supports in your area.

Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 to find our more.

Early Childhood Early Intervention Partners

The Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) program is supporting young children who have a disability or developmental delay.

To deliver the best outcomes for children up to the age of six the NDIA has teamed up with early childhood partners in the community to provide advice, assistance and support.

You can find contact details of LAC and ECEI partners in your State or Territory in the ‘Resources’ section starting on page 264.

Early intervention under the NDIS

Early intervention means addressing your child’s development, health and support needs as soon as possible. This could be through therapy, counselling, family support or special education.

Providing quality early intervention for a child with a developmental delay or disability in their early years is critical to achieving the best outcomes and reducing the likelihood of them needing ongoing supports in the future. Effective early childhood intervention should be tailored to your child and family’s needs and include evidence-based strategies and supports.

Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the approach that supports children up to six years of age who have a disability or developmental delay, is called Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI).

Early childhood partners

To deliver the best outcomes for your child the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has teamed up with experienced early childhood partners in your local community, who will provide assistance, advice and access to early intervention support for your child.

If your child is unlikely to have a lifelong disability, or any long term effects are still unclear, the ECEI partner will link your family with mainstream supports and work with them over the short to medium-term.

They might also provide initial supports if the child needs them and monitor progress.

If your child has a lifelong disability, the ECEI partner will work with you to develop an NDIS plan that best suits your child’s needs and can help you to access services.

The ECEI process is about giving families information and time to understand what supports are available to them and how the system works, rather than sending them straight to service providers or mainstream supports. During the ECEI process, families can build their capacity and develop the skills to make informed decisions throughout their child’s life.

When your child turns seven years old they will be re-assessed to either move to an individualised funded plan under the NDIS where a formal diagnosis is required, or potentially transition to other Government support services.

Accessing support

To access early intervention supports under the NDIS for children aged 0-6 years you don’t need a formal diagnosis of disability. If you have concerns about your child’s behaviour or development you can call the NDIS hotline on 1800 800 110 and request access to NDIS support.

You can also be referred by your GP, family nurse, paediatrician or child care educator.

You will find information and a list of providers who offer early intervention in the Therapists and Specialists section starting on page 118

More information about ECEI partners in Eastern Australia can be found in the ‘Resources’ section starting on page 264.

Effective early childhood intervention should be tailored to your child and family’s needs

The early childhood journey

Every child is unique, so each early childhood journey will be different. However, there are some common steps in the process of accessing ECEI supports.

All children will go through steps one and two, but the journey from there will depend on the individual:

1. Connect with an early childhood partner –Through the NDIA, your own request or the referral of your GP or Paediatrician.

2. Get some helpful information – Your ECEI partner will help you understand your child’s support needs and provide you with guidance and information that will help you make decisions about the right supports and services for your child.

3. Discuss support needs – Your ECEI partner will work with you to set goals for your child.

4. Referral to supports and services – Your ECEI partner will connect you to supports and services available in your local community, or provide some initial early intervention supports themselves if the child needs it.

5. Accessing the NDIS – If it is evident your child would be best supported with an NDIS plan, your ECEI partner will work with you to request NDIS access and develop a plan.

6. Monitor progress – Your early childhood partner and service providers will work with you to monitor your child’s progress against the goals you’ve set.

What to look for in early intervention supports

If you are seeking early intervention support for your child you may want to consider the following key points:

⃝

Is the support family-centred?

Supports should actively involve and engage parents and other family members and be tailored to your family’s circumstances and priorities.

⃝

Is the support child-focused?

Supports should be delivered based on your child’s needs and goals and aim to develop specific skills.

⃝ Is it structured and supportive?

Supports should be delivered in an environment where you and your child feel comfortable and they should be highly structured, well organised, consistent and predictable.

⃝ Is there quality of therapy?

Supports and services should be based on solid evidence and research and delivered by practitioners with appropriate qualifications and experience.

⃝ Will there be regular assessments?

Supports should be regularly reviewed and progress is assessed against your child’s goals and milestones to measure progress.

⃝ Does it build knowledge and skills?

Supports and information provided should build the knowledge, skills and confidence of the family and important people in your child’s life.

Planning meeting and your first plan

If you’re new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), your first plan is your entry point and the start of your relationship with the Scheme.

Once you have been accepted into the NDIS but before you can begin receiving any services under the Scheme, you and/or your nominee will be contacted by a representative from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to have a planning conversation.

Your planning meeting will take place with a NDIA representative, such as a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or a NDIA Planner.

Preparing for a planning meeting

Every NDIS plan is individualised. To make sure you get the best plan possible that suits your needs and goals, it’s important to take the time to think about your life in the following areas:

⃝

Current supports

What formal supports are you currently receiving? Do you receive therapeutic, behavioural or work supports? If so, how often? If you need special equipment to go about our daily life, such as a wheelchair or communication devices, how often do you use it and will it need updating in the next year? Have you had any modifications made around your home, like ramps or rails and do they suit your needs?

You may choose to meet at the planner’s office location or they can come to your house. In some cases, if you are unable to meet face-toface, for example if you live in a rural or remote area, the planning meeting may take place over the phone or through a video call.

Also, take note of how you get to and from these activities.

⃝ Living arrangements

⃝

Informal supports

What informal connections do you have and who is important in your life at the moment? Do you currently receive any informal support from your parents, family and friends?

⃝ Current activities

What regular activities do you attend during the week and what activities do you do occasionally? These could include community group activities, sports practice, art classes or volunteering. It’s important to list these no matter how big or small, and if you do them once a week or once a year.

Where do you live and who do you live with? Are you happy with your current living arrangements or would you like to explore other options or is your situation likely to change in the near future? For instance, you may be living with elderly parents who are your primary carers. Will they need extra assistance themselves or move into aged care in the future which means they can no longer care for you?

During a planning meeting your planner will consider your current supports, living arrangements, regular activities as well as your short and long-term goals

Short-term and long-term goals

The NDIS aims to help you increase your independence and achieve what you want in life. Think about things you would like to achieve in the short-term and maybe a few years from now.

Are the supports you are currently receiving helping you achieve these goals? Are there barriers that are stopping you from achieving them?

Writing down this information will help you be as prepared as possible for your meeting.

What to bring

To ensure the best outcome for you it is recommended that you bring the following to your planning meeting:

⃝ Someone to support you. You can bring anyone you’d like, this could be a parent, guardian, support person from a current service provider or a disability advocate.

You don’t have to bring a support person, however, it can be helpful to have someone you know present, who can provide emotional support or fill in any gaps in information that is required.

⃝ Information you have prepared before your meeting regarding your short and long-term goals, current supports, relationships, living arrangements and activities.

⃝ Specialist reports and therapy assessments. If you have been assessed by a specialist make sure you bring any reports that include recommendations for certain therapies or supports. Make sure the reports include as much detail as possible about why you need these supports or therapies to assist your request for funding. Ideally the specialist report should include frequency of the recommended therapy and how the supports will help you work towards the short or long-term goals in your plan.

⃝ Quotes from service providers to support any aids or equipment you’re requesting in your plan. These aren’t necessary but could give your planner an idea about the level of funding you need.

⃝

Documentation relating to your life, supports, health or disability. This could include personal documents about you or your family, letters from your doctor, day program rosters, information from your workplace about your needs, activity schedules or a behaviour support plan.

⃝ A list of questions you would like to ask the NDIS representative. If there is anything about the process you do not understand, this is your opportunity to ask. You can also ask the planner to read back their understanding of your goals and support needs to make sure you are both on the same page.

We have put together a checklist of useful information to prepare and collect for your planning meeting. You’ll find the checklist on pages 26-27.

Together, you and your planner will turn your goals into a set of actions and develop steps you need to take to achieve them

During your planning meeting

At the start of the planning meeting, your planner will introduce themselves and outline what you will talk about in the meeting.

They will ask lots of detailed questions about your current supports, living situation, activities and relationships, as well as your goals and aspirations. This is why it’s important to prepare this information before your meeting so you don’t forget anything.

Together you will turn your goals into a set of actions and develop steps you need to take to achieve them. Based on the information you provide the planner will work with you to develop your Participant Statement.

If you don’t know what goals you have for the future, that’s okay. Your first plan focuses on what you need right now and gives you some time to think about your longer-term needs and goals.

During the meeting you’ll discuss how the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will be able to tell if your plan is working and how to measure your progress. Your planner will go over the different plan management options with you and ask how you would like to manage your funding.

Finally, you will both agree on review dates for your plan. Most plans will be reviewed after 12 months but in some cases this may be sooner or a plan may be extended to two years.

Once your planner has all the information they need, they will write a plan of supports for you. The plan will then be sent to the NDIA for approval. Your planner should tell you when you can expect to receive your plan and what will happen next.

Generally, once approved, you will receive a paper copy of your plan in the mail, along with a letter with an activation code to link your myGov account to the NDIS Portal to manage your supports.

Once your first plan is finalised (within seven days of receiving your plan) you will be contacted by a NDIA representative to discuss how to put it into action.

Keep in mind that whilst the planner will work with you in putting the best plan forward to support you in reaching your goals, the decision of what type of supports and how much funding you will receive in your actual plan lies with the NDIA.

There are professionals who can help you set your first NDIS plan, such as plan managers and support coordinators. You’ll find them in the Advisors directory section on page 177

Six things to bring to your planning meeting:

1. Someone to support you

2. Information about your life, needs and personal circumstances

3. Your short and long-term goals

4. Specialist reports and therapy assessments

5. Quotes from service providers for aids and equipment

6. Questions to ask your planner

Your first plan

Once you receive your plan, it is important to read through it to make sure you understand everything that is included.

Your plan has three main parts:

Part one contains some of your personal details, such as your name, NDIS number and other details about you.

Part two outlines your short-term and longterm goals.

Part three provides details about your supports and is broken into three sections describing the different support types.

⃝ Section 1 outlines your ‘informal supports’ that come from your family and friends.

⃝ Section 2 outlines your ‘formal supports’, such as those found in your community, or are part of ‘mainstream’ systems, like a school, workplace or hospital.

⃝ Section 3 includes reasonable and necessary supports funded by the NDIS, the budget for NDIS funded supports and how supports will be paid for.

Any funding you receive from the State or Territory Governments stops on the same day your NDIS plan starts, so it’s important to let your service providers know when you receive your plan.

If you wish to continue receiving supports from your current service provider under the NDIS, you will be asked to complete a Service Agreement. Alternatively, if you wish to change or cancel services, then your service provider can help you do this.

If you are unhappy with the plan that has been presented to you by NDIA, you can request a review.

Plan reviews

When reviewing

Plan reviews are a normal part of your NDIS journey. A plan review is a chance to measure your progress against your goals, provide feedback on what supports are or aren’t working for you, explore and set new goals, or ask any questions.

It is expected that your first plan review will take place after your first 12 months in the Scheme. Towards the end of your first year as an NDIS participant, you will be contacted about a review of your first plan.

When reviewing your plan it’s important to:

Consider which supports are working best

Identify strengths, interests, opportunities and challenges

current informal, mainstream, funded and community supports

goals and other targets.

Your review will be conducted by a NDIS representative. For children up to six years of age, most plan reviews will be conducted by the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) partner in person with the family. This could be in the ECEI partner’s office or in the family home.

For participants aged seven to 65 years, plan reviews will be conducted by a LAC or a NDIS planner either face-to-face or over the phone or by video call.

You will also have the opportunity to talk to your representative about when to have your next plan review. Reviews can be scheduled up to two years apart depending on your personal circumstances.

If you know your situation may change in the near future, such as moving from school to work or a change in living arrangements, you could schedule a review sooner.

Your next plan will be developed based on your plan review conversation and formally approved by the NDIA. Your current supports will not be impacted during the plan review period, however, you will need to talk to your providers about your plan length to make sure your Service Agreements are up-to-date.

Remember that any unspent funds in your plan will not roll over to your next plan. The new funding will replace your existing funding, so it’s important to make the most of your budgets.

The amounts of funding allocated to you for your Core, Capital and Capacity building supports may be different from your last plan. This will be based on your current needs, your progress in working towards your short and long-term goals and whether supports are still considered ‘reasonable and necessary’.

Participant-requested review

If your circumstances change, your plan no longer meets your needs, you are unhappy with the supports outlined in your plan, or would like to change your plan management type, you or your plan nominee can request a review with the NDIA at any time.

If your circumstances have changed, you can request a review by completing a ‘Change of circumstances’ form which can be found on the NDIS website or at your local NDIS office. Keep in mind, circumstances will need to have changed significantly from your last meeting for a review to take place and not all changes will require a review. Your current supports will continue during the review process.

Appeals

If you do not agree with a decision made by the NDIA, you can request an internal review by completing the ‘Application form review of decisions’ on the NDIS website.

Visit NDIS.gov.au or call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to get help to complete the form over the phone.

A review request must be made within three months of receiving notice of a NDIA decision and you should explain why you think the decision was incorrect.

You can request a plan review before the scheduled time if:

• Your circumstances change

• Your needs are not being met

• You are unhappy with your current supports

• You'd like to change how your plan is managed

A review will be conducted by a NDIA staff member who was not involved in the original decision-making process. They will reconsider the facts, law and policy and determine if the original decision was accurate.

If you do not agree with the outcome of the internal review, you may make an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) requesting a further review.

You cannot ask the AAT to review a decision until the NDIA has reviewed it.

For information about applying for an AAT review, visit the AAT website – aat.gov.au – or call 1800 228 333. If you or the NDIA disagrees with a decision following the outcome of an external review by the AAT, an appeal can be made to the Federal Court of Australia, which is the final avenue of review.

NDIS Planning Meeting Checklist

Before your planning meeting

Familiarise yourself with the NDIS:

Go to pages 264 -265 of this Guide for our handy list of definitions and often used terms

Information about the NDIS, your eligibility, developing your first plan and what to expect at your planning meeting can be found on pages 16 -24 or visit

DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au/information

Take the time to write down your:

Personal details

Current informal supports from family and friends

Current formal supports

Activities (regular and occasional) and how you get to and from them

Living arrangements

Short and long-term goals

How you would like to manage your funding – Go to page 36 to read more about the different options

Gather your supporting documents, such as assessment reports, medical results or day options. Make sure you keep copies of these documents. These documents may include:

Information, reports and assessments of your disability

Detailing ‘good’ days and ‘bad’ days, to ensure you highlight your daily challenges and receive the necessary supports you need

NDIS Planning Workbook – available online at ndis.gov.au. The questions in this planning workbook can help you collect the information used to determine your needs and goals

Carers statement – Take some time to write a detailed list of your caring responsibilities such as personal care, domestic tasks, social participation, eating or drinking, as well as where further support is needed and the impact of your caring role, such as financial, employment, physical and mental health implications

Evidence of age and residency such as a copy of your passport or birth certificate

Bank account details to be used for your NDIS funds

Prepare a list of questions to ask during your meeting, such as:

When can I expect to receive my NDIS plan?

How can I get in contact with you after our meeting if I remember something else?

Who will help me understand my plan and answer any further questions I have?

Who can help me organise my supports and put my plan into action?

Can you repeat my answers back to me?

Am I able to review my plan before it is finalised?

It’s never too early to start planning! To help you make the most of your planning meeting we have put together a checklist of useful information before and during the meeting and what to look out for when you receive your plan.

‘good’ and ‘bad’ days to ensure you highlight your daily challenges and the supports you need

During your planning meeting

Think of who you’d like to bring with you to your planning meeting. It could be your carer, a parent, a friend or your partner

Write down your planner’s name and contact details

Take notes so you can refer to what has been discussed later on

Go through the information you collected and prepared

Ask about language or cultural support

Present any quotes for items/services you are requesting

Present specialist reports showing therapies or supports recommended

Advise which plan management option you wish to use

Remember to tell your planner why you need certain supports

Confirm when your next plan review will be held

Make sure all your questions are answered

Appoint a plan nominee if you wish. This is someone who can make decisions about your plan and supports on your behalf, if necessary

Remember to take your time and don’t be rushed. This meeting is to determine the supports you need so you want to make sure you get it right.

When you receive your plan

Check it to make sure you understand what is included in your plan

Await contact by an NDIS representative to discuss putting your plan into action

Notify your service providers and organise a time to sign Service Agreements

Link your myGov account to your NDIS participant portal, following the instructions sent by the NDIA. The NDIS participant portal allows you to view your plan and manage your services with your providers

As

What support can I get?

To decide what supports are reasonable and necessary for you, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) looks at your personal circumstances. It takes into account any informal supports you may have, such as help from family members or friends, as well as formal supports, like health and education services.

During your planning meeting, information is collected about what supports would best suit your circumstances, needs and goals. Together they will form your plan.

When the NDIA makes decisions about which supports would be reasonable and necessary for you, they refer to their operational guidelines that relate to each specific support.

To be considered reasonable and necessary, supports must:

related to the participant’s disability

include day-to-day living costs that are not related to a participant’s disability support needs

value for money

likely to be effective and beneficial to the participant, and

informal supports given to participants by families, carers, networks and the community.

Support packages

Funding in a NDIS plan is broken down into three different support packages.

package covers different areas of support and is further broken down into a number of categories:

Core – for help with everyday living

Assistance with daily living

Assistance with social and community participation

Consumables

Capital – what aids and equipment could help make life easier

Assistive technology

Home and vehicle modifications

disability accommodation

building – therapies and skills that improve independence

coordination

living arrangements

social and community participation

and keeping a job

relationships

health and wellbeing

daily living skills

life choices

budget that you end up with will include money for supports that align with the goals in your individual plan. You may be funded for supports that fall under all three support packages, or only one or two. It all depends on what your needs are.

instance, an eight year old child on the autism spectrum is most likely to end up with more Capacity building funds to pay for different therapies.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will fund supports that are

and necessary’ and that help a participant reach their goals, participate in the community and increase their independence.

Whereas an adult with a physical disability may receive mainly funding for Core supports to help with daily living.

To make sure you have complete choice and control over your supports, there is flexibility when it comes to how you can spend the money within each package. However, you are not able to transfer money from one support group to another.

For example, if you receive funding for Core and Capacity building purposes, you cannot transfer money for in home care supports under the Core category to receive speech therapy which falls under Capacity building, and vice versa.

You will find a list of providers near you in the directory section starting on page 48D.

What is Core support?

Your Core budget is made up of supports that will help you go about your daily life while working towards your goals and objectives. It is split into four categories and funding is flexible across all categories.

⃝ Assistance with daily living

Aims to enable you to live as autonomously as possible. Includes support in the following areas:

• Assistance with daily personal activities –such as showering, personal hygiene and moving around the house.

• Assistance with household tasks – such as cleaning and maintenance to help maintain your home environment.

• Preparation and delivery of meals – covers costs for a chosen service provider to prepare and deliver food on a weekly basis, taking your specific needs into account.

• Assistance in shared living arrangements / supported independent living – incorporates assistance with and/or supervising daily life tasks in a shared living environment.

Support can also include short-term accommodation assistance such as respite care. Read more about respite on pages 55 and 150.

⃝ Transport

Support to travel around your community. You can only get transport funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) if you are not able to use public transport, such as a bus or train, because of your disability.

The funding can pay for transport such as a community bus specifically for people with a disability or taxi and is paid fortnightly in advance. The funding will not pay for a carer or family member to drive you around to activities.

Any funding you’re requesting to be included in your NDIS plan has to be related to your disability, give you some clear benefit and must be considered reasonable and necessary

There are three levels of transport support:

Level 1 – up to $1,606 per year

You can get level 1 support if you do not work, study or attend a day program. You could also get level 1 support if you would like to join in activities or volunteer in your community.

Level 2 – up to $2,472 per year

You can get level 2 support if you work or study part time (less than 15 hours per week), go to a day program or participate in social activities.

Level 3 – up to $3,456 per year

You can get level 3 support if you work or study more than 15 hours a week or are currently looking for work.

⃝ Assistance with social and community participation

Support to help you to engage in social or recreational activities and become more involved in your community.

These could include a mix of community and centre-based activities such as art classes, sports, camps, library visits or day trips that include mentoring or peer support to strengthen your ability to participate independently.

What is Capital support?

The Capital support budget relates to investments such as assistive technology equipment, home or vehicle modifications, or specialist disability accommodation.

The funding for supports will include assessment, delivery, set-up, adjustment and maintenance costs as needed.

⃝ Assistive technology

These are aids or equipment supports that assist you to live independently or help your carer to make it easier to look after you.

It can include items for mobility, personal care, communication and recreational inclusion, such as wheelchairs, pressure mattresses, standing frames, bathing and toileting equipment, personal readers and vision equipment.

⃝ Consumables

Support to purchase assistive, personal care or safety items relating to your disability that you would use every day. These can include:

• Toilet and bathroom equipment

• Continence needs

• Home enteral nutrition (HEN) products

• Specialised clothing

How can I spend my Core funding?

Funding for Core supports is provided as a single lump sum payment which can be used flexibly across all four categories.

For example if you have a total Core budget of $14,000, you can choose to spread it across different categories and allocate $2,000 for consumables, $7,000 for daily activities, $1,000 for transport and $4,000 for social activities.

Core support funding is flexible but you may choose to set aside funds for a specific purpose. For instance, you may choose to selfmanage some of your Core funding to support additional transport needs and receive this as an automatic payment on an ad-hoc basis.

⃝ Vehicle modifications

Vehicle modifications include the installation of, or changes to, equipment in a vehicle to enable you to travel safely as a passenger or to drive. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will cover modifications that are considered reasonable and necessary such as installing hand controls if you can’t use your feet to operate pedals or installation of a hoist to help you in and out of a car. If you would like additional cosmetic or personalised features that are not essential, you will be expected to cover the extra expenses yourself.

Did you know art classes, sport, camps, library visits and day trips can be included in your plan to increase your social and community participation?

Capital support funding also covers the cost of equipment assessments, delivery, set-up, adjustments and the cost of maintenance

⃝ Home modifications

Modifications to help you live safely and independently at home. These may include adding hand rails in your bathroom, adding slip-resistant coating to your floor or installing ramps.

⃝ Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

SDA refers to accommodation for eligible participants who have an extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA will provide funding towards the cost of the physical environment in which supports can be delivered, such as a purpose built apartment.

SDA funding does not cover personal support costs, which are assessed and funded separately in your NDIS plan.

How can I spend my Capital support funding?

Any funds for aids and/or equipment you’re requesting for inclusion in your NDIS plan have to be related to your disability, give you some

clear benefit and be considered reasonable and necessary.

Money for this support package will be allocated for specific items identified in your plan and has to be used to fund those items.

For example, if your plan includes money under Capital supports to pay for a wheelchair, you can’t then decide to spend that money on the installation of a grab rail in the bathroom instead.

It is best to bring a quote for each item you’re requesting money for to your planning meeting, to make sure you receive funding that meets your needs. You can choose your preferred supplier and there is no need to provide multiple quotes for each item or service you’re requesting.

What is Capacity building support?

This support package enables you to build on your independence skills.

There are nine Capacity building support categories. You will not automatically receive funding for all nine but only for those that suit your needs and circumstances. The goals outlined in your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan determine which categories you receive funding for.

⃝ Coordination of supports

Support to connect you with informal, mainstream and funded supports so you can get the most out of your NDIS plan and make sure your supports are being delivered as promised.

There are three different layers of ‘Coordination of supports’:

•

Support connection

Short-term assistance to strengthen your ability to connect with informal, mainstream and funded supports and maintain relationships with service providers.

• Support coordination Ongoing support to strengthen your ability to connect with supports. Includes resolving service delivery issues, regular monitoring of supports and crisis resolution.

Funding for capacity building support helps you to work on developing independence skills

• Specialist support coordination

A time-limited service that includes all activities outlined in support coordination, plus specialist supports for more complex and high-risk situations.

If you ask for ‘Coordination of supports’ during your planning meeting, the NDIA will determine what level of support is reasonable and necessary based on the information gathered during your meeting.

⃝

Improved living arrangements

Help with finding and applying for shared or independent accommodation and assistance with managing rental agreements and responsibilities. You may choose to use these funds to engage a service provider to help you search for suitable rental properties online and fill out application forms, for example.

⃝

Increased social and community participation

Short-term or ongoing support to strengthen your ability to manage your life independently and participate in your community. This can include support to participate in community access programs or group activities.

If your goals include improving your social skills and making new friends, you could get funding to attend a community camp or vacation group, where you can meet new people and build your relationship skills.

⃝ Finding and keeping a job Support to find and maintain employment at all stages of your life. If you’re approved for funding in this category, you could find a service provider who specialises in employment for people with disability to help you update your resumé, apply for jobs in supported or open employment, help you prepare for a job interview or assist with school-towork transition.

⃝ Improved relationships Involves assistance with the development of social skills and behaviour intervention supports. This could include funding for a behaviour support plan that aims to limit the likelihood of behaviours of concern developing or increasing.

⃝ Improved health and wellbeing

Physical wellbeing activities, such as personal training sessions and nutrition advice to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. These supports can be funded by the NDIS if health, physical and wellbeing difficulties are directly attributable to your disability. For example, if you’re eligible for this funding you may choose to find a nutritionist who can create an individualised healthy-eating meal plan.

⃝

Improved daily living

Covers assessment, therapy and/or training by a professional such as an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or registered nurse. Includes early childhood intervention.

Under Capacity building supports you could get funding to help you find a job or study opportunities, apply for suitable accommodation or learn a range of organisational and self-management skills

If you receive funding for this category you may choose to spend it on a combination of therapies that can help you work toward your goals. For example 30 hours a year for occupational therapy and speech therapy assessment and intervention.

⃝ Improved life choices

Can include plan management support, financial assistance and training to improve organisational and self-management skills. You could engage a service provider who offers plan management services to help you manage the money in your NDIS plan. They can pay providers, help develop Service Agreements, develop monthly statements and claim payments from the NDIA on your behalf.

⃝ Improved learning

Help to research and apply for study or training opportunities. If you receive funding in this category, you could engage a service provider to help with your transition from school to university, for example. This could include assistance with planning your timetable and budgeting for textbooks, or having a support worker come with you to class. Improved learning funding will only cover support costs, not course or tuition fees that anyone else without a disability would be expected to pay for.

How can I spend my Capacity building funding?

You can use your Capacity building funds to purchase any approved individual support within a specific category.

For instance, if you are allocated money under the ‘Improved daily living’ budget, you may initially decide to use 50% of the funding on an occupational therapist, 30% on a physiotherapist and 20% on a podiatrist.

However, down the track you may decide to assign a larger percentage to podiatry services or change from occupational therapy to speech therapy. This flexibility allows you to identify what you believe would be the best Capacity building support to achieve your goal.

To help the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) decide how much money they will allocate for different categories under the

Capacity building package in your plan, keep in mind that any supports must be ‘reasonable and necessary’.

Any specialist reports you provide at your planning meeting to show you need certain therapies or supports should include as much information as possible to support your funding request. They should detail the types of services the specialist recommends as well as the frequency of services.

For instance, if you have a recommendation from a specialist that your child needs physiotherapy, make sure their report specifies how many sessions a year they think your child needs, the duration of each session and what goals these therapies will help achieve.

You won’t be able to move Capacity building funding from one category to another. This is because each category is aligned with a specific goal in your plan.

So, for example, you may have a total Capacity building budget of $5,000 made up of $3,000 for therapies under ‘Improved daily living’ and $2,000 for ‘Improved living arrangements’ to help you find suitable rental accommodation.

You then can’t decide to combine your funds to spend the total $5,000 on ‘Improved daily living’ because that would mean you are not working towards meeting your ‘Improved living arrangements’ goals.

Photo: Daryl Charles supplied by Eurella Community Services, NSW

You can use your Capacity building funds to purchase any approved individual support within a specific category

Shayne’s story - Podcasting gives Shayne more than just a voice

He has now produced over 50 episodes of his own podcast, Disability Talk, covering topics across the disability sector with guests ranging from specialist disability accommodation providers to sports program organisers.

“I wanted to do a podcast to show others with a disability that they could also be brave and achieve more,” says Shayne, who is also a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant.

“I enjoy learning more about the disability sector and ways in which it can assist me as needed.

“I also love hearing other people’s stories and also the ways businesses are helping people with a disability.”

Shayne is involved in many of the steps to create the podcast, including finding the guests, working out the questions for them, calling them up and recording the podcast.

developed into more of a skills building program

“I wanted to do a podcast to show others with a disability that they could also be brave and achieve more.”

centred on podcasts, because that’s what participants wanted to get out of it.

For RadioVoice participants, their passion for podcasting is the key to achieving their goals.

He says the process has been particularly helpful for developing his communication skills and learning to research - which he needs to do to make sure he asks his guests “all the right questions”.

It’s difficult to tell just how many people listen to the podcast, because it is available on so many platforms. But as Shayne’s mentor and Director of RadioVoice, Daz Smith, says, “Whether there’s one person listening or whether there’s 100,000 people listening, we’re doing what we do and we’re doing it with passion”.

Building skills

Although the program Shayne began with was focused on radio, it has

“To be able to come up with guests, structure some questions and have podcasting in their lives is as rewarding as being on radio,” Daz explains.

“It’s just fantastic to think that these guys who would never get the opportunity now have that, and to sit back to listen to their shows and listen to their podcasts is so rewarding.”

Twice a week Shayne goes into the studio to work on his podcast and keep developing related skills, like speaking clearly, confidence, communication and resilience.

Finding paid work

He has been able to use these skills in other areas of life, including during his weekly three hour work shift at a social enterprise café.

“I use the communication skills at work in the café, which is very important in a busy kitchen, also being able to have conversations with my friends,” says Shayne.

Shayne at

When Shayne Marks began a radio program a year ago he had no idea how much it would change his life. He enrolled in a radio and podcast skills building course and after finishing the 12 week program with RadioVoice, Shayne didn’t want to stop.

Although he holds a Certificate III in Patisserie and has a passion for working in kitchens, Shayne has been finding it difficult to secure work opportunities because potential employers “want experience”.

“The main challenge I face is finding a job, someone who is prepared to just give me a go. This is a real barrier,” he says.

So on Fridays, Daz and Shayne step away from the production desk to look for paid work.

Daz says this support around finding employment opportunities is important to help Shayne break down the barriers he has experienced.

“It’s about being able to demonstrate his value - he’s got qualifications that he picked up at TAFE but it’s about being given an opportunity,” he says.

Support beyond the studio

Daz helps Shayne to look for work, apply for jobs, learn how to look the part for interviews and develop other job seeking skills.

Shayne has recently found three hours of paid work every Wedensday in hospitality and says finding more paid work was at the top of his list of goals as he has recently moved out of his family home to live with a friend.

“My main goal was to get paid work, that’s the big one - because I’m renting I need a bit of extra cash,” he says.

Shayne says that he needs about 15 hours of work a week to be able to afford his apartment and to live the way he wants to live, while also still fitting in his podcasting and other activities.

Independence

The move into his apartment has been a “massive change” says Shayne, and has increased his independence.

“I don’t have to put up with family barking at me or family saying ‘do this do this’,” he explains.

“Moving out has always been a goal, probably for at least two to three years, because I wanted to move out of home and have my own independence. “I had to use my research skills, picked up from the RadioVoice program, to find a suitable unit, and also [find out] whether we could afford to move out and also live comfortably.”

Shayne already drives himself around, and goes to a regular ten pin bowling meet each week by himself to socialise.

Once a month he catches up with a group of friends for a games night and on weekends he goes out to watch AFL and NRL games live.

Shayne’s independence only continues to grow the more he is involved with the RadioVoice program. What started out as finding his voice in radio has not only taught Shayne new skills but also a passion and drive that have filtered through in all aspects of his life. Shayne’s podcast, Disability Talk, can be found on Spotify.

“I enjoy learning more about the disability sector and ways in which it can assist me.”

“My main goal was to get paid work, that’s the big one.”

Shayne works in hospitality for a few hours a week.

Photos: Supplied

Shayne has recently secured his first paid job, in hospitality.

Photos: Supplied

Managing your plan

One of the biggest decisions you and your family will need to make is how to manage your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) budget.

The process of budgeting, keeping records and paying for supports outlined in your plan is called ‘plan management’. How a budget is managed determines how your supports and services are paid and in some cases what providers you can choose from to deliver the support services you need.

There are a few plan management options and there is no right or wrong way – you can choose which option best suits your situation.

The options include:

Agency (NDIA) managed

Plan managed

Self-managed

combination of any of these You can change your plan management option at any time, but you will need to let the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) know.

Agency Managed

If you choose to have your plan agency managed, this means that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) handles all payments and administration for you. Choosing this option means you don’t have to pay invoices, claim reimbursements, report against your plan or resolve any billing issues, as this is all done by the NDIA. The NDIA will also keep appropriate records and receipts for supports provided.

If you choose to be agency managed, you can only use NDIS registered providers to

deliver your supports. Pricing for services by a registered provider are capped by the NDIA which means they can only charge a certain amount for their services.

Is it for me?

The agency managed option suits those who don’t have the time or ability to deal with financial or administrative tasks, and are happy to use only NDIS registered providers. The registered provider you choose claims the funds for their services directly through the NDIS portal by electronically billing the NDIS for the services delivered.

You can check your participant portal to see when the funds have been paid and to keep track of the funding you have left.

Pros

•

and easy

financial accountability

cost to you

• No need to keep track of paperwork or open a special bank account

• Using only registered providers means they cannot charge above NDIS price guidelines

Cons

• You can’t buy services from providers not registered with NDIS

flexibility

There’s no right or wrong way to manage your NDIS plan and you can change to a different option at any time

Plan Managed

A registered plan management provider can help you manage your NDIS funds if you don’t want the NDIA to manage your plan but don’t feel comfortable taking on the responsibility of self-management.

A plan manager acts as the middle man – the NDIS pays your plan management provider, who then sorts out the payment of your NDIS bills and handles the paperwork. Your plan manager will meet with you to understand your plan and identify what services you’d like them to manage.

If you would like to use a plan manager, you must request this at your planning meeting. Funds will be allocated under ‘Improved life choices’ to cover this service – this will not eat into any other support funds.

Is it for me?

If you would like more flexibility and choice in providers but aren’t confident in handling budgets, then engaging a plan manager may suit you. Choosing a plan management provider means you have the option of using both NDIS

registered and unregistered providers to deliver your supports, while someone else manages your money and administration.

You won’t be able to see balances or remaining funds through the NDIS participant portal, however, you should be able to receive monthly reports from your plan manager.

Pros

• You don’t have to keep track of paperwork or open a special bank account

• Freedom to choose any service provider you like

• You have a partner to help you navigate the NDIS

• Advantages of self-management without the administrative burden

Cons

• Another person to meet with regularly

• The billing process may take longer

• Unable to keep track of balances and remaining funds yourself

A list of plan managers can be found in the Advisors directory starting on page 177.

Self-Managed

Self-managing your NDIS plan means that you, a family member or trusted person takes care of the day-to-day organisation of your NDIS funds. The nominated person pays bills out of your NDIS budget, chooses how much to spend and organises paperwork and administration. The NDIA will decide whether the nominated person is suitable to self-manage.

This option gives you a lot of flexibility and control. If you are self-managing, you can choose any provider you like to deliver supports. This includes both NDIS registered providers and also those who are not registered with the NDIS.

With this flexibility comes a lot of responsibility. Self-management means keeping on top of your budgets while maintaining records and receipts for supports provided, claimed and paid.

You may want to consider setting up a NDISspecific bank account so the transactions are separated from your day-to-day expenses. You will be in charge of requesting invoices from service providers and processing payments through the NDIS participant portal. Self-managed participants can also choose to pay a service provider upfront and have the money deposited into the nominated NDIS bank account.

It is important to keep in mind that the funding amount included in your plan will be based on NDIA pricing. This means that the money you receive to pay, for example, for a speech therapy session will be capped according to NDIA pricing.

Self-managing your plan gives you complete control over your NDIS supports

Some providers that are not registered with the NDIA may charge more than this amount per session than if you were to use a registered provider who can only charge NDIS prices. Read more about NDIS pricing on page 39.

Is it for me?

Choosing to self-manage your plan means taking on the role of financial manager, support advocate, administrator and director. If you have the capacity and resources to fill these roles, and want complete control of your or your loved one’s NDIS plan, then self-management could suit you.

If you would like to self-manage, but feel you are lacking in certain skill areas or would like extra assistance, you may be able to receive funding from the NDIS for this. You may be allocated Capacity building funds as part of your plan that help you develop skills to increase your ability to self-manage or receive help to be able to self-manage.

For example, if you are happy to self-manage and would like to receive ongoing advice from a financial professional, then you can ask for this support to be included in your plan.

Pros

• Flexibility

• Total choice and control

• Freedom to choose any provider

• Opportunity to develop or refine financial, organisational and admin skills

• Can apply for assistance through NDIS Capacity building funds

Cons

• Time consuming

• A lot of responsibility

• Need to meet with lots of people and providers

• Need to resolve billing issues yourself

• Might need to pay for services upfront and wait for reimbursement

A combination

You may choose to combine different plan management options if you want the NDIA or a plan manager to manage parts of your budget, but want to stay in control over certain services.

For example, perhaps you don’t want to deal with all the financial or administrative tasks that come with managing your child’s plan yourself and you have chosen mostly registered providers, so you are happy for the NDIA to manage most of your child’s funds. However, the speech therapist your child has been seeing for four years isn’t a registered NDIS provider and you would like to keep seeing them. You can choose to self-manage that component of your child’s plan.

How does it work?

• Meet with the NDIA and tell them which services you’d like them to manage and which you’d prefer to manage yourself

• You arrange services, organise invoices and keep appropriate records for the support(s) you’ve chosen to manage

• You report to the NDIA on the amount spent on the self-managed supports, while they manage the budgets you’ve allocated to them

Pros

• Flexibility

• More choice and control

• Freedom to choose any provider

Cons

• Can be time consuming

• Might need to pay costs upfront and wait for reimbursement

• Might need to refine your budgeting, organisational or administrative skills

Whichever option you choose, it’s important to make sure you are comfortable with the way your plan is managed. There is no right or wrong way and you can choose to change to a different option at any time.

You can choose a combination of plan management options where you are in control of some supports and others are being managed by the NDIA or a registered plan manager

NDIS pricing

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to participants to purchase a range of reasonable and necessary supports to increase independence as well as social and economic participation.

This funding is provided through individual participant budgets and while participants are free to choose who they would like to deliver services and support to them, the amount the NDIA pays for these supports is set in the NDIS price guide.

How much do supports cost under the NDIS?

The NDIS price guide lists costs for all support areas under the NDIS. These prices, unless stated otherwise, are the maximum amount NDIS registered providers can charge for that service.

A key element of NDIS is that funded supports must represent value for money. As the number of participants and providers changes each year, competition may change and this could drive prices up or down. The NDIS price guide should ensure that all costs are kept at a reasonable level.

The price guide breaks down each support item with a description, reference number, whether a quote is required, the price and if it’s charged hourly, daily or weekly.

For example, for assistance with personal domestic activities such as getting help with basic house or garden maintenance, the NDIS will pay up to $50.87 per hour. For support connection, to help you coordinate your supports from a range of sources, or to engage services to help you find suitable accommodation, NDIS will pay up to $70.87 per hour.

The NDIA will update prices at least once a year, usually by 1 July, taking into account market trends, changes in costs and wage rates. Changes will be published on ndis.gov.au.

Registered vs unregistered providers

Service providers are businesses or individuals who provide a service that relates to the goals outlined in a NDIS plan. The NDIA asks service providers to register with the NDIS, however, not all providers do.

To register, providers must meet certain criteria and follow specific rules, regulations and agreements when providing services.

NDIS registration can be a lengthy and costly process, and because of this some businesses choose to stay unregistered.

Others may choose not to register so they won’t be limited by the NDIS price guide when they charge for their services.

Don’t be put off by the term ‘unregistered’ when it comes to choosing supports. Unregistered providers can still provide NDISfunded supports, and many have the necessary skills and resources to provide high-quality services to people with disability.

A key element of the NDIS is that funded supports must represent ‘value for money’

The main differences between registered and unregistered providers are:

⃝ Unregistered providers do not need to follow the price caps outlined in the NDIS price guide and can charge whatever they like, whereas registered providers cannot charge over the price limit.

⃝ Registered providers claim their invoices directly through the NDIS, while unregistered providers will send their invoices to you, or whoever is managing your plan, to process through the NDIS portal.

You can choose the type of providers you use, depending on how you manage your plan. If you are agency managed and can only choose registered providers, it’s good to know they’ve

all been through the registration process and meet NDIA guidelines. However, choosing from a set list of providers can be restrictive. For example, if you need an occupational therapist but there are none registered in your area, you might need to travel a long way to access this support. Or, the local registered occupational therapist might be at capacity and not currently taking on new clients.

If you are self-managed or plan managed, you have the freedom of choosing any provider you want. However, you may pay more for supports with an unregistered provider as they aren’t bound by the NDIS price guide.

Read more about the different management options on pages 36-38.

Service Agreements

When you have found a provider to deliver your NDIS supports, you will need to enter into a written agreement with your provider. This is called a Service Agreement.

Service Agreements should be simple and set out how and when your supports will be delivered and how much they will cost.

Service Agreements are different from your NDIS plan. Your plan lists your NDIS supports and the long and short-term goals you have. A Service Agreement is about delivering these supports to work on achieving those goals.

Your provider may work with you to develop a care or service plan that is based on your needs and the goals set out in your NDIS plan.

When talking to your provider about your Service Agreement, you can bring a copy of your NDIS plan and attach it to the document. This will help your provider deliver the right supports in the right way for your personal circumstances and make sure the services work towards meeting your individual goals.

Things you can put in your Service Agreement include:

⃝

⃝

⃝

The type of support provided under the Service Agreement

The cost of those supports

How, when and where you would like your supports to be provided

⃝ How long you need the supports to be provided

⃝

⃝

⃝

When and how your Service Agreement will be reviewed

How any problems or issues that may arise will be dealt with

Your responsibilities under the Service Agreement – such as letting your provider know if you can’t make an appointment

⃝

Your provider’s responsibilities under the Service Agreement – such as working with you to deliver your supports in the right way

⃝

How you or your provider may change or end the Service Agreement and if there are any charges if you decide to end the agreement.

If you are self-managed or plan managed you have the freedom of choosing any provider you want

A Service Agreement is about delivering supports to work on achieving any goals you have

Financial support

The Government has a range of other financial assistance schemes to support people with disability, for example to cover the cost of living including rent or mortgage repayments, groceries, utilities, and other costs.

Whilst the NDIS covers the funding of support services for eligible participants, if you have a disability that leaves you unable to work or are actively looking for work, you may be able to receive additional financial support.

Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is financial help for people with a permanent physical, intellectual or psychosocial disability that prevents them from working. To be eligible for the DSP you must meet a number of non medical and medical rules.

For example whether you are permanently blind, you have a terminal illness with an average life expectancy of less than two years, you have an intellectual disability with an IQ of less than 70 or you receive a Department of Veterans’ Affairs special rate disability pension.

It is important to note not everyone with disability or a medical condition is eligible for the DSP. If you can’t get DSP, you may be able to get other payments. You can still access services under the NDIS if you’re claiming DSP.

To find out if you are eligible and how to apply visit the Services Australia website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/ disability-support-pension

JobSeeker Payment

If you are unemployed but actively looking for work you may be able to receive the JobSeeker Payment. It also supports you if you have a longer-term condition and cannot get the DSP. This financial support is available to people who are at least 22 years old but under 65 years, looking for paid work, under the income and assets test limits and prepared to meet mutual obligation requirements.

You will no longer receive payments if you stop looking for work without a good reason and you may not receive payments until you attend your first appointment with an Employment Services Provider.

To find out if you are eligible for JobSeeker and how to apply visit the Services Australia website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/jobseeker-payment

Youth Disability Supplement

If you’re under 21 years old and on the Disability Support Pension, you may also be eligible for extra assistance through the Youth Disability Supplement. You may also receive the supplement if you’re under 22 and get Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY.

You don’t need to apply for Youth Disability Supplement but you’ll need to tell Services Australia if you don’t want to get it. To find out more visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/ youth-disability-supplement

Companion Card

If you have a permanent or severe disability and you need help to go to events and venues or access public transport, you may be eligible for a Companion Card.

This free card will allow you to bring a partner, friend or carer, to join you for free and help you with your mobility, communication, self-care or use of aids or equipment.

For more information and how to apply visit companioncard.gov.au or call 02 6205 4333 in the ACT, 1800 893 044 if you’re in NSW, 13 74 68 in Queensland, 1800 009 501 for Tasmania and 1800 617 337 if you’re in Victoria.

If you have a disability that leaves you unable to work or are actively looking for work, you may be able to receive financial support

Education

In Australia, every child has the right to the same educational opportunities. People with disability may have barriers in learning, development and cognitive function, however, there are a number of education supports that can help your child reach their full potential.

Schooling options

In some schools, children with disability are in regular classes, whereas in others, children with disability have some extra support lessons together in a group.

There are also Government funded special support school programs, complete with their own staff and facilities within mainstream schools.

Independent schools are non-Government institutions that support students with disability without Government funding.

Specialist schools for children with disability can offer specific support for children with intellectual disability, physical disability, hearing impairments, vision impairments and autism spectrum disorder. The curriculum at these schools is based on the Australian curriculum but can be tailored to suit individual student needs.

Class sizes may also be smaller. To enrol your child at a specialist school, they must meet the school’s diagnosis criteria and live within the enrolment zone.

Home schooling can provide your child with a safe, supportive and flexible environment that suits their academic or behavioural needs. If you choose to home school, you need to register with your State or Territory education department.

For children who can’t go to school or participate in regular classes due to chronic illness, living remotely or experiencing difficulty at school, education programs are often run online with printed material and visual aids sent to your child.

To enrol in these distance education programs you must meet the enrolment requirements.

Dual enrolment is an option for parents who believe their child may benefit by splitting up their week between two schools.

If your child has medical, personal care or behavioural support needs, the school can assist your child in making them feel included and comfortable in the school environment.

Education supports

The Department of Education endeavours to support the education of students with disability through funding, special needs support, resources and teaching materials. The Department plays an important role in delivering Australia’s education and is responsible for national policies and programs. They also advocate for special needs education, manage complaints and educationbased investigations.

Individual State and Territory Governments have programs and resources available to provide extra support for students with disability. To learn what educational support is available for your child, contact the Department of Education in your State or Territory.

For ACT Education call 02 6205 5429 or visit education.act.gov.au . For the New South Wales Department of Education call 1300 679 332 or visit education.nsw.gov.au . For Education Queensland call 13 74 68 or visit education.qld.gov.au . For the Tasmanian Department of Education call 1800 816 057 or visit education.tas.gov.au and for the Department of Education and Training Victoria call 1800 338 663 or visit education.vic.gov.au

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may fund supports to enable your child to attend school. These supports could include transport to and from school, mobility aids and assistance with transitioning from primary to secondary school.

A range of support options is available to assist your child throughout their schooling years, with most schools catering for students with disability

Employment and volunteering options

A key goal of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is to promote employment of people with disability. Financial independence, improved health and wellbeing, building social networks and finding a sense of purpose are just some of the benefits of having a paid or unpaid job.

Building capacity and economic participation through employing people with disability also reduces the need for full-time support and day programs, giving family members and carers more time to participate in the community or work in their own job.

If you have a disability and want to work, there are a few avenues you can take.

Disability Employment Services

Disability Employment Services (DES) can help

you find and maintain work in a mainstream environment, known as open employment.

DES is not funded under the NDIS but by the Department of Social Services.

DES can help with the preparation for work through training in specific job skills, allied health services to help improve work capacity, job search support, resumé development, interview skills and work place modifications.

To find out more call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or visit jobaccess.gov.au.

Australian Disability Enterprises

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) are companies that employ people with disability in a supported working environment. ADEs typically support people with disability who may struggle to find or keep a job in a mainstream environment.

Supported employment at an ADE is funded by the NDIS under the support category ‘Finding and keeping a job’.

ADEs can help you to gain training and experience to either transition into open employment or continue in supported employment if you prefer.

Disability Enterprises currently employ more than 20,000 Australians with varying degrees of disability across 600 locations nationwide.

ADEs offer a wide range of roles within a number of industries including manufacturing, packaging, administration, horticulture, cleaning and warehousing, printing and hospitality.

ADEs also adjust daily tasks, jobs and workplace settings to suit individual abilities, interests and skills. Many also offer on-the-job training and development in areas such as work health and safety, behaviour management, public transport, literacy and numeracy and money management. Visit buyability.org.au online or call 1300 043 517 to find supported employment opportunities near you.

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

If you’re in your final year of school and would like a job when you leave, you could access NDIS funding for School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES). This support option offers individualised assistance for up to two years after finishing Year 12 to help build skills and confidence to transition from school to work.

Disability Employment Services can help you find and maintain work in a mainstream environment

Photo: Daryl Charles supplied by Eurella Community Services, NSW

SLES is an individualised approach to funding employment supports like work experience in open or supported employment, travel training, job-readiness training such as resumé writing and job searching, money handling and how to communicate with others in the workplace.

Any NDIS-registered provider can deliver SLES supports. Your chosen SLES provider will work with you to identify supports which will help you achieve your individual employment goals.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another great way to meet new people, learn new skills , build your confidence before transitioning into employment and become involved with your community in a fun and supportive way.

Volunteering is freely giving your time to help another person, organisation, group or cause and can also help build your confidence before transitioning into employment.

Accessible transport

Volunteering has been linked to increased health and wellbeing and improved self esteem, while also reducing stress, loneliness and depression.

There are many places you could volunteer, including animal welfare organisations like the RSPCA, local thrift shops, environmental conservation organisations, Meals on Wheels and Australian Red Cross.

To find volunteering opportunities in your community, head to Volunteering Australia’s website volunteeringaustralia.org.

If you would like to volunteer in your community but feel you need some assistance, like a support worker to go with you, you can apply for NDIS Core funding under ‘Assistance with social and community participation’.

To find providers who offer employment support turn to the Advisors section starting on page 177.

Access to transport is critical for people with disability in enabling them to participate in work, study, leisure and social activities. For people with limited audio and visual capabilities, public transport can present some challenges.

People with a cognitive disability may also need additional travel supports to aid in perception, comprehension, learning, memory and concentration.

There is a range of subsidies, permits and allowances available to make getting around a bit easier if you have a disability.

If you are still able to operate a car you may be eligible for the use of a disability parking permit. You may be able to get a permit if your impairment severely restricts your speed of movement, your ability to use public transport and you have a permanent physical impairment or a temporary impairment likely to last for longer than six months.

To get a disability parking permit you must fill out an application form, ask a medical

practitioner to complete and sign the relevant sections and submit the form to your local council.

Public transport

The majority of public transport services across Australia, including buses, trains, trams and ferries, are accessible for people with disability or mobility issues.

Buses may have low floors and ramp systems to allow people with disability to safely enter and exit the vehicle.

There usually are allocated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Bus stations and stops are also fitted with tactile paving if you have a vision impairment and hearing augmentation if you have a hearing impairment.

Volunteering has been linked to increased health and wellbeing as well as improved self-esteem

Transport alternatives

If you can’t use public transport there are a number of other ways to travel around your city and you may be able to receive assistance for these through the NDIS.

Taxis are a private and comfortable transport method for people who can’t easily access public transport. Drivers can help you enter and exit the vehicle if you need assistance. You may be eligible for subsidised taxi fares through State or Territory based taxi subsidy initiatives.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are purposebuilt vehicles complete with hydraulic lifts to secure passengers with wheelchairs and scooters safely into the taxi.

Community buses are another great option for people with disability. They are run through councils and community centres with the help of friendly volunteers. People with disability and the elderly are given priority access to these buses. You may need to call ahead to get information on the schedule of buses with wheelchair access. Call your local council to find out if they offer community transport. Private, local community transport services are offered by a range of organisations, such as Red Cross and some councils, for a reasonable price. Often these services organise ‘day trips’ which is an opportunity to socialise with people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, with a particular focus on the elderly and people with disabilities.

Supporting your rights

When a problem arises it can be hard to speak up and take control of how you want to live your life. This can be particularly difficult if the concerns you have are about care or services that you are relying on for meeting your most basic needs.

Many people find it difficult to raise a complaint or concern but it is important to address your concerns early and not leave it to escalate. This is where a disability advocate can play an important role.

Disability advocates can act as a voice for people with disability by campaigning for social change, equal rights and opportunity. This can include speaking, acting or writing on behalf of the interests of a person or group in order

to protect, promote and defend their welfare or justice.

An advocate can enable and support you by helping you understand your rights, listening to your concerns and discussing your options for raising that concern. They can assist with negotiating changes to your plan, give advice and support when dealing with service providers and help you overcome any barriers that may impact on your ability to participate in your community.

Community transport options may provide free or low cost transport services to people with disability

There may be times when you don’t feel listened to or feel like decisions are being made for you without any consideration of your thoughts, feelings or opinion. This is where disability advocates can play a vital role.

There are a number of different types of advocacy, each with a different focus.

The six advocacy types are:

⃝

Citizen advocacy – aligns you with volunteers who become loyal supporters and campaign for your rights.

The Australian Government’s National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) is a program that ensures people with disability enjoy and exercise their human rights within their community.

⃝

Family advocacy – helps family members of people with disability to advocate on behalf of their loved one.

⃝

Individual advocacy – works with individuals on eliminating discrimination, abuse and neglect.

The program enables access to local disability advocacy support and helps smooth out issues between people with disability and their service providers, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), employers, other organisations and the broader systems, such as education.

⃝

Legal advocacy – maintains your rights by addressing the legalities of discrimination, abuse and neglect.

To find a Government funded disability advocacy agency near you, search your local area on the Disability Advocacy Finder, visit disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au or email disabilityadvocacy@dss.gov.au

⃝

⃝

Systemic advocacy – reduces barriers and discrimination you may face.

Self advocacy – supports you in advocating for yourself, or as a group.

Carer support

Families and carers of people with disability provide everyday help and support that cannot be beaten! Roughly 2.7 million Australians look after someone with disability, a mental health condition, a medical condition or the elderly.

Being a carer can have a huge impact on your life and physical and mental wellbeing – as well as being isolating at times. There are some great support options available to assist you if and when the role of a carer becomes too much.

The Government initiative Carer Gateway is an Australia-wide network that connects carers with support services around the country.

Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit CarerGateway.gov.au to connect with local support and services to help you with your caring role.

Counselling services

Professional counselling is held in individual, couple or family sessions. Some counsellors offer their services over the phone, by email or through webcam. It is a great way to talk to someone about how you are feeling and learn some strategies to help you cope in a private and trusted environment.

If you feel more comfortable having a one-onone session or involving other family members, counselling is a good option for you.

Attending a counselling or therapy group is a good way to share your experiences and feelings with like-minded people and is important in proving you are not alone.

An advocate can enable and support you by helping you understand your rights, listen to your concerns and discuss your options for raising those concerns

we’re

You can learn a lot from other people in similar situations, build a support network and make some new friends.

Carer support groups

Community run carer support groups can offer a safe and understanding environment to talk about your caring role. These groups can be organised around caring for someone with a particular disability or condition and offer the support and advice of other carers who are or have experienced situations similar to yours. There are also support groups available for Indigenous Australians or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) carers.

Carer support groups are completely confidential, can provide practical and emotional support and also help you to discover new information, attend education or training workshops, and get involved in leisure activities or relaxing outings.

Groups are free of charge and meet regularly in community spaces.

Respite care

Sometimes you need to take a break from your carer role to refresh, attend appointments or need someone to take over when you are unable to care due to illness or time away.

Carer Gateway can help with access to information and other supports appropriate to your needs, while also providing options for short-term and emergency respite. Regular respite can help reduce your need for emergency respite, and if required, Carer Gateway can help organise a plan for this.

Information on local carer support, disability and community services from Carer Gateway is free and confidential. To find out more call 1800 422 737.

Support lines

There are a number of support lines and websites to assist carers just like you in looking after someone with disability. Many support lines offer free or subsidised counselling. Some helpful support lines include:

⃝ Carer Gateway – 1800 422 737 – helping you connect with local support services and other carers in a similar situation, and provide advice on a range of topics such as health and wellbeing, financial and legal considerations

⃝ Carers Australia – 1800 242 636 –runs support programs including short term counselling for carers with qualified counsellors

⃝ Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277 – offers a range of services, such as counselling and mediation, by phone, online and face-to-face

⃝ Lifeline – 13 11 14 – offers 24/7 crisis support and phone counselling

Financial support

You may be eligible for income support through Carer Payment or Carer Allowance from Centrelink if you and the person you are caring for meet the requirements. Call 13 27 17 Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm or check online at servicesaustralia.gov.au to see if you are eligible for financial support as a carer.

Being a carer of someone with disability can take its toll on your physical and mental health. Your role is important but it’s equally important to look after your own health and wellbeing. Try to take some time out for yourself to see a movie, do some exercise or socialise with friends.

Remember to keep an open line of communication between those around you and speak to a trusted family member or friend if your carer role is starting to impact on your health and wellbeing.

There are a number of support options available to assist you if the role of a carer becomes too much

In Home & Community Support

We agree. Mercy Health is here to support you to age well by achieving your goals and living your life the way you choose. We have been supporting people living with disability since 2006 and will be with you every step of the way to ensure you make every day count.

help to navigate your NDIS options, understand if you are eligible for support or to speak to a local disability services coordinator in your area call Mercy Health today.

“ Disability is not a life sentence, there’s still so many things you can do to get out there and live a happy and successful life.”

– Dylan Alcott, AO

About In Home & Community Support

These supports may include helping you find affordable, appropriate and secure housing, or assist you with transport and day-to-day activities. It will also ensure you can stay connected and part of your local community.

Depending on your needs, you may be able to get assistance with personal care or have someone come to your house and help you with cooking or cleaning. You may be able to learn new skills through supports so you can do these jobs yourself.

If you are being cared for by a family member or a carer, another form of support you may be able to access is respite.

This offers you and the person helping to care for you some time away from your home.

Bruce’s story

Bruce lives in a sociable house where there’s always something on – outings, Christmas in July, championship games and PJ and massage parties. Bruce would start the festivities saying, “Thank you for the food we eat, for the wonderful day, for where I am. Thank you for making me happy.”

These days, Bruce’s eyes sparkle brightly as he happily shares the many things he loves: the staff at his home, his flatmates and his community days. It is almost impossible to recognise him as the same person who moved in 18 months earlier. Bruce came from a nursing home where he was not receiving the support he needed. At first, Bruce slept with the lights on and door wide open at

In Home & Community

his Life Without Barriers’ Supported Independent Living home. He was under-nourished, very closed off, and suffered anxiety and depression. Bit by bit, his support team helped Bruce realise he was safe, and someone will always be there for him. They proved that healthy food could be tastynow snacks and canned drinks are Bruce’s treats, not his complete diet. He gained eight kilos in the first six months of moving in and now sleeps with his lights off and door closed. Earlier, doctors advised that one of Bruce’s legs had to be amputated because his sores were so severe that decay had set in. Geraldine, the

Team Leader at the Bruce’s home, was adamant that was not going to happen. Working together with Bruce, his support team cared for his legs over months. Today Bruce’s legs are healthy and free of sores, and they are now working on Bruce’s next goal: to walk again. Bruce was born with clubbed feet, but Geraldine is confident. “It may take years, but we will find a way,” she said.

Case study provided by Life Without Barriers

Support is available to help you live your life as independently as possible by making sure that your living arrangements and the help you get at home meets your needs.

In Home & Community Support

Many sport and recreational programs are targeted specifically at people living with disability or you may be able to get assistance to participate in mainstream social and community activities.

On the following pages we explain what In Home & Community Support options there are. The In Home & Community Support directory starting on page 59 lists providers who deliver services in Eastern Australia.

Child care

For many parents finding the right child care for their child is a struggle at the best of times. For parents of a child with a disability, this is even more so.

When contacting child care providers it is important to discuss your child’s needs and ask questions including their experience in caring for children with disability.

Child care can be expensive and the Government may help cover some of the costs. To get an estimate of what you may be entitled to, use the Services Australia Payment and Service finder on servicesaustralia.gov.au or call 13 61 50.

Community access and inclusion

Being a contributing and valued member of our community is a desire for many of us. We can participate through employment, education, sports and recreational activities and travel.

From programs designed to support you on your journey to employment, to volunteering opportunities and activities where you can work with other members of the community and meet new people. These supports can assist you in discovering your passions and help you become productive and feel valued.

You may notice accessible and inclusive facilities within your community. These include gardens and parks, recreational facilities such as swimming pool hoists at swimming centres, playground facilities with the use of wheelchair swing chairs, as well as accessible toilets, bridges, ramps and footpaths.

If you need help with accessing your community, a list of providers who can assist can be found within the directory starting on page 59.

Domestic assistance

If you are living in your own home, it is possible that at some stage you may require some assistance to make life easier, or assistance to complete everyday activities that will enable you to continue living independently.

Some of the most commonly accessed types of support and assistance may include cleaning, personal care, nursing care, meal preparation and delivery, home and garden maintenance and more.

Looking for domestic assistance? Go to page 59 to find providers in the In Home & Community Support directory.

Home maintenance and gardening

The NDIS can fund services to assist with cleaning, as well as minor house and garden maintenance. They can also fund training, aids and equipment to help you perform these tasks independently.

A trusted support worker can visit you in your home and complete tasks such as washing and drying your clothes and linen, vacuuming, dusting and general household cleaning.

Helping all Australians to eat well

Your garden can be kept well-manicured by lawn mowing, pruning, fertilising, sweeping and raking up leaves and cleaning gutters.

State, Territory and local Governments also offer programs that help with cleaning, home maintenance and gardening, although these usually come at a cost.

Look in the In Home & Community Support directory starting on page 59 for help with your home and garden.

Life skills

There are a number of supports available to assist and teach you life skills to help you live independently.

This support can range anywhere from a few hours a week, to 24 hours a day and can help develop skills and build your confidence.

Some important life skills that you can get support for include meal preparation, independent living, community participation and literacy and numeracy skills.

To become as independent as possible and fulfil your potential speak to your carer or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) about life skills support under the NDIS.

Turn to page 59 for a list of providers who can help you develop life skills.

Meals and shopping

Cooking meals and heading to the shops for groceries or other purchases can prove difficult if you have a disability. To assist you, support workers can help you decide what items you need and then accompany you to go and buy them.

Some service providers can go to the supermarkets on your behalf and prepare nutritious meals according to your tastes and budget.

When it comes to food preparation you can have the support worker prepare your meal or you can help and learn some cooking skills yourself.

If you need help with meals and shopping, speak to your carer or Local Area Coordinator to see if a support service can be included in your NDIS plan.

A list of providers offering these services can be found in the directory starting on page 59.

Multicultural support

If you identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and need some support, there are multicultural services available to meet your needs.

You may find it difficult to seek out services that would suit you, which is where multicultural support services can assist. A multicultural support worker that understands your cultural background and speaks your language can talk to you about the types of support that are available that match your cultural diversity. They will work alongside your family, community and health professionals to ensure you feel comfortable and get the help you need.

Read more about cultural diversity on DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au.

Personal care

If you need some help in or outside your home, support is available to help you live as independent as possible. This can be funded under ‘Core supports’ in your NDIS plan.

Some examples of personal activities you may require help with include showering, dressing, toileting, eating, grooming and personal hygiene tasks, getting in and out of bed and mobility.

In Home & Community Support

In Home & Community Support

Support workers can join you in running errands in your community, such as grocery shopping, going to appointments or attending social events.

To find personal support options go to the directory listings starting on page 59.

Respite

Taking a break from your carer is beneficial to the both of you. Not only does it help maintain positive family and carer relationships, but it allows you the chance to meet new people and experience new things.

Respite options include centre-based day support, overnight or weekend support, in home support, community-based respite, host family stays and emergency respite.

⃝ Centre-based day support is when you spend the day at a specialised centre, where trained staff know and understand your needs.

⃝ Overnight or weekend facility-based support is a flexible respite option which may involve in home support or staying with a host family.

⃝ In home support is when a support worker will look after you in the comfort of your own home, giving your carer a break.

⃝ Community-based respite can include one-on-one or group outings, social and recreational activities, camps and school holiday programs.

⃝ Host family stays involve staying in the home of a volunteer or host family.

⃝ Emergency respite is an urgent request for respite, if your carer is suddenly unable to care for you due to illness or an emergency.

To discuss respite services in your area, call the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

It is also a good idea to speak to your Local Area Coordinator about your respite options, especially if you want to access it on a regular basis.

Go to the directory section starting on page 59 to find respite options in your area.

Sports, social and recreational support

Being involved and active within your local community is good for your health and wellbeing and can be made easier with additional supports.

Support for sports, social and recreational activities can include having someone help you find activities you will enjoy, organising a companion to join you on your activity, having access to specialised sporting equipment, help with changing into sports clothes and assistance in manipulating equipment.

Some activities you may enjoy include outings to the movies or shopping centre, going to the park, cooking classes, art and craft classes, bowling, going to the beach, swimming, attending a sporting game, catching up with friends and attending community events.

Youth groups and holiday camps are regular activities enjoyed by many people. Trained support workers attend these outings to ensure you are comfortable and safe.

If you want to participate in sports, social and recreational activities, speak to your carer or Local Area Coordinator about your options under the NDIS.

Turn to page 59 to find sports, social and recreational options for people with disability in Eastern Australia.

Transport

If you need some help to get from one place to the next, transport supports are available to make your life easier. Being able to attend appointments, education, work and social activities are an important and essential part of your wellbeing.

A support worker can drive you to and from where you want to go, however, there are a lot of other transport support options. These will be included in your NDIS plan if you cannot use public transport because of your disability.

Subsidised taxi vouchers are available if you have a significant disability or use a wheelchair to help cover the costs of fares.

Some community transport services offer buses for people with disability and these are a great option if you are looking for social activities as they often organise day trips to places like the zoo.

For more information about transport options under the NDIS turn to page 46.

Discover transport support providers within the In Home & Community Support directory starting on page 59.

Travel and holidays

Going on holiday and traveling to new places can be fantastic and relaxing, but it can also be a logistical nightmare for people with disability to make sure all the supports you need are in place.

While difficult, it is definitely not impossible. And better yet, there are many services available providing accessible tourism or ways to foolproof your travel.

In Home & Community

Living with Confidence

When a loved one lives with a disability, it can dramatically affect a family's life forever especially if that person requires care. In most cases, this responsibility would fall to the immediate family, however, it is important to know that there is help available.

Meditech staffing is a registered NDIS and disability support provider that delivers support in the home or within an existing care facility. Clients can receive services through government subsidies self-funded privately paid services or a combination of both options. Meditech is a registered provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and icare provider. Meditech currently provides support to over 400 NDIS and icare participants across Sydney.

Jarred is one of our clients at Meditech who lives on the Central Coast. A few years ago, Jarred was suffering from severe diabetes and vascular-related health concerns. These health complications lead Jarred to have both his legs amputated. As a result, Jarred is in a wheelchair and requires support to for his activities of daily living and access to the community. Before, Meditech Staffing took over as his service provider Jarred was struggling to remain positive. He was making poor lifestyle choices and not engaging with his family and friends.

As a Meditech client, Jarred has made amazing progress with his support workers. As part of his services, Jarred receives domestic assistance, personal care, social support, transport services and community access. He has learnt about cooking and nutrition and is now confident to go out in the community. Jarred has also started to engage with his family and friends which has allowed him to regain his confidence.

Jarred also has a new pet dog named Max who is his best friend. Jarred loves to go out with Max to the beach quite often. Through the help of Meditech Jarred is doing really well and has been able to have a positive outlook on life.

“Meditech has been able to give me back my confidence along with making me realise how much I can achieve and do”

Choosing the right support provider is crucial to maximising your funding and tailoring plan services to meet your needs. Meditech Staffing is here to help as an experienced and widely respected registered NDIS and disability support provider.

Meditech has an outstanding team of people whose commitment and dedication underline our distinctive client focused service delivery.

Meditech will support you to live without limits providing an ar ray of services including:

• Professional case management and support coordination

• Well-trained, reliable staff

•

assistance

preparation

core

•

service

services

services

cleaning, and gardening service

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning someone is always available to take your call. A case manager will also be provided to help you manage your services and funding.

We promote enablement and independence for all our clients, making sure they are actively involved in their care plan.

To discuss how Meditech can help you please contact our friendly staff.

enquiries@meditechstaffing.com.au www.meditechstaffing.com.au

If you are intending to organise your own trip, there are some considerations to take into account.

Even if places, tourist sites, accommodation or travel groups say they are accessible, it is a good idea to call ahead and make sure they can accommodate you.

Share details about your trip with your doctor and see if they raise concerns about any items on your itinerary.

It is a good idea to carry detailed information about your medication and disability, signed by a doctor. If you are bringing medication along, bring a couple weeks worth more than normal, just in case of a flight delay or any unexpected hiccups.

When travelling to another country, look into any rules or requirements of the country and whether that can affect your travel. For instance, Indonesia is extremely strict on medication and what you can bring in. Talk to your pharmacist as they may be able to provide you with extra documentation.

There are travel companion organisations to assist you on the actual holiday, or businesses that can create your ideal holiday that is accessible physically, socially and mentally.

Depending on your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) package, you may be able to receive funding from the Government to help you travel.

Lastly, enjoy yourself. The whole point of a trip is to relax. Good planning is one way to achieve an even better holiday for yourself or the whole family.

Visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au for more information about accessible travel or to find providers who can assist.

Helping you at home

what

do.

local, we are experienced,

are different and

to

a wide

and the outcomes of care for our

are a small team who work

processes that

and we are a group of people that love what we do and want to

been developed over

www.eurella.org.au

9747-4810

9747-4810

info@eurella.org.au

info@eurella.org.au

Providers servicing Hunter region

D Divider

get the most out

some support in‑home or

to get out and really

are here to

age, no matter

call us today to see how

make

just

to

all

a

of

real

you,

can improve

get you back out

deserve and achieving

today about our

Annabel, learning the way she wants

Annabel started attending Endeavour Foundation’s Learning and Lifestyle hub when she left school and it’s safe to say she’s having a great time.

“It’s so, so fun and I like to learn for fun. They help me do my goals here. My goal is to go on a plane by myself and travel independently.”

Learning and Lifestyle hubs offer a safe and supportive environment for you to participate in a range of flexible learning and community access programs that are aligned to your personal and NDIS goals.

Learn to cook and budget, try our virtual reality programs, get fit and healthy, make friends and more! Call us on 1800 112 112, visit endeavour.com.au or scan this code to find out more.

Providers servicing Gold Coast region

NDIS Daily Living and Community Participation Support

the heart

Support Services is an inclusive community where people thrive by living life on their terms with purpose and dignity. We are a Not-for-Profit registered NDIS provider.

mission is to empower and enhance the lives of people and support them to live their life to its fullest potential.

the way with our values of Safety, Integrity, Respect and Accountability.

focus on ability, ‘what people can do’. We strive to become the partner of choice in supporting our people to shape their own lives.

Melbourne

Melbourne

Mercy

Montmorency

Therapists & Specialists

Therapists & Specialists

Behaviour support has positive impact

After experiencing trauma and family violence Anna was in need of support.

She was struggling to manage her emotions and was constantly in a heightened state, which led to her showing behaviours of concern.

The behaviours included physical and verbal aggression and property damage, putting her own and her family’s safety at risk.

Anna’s support coordinator recommended that she use her NDIS funds to access CRAMLI Counselling and Wellbeing Services, because of their specialty in behaviour support.

As the service was flexible, open and caring, Anna says CRAMLI actually made a difference in her life.

About Therapists & Specialists

Living with a disability can be challenging but there are a wide range of therapies and supports available to help make life easier for you. By having access to therapy or specialised support sessions you may be able to maintain or regain independence, manage behaviours or look after your mental wellbeing.

Specially trained medical and therapeutic professionals can provide services to help you communicate or gain strength to move, they may help with pain management or overcoming psychological issues associated with your disability.

For instance, you may need the services of a physiotherapist to help with movement, a speech therapist to help with communication or swallowing issues or a nutritionist to advise you on your diet. Occupational therapists can give

“After 26 years and many therapists, CRAMLI understood me and explained my diagnosis to me,” she says.

“I don’t know how they do it, but they do it right.”

Operating in Victoria and Cairns, Queensland, CRAMLI provides Anna with dialectical behavioural therapy and behavioural interventions.

The therapy helps her to learn skills to manage her emotions and regulation and to better understand her triggers and early warning signs that might lead to behaviours of concern.

She is also supported to develop and increase her tolerance and form healthy relationships based on safety and respect.

“CRAMLI taught me about my behaviours and how to change those behaviours in a non-clinical approach and I’m not sure how they did it, but they are able to slip things in to teach me how to regulate

The CRAMLI team helps Anna control her life.

Photo: Supplied

and manage my window of tolerance,” says Anna.

“The staff are supportive and always ensure they are able to accommodate my needs.”

Anna adds that the team at CRAMLI, “goes above and beyond without crossing boundaries”, which is important to her to get the most out of the therapy.

Adapting their service to each client to suit their individual needs is something CRAMLI prides itself on.

Case study provided by CRAMLI Counselling and Wellbeing Services

recommendations for equipment specific to your needs and other specialists can assist with teaching you life skills or help with self expression.

The techniques they use also vary. Some therapies are physical and can involve water or use specialist equipment like balance equipment or play therapy equipment such as swings. Other therapies such as speech therapy or occupational therapy may use games or toys.

A lot of specialists practice from a hospital or clinic, however, they may be able to come to your home to provide their services. Some therapists such as speech and occupational therapists can visit your child at their school for regular sessions which minimises the impact of missed classes. If you are caring for a loved one with a disability, you or other members of your family may also be entitled to receive support to help you in your caring role. This may be something general such as learning first aid skills, or it could be more specialised to the needs of the person with disability; for example, learning sign language or how to manage behaviours associated with autism.

On the following pages we explain what different therapists and specialists do and how they can help you. The Therapists & Specialists Directory starting on page 123 lists providers that deliver services in Eastern Australia.

Behavioural support

Behavioural support, or therapy, is used to treat a range of health conditions and disabilities. The therapy focuses on changing current, unhealthy or self-destructive behavioural problems or teaching you what is appropriate, socially acceptable behaviour. To do this, the behavioural therapist will try to understand why you are behaving this way and will develop strategies to support you.

This therapy can be used to treat depression, anxiety, anger issues and panic disorders. Conditions such as autism, ADD/ADHD and psychosocial disorders like PTSD, bipolar and OCD can also benefit from behavioural therapy.

There are four types of behavioural therapy:

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on how thoughts and beliefs can influence your actions and moods and how to change this.

2. Cognitive behavioural play therapy is commonly used with children to gain insight into what a child is uncomfortable expressing or unable to express.

3. System desensitisation is used to treat phobias where people are taught to replace a fear response with a relaxation response.

4. Aversion therapy is often used to treat substance abuse by teaching people to associate a stimulus that they find desirable, with an extremely unpleasant stimulus.

Behavioural therapy is considered extremely effective, with about 75percent of people undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy experiencing some benefits from the treatment.

Turn to the Therapists & Specialists Directory on page 123 to find providers that offer behavioural support.

Dietitians/Nutritionists

Seeking advice from a dietitian or nutritionist can benefit the general health and nutritional wellbeing of people with disability. A qualified nutritionist can provide a range of evidence-based nutrition services, including advice on food and nutrition and how it impacts on health. A dietitian can additionally provide

Therapists & Specialists

Therapists & Specialists

individual and group dietary counselling, medical nutrition therapy and food service management.

A dietitian or nutritionist may provide recommendations to help you maintain a healthy weight or manage your condition through a healthy diet. If you are a wheelchair user, a nutrition plan may play an important role in managing your condition, especially if you require a specialised diet.

A dietitian may also work alongside a speech therapist to help you overcome swallowing difficulties or food phobias.

You can find a dietitian or nutritionist near you in the Therapists & Specialists Directory starting on page 123.

Early intervention

The social, emotional and physical development of your child will affect how they mature and how their abilities develop in later life. If your child has a developmental delay or disability, it is important they receive quality support to

improve and develop skills to participate in daily activities and enable them to be the best they can be in adult life.

Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), children under the age of seven years old can access early childhood intervention supports to maximise their development.

There are also supports available if you are the parent, carer or family member of a child with developmental delay or a disability to help you in your daily life.

You can read more about early intervention under the NDIS on page 19 and find providers in the Therapists & Specialists Directory starting on page 123.

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages gain or regain their confidence and independence in everyday life.

They can assist you in making everyday activities easier, such as self-care, home maintenance, driving, shopping, mobility, education, social participation, leisure and play, employment and volunteer activities.

OTs play an important role in the disability sector, as they often help in injury rehabilitation, progressive conditions and disabilities that affect a person’s ability to manage in daily life.

They can help people with brain or spinal injuries relearn activities or determine new ways of accomplishing them. They can also help children with autism regulate their behaviour, help develop low muscle tone, improve concentration for learning and help children become aware of their bodies and spatial awareness.

OTs may recommend technological and environmental modifications such as aids and equipment, vehicle modifications and home modifications, as well as make suggestions for respite care.

To find an occupational therapist near you, look in the Therapists & Specialists Directory starting on page 123.

Paediatricians

Paediatricians are doctors who specifically look after the health of children, including physical, behaviour and mental health issues. They diagnose and treat childhood illness, infections and disease.

Up to the age of five, a paediatrician will see your child to complete physical examinations, give your child vaccinations, ensure they meet growth, behaviour and skill milestones, provide information, answer your questions and refer to specialists if required.

Paediatricians can closely monitor your child’s development and diagnose learning difficulties, ADHD, auditory or sensory processing disorders, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome, among a whole host of other health conditions. As they see only children, they have a lot of experience in recognising and treating childhood health issues.

If your child was born premature or has a health condition that requires close monitoring, a paediatrician offers specialised care. If your child requires the help of an occupational therapist, speech therapist, audiologist or other specialist, they will organise referrals and oversee treatment with their help.

A list of paediatricians can be found within the Therapists & Specialists Directory starting on page 123.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists work closely with their patients to help them feel better across a number of ailments. They assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a range of health conditions through massage, stretching and exercises.

If your child has a developmental delay, a physiotherapist can help with movement and coordination. They can create treatment programmes to help maintain muscle strength, increase flexibility and prevent stiffening of joints.

Physiotherapists can assist with movement, coordination and balance in people with conditions such as muscular dystrophy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and spina bifida.

They also work in injury prevention, acute care, chronic disease management, occupational health, rehabilitation and maintenance of functional mobility.

Find physiotherapists in your area in the directory starting on page 123.

Psychologists

Psychologists help people learn to cope more effectively with life and mental health issues. Some people see a psychologist to work through long-term problems, such as depression, anger or anxiety or short-term problems like grief or feeling overwhelmed.

Psychologists can help people cope with stress, overcome addictions and manage chronic illness which may affect their mental or physical health. To help with these health problems psychologists use evidence-based treatments tailored to best suit the patient’s problem, characteristics and preferences.

Common types of therapy used by psychologists include cognitive, behavioural or a combination of the two, interpersonal, humanistic or psychodynamic therapy. Therapy coupled with medication can prove more effective for some health conditions.

Psychologists play a pivotal role in treating people with psychosocial disorders, such as depression, bipolar, ADHD, PTSD and anxiety by helping them talk through, uncover and overcome their feelings.

You’ll find psychologists practicing in Eastern Australia listed on pages 123-142.

Therapists & Specialists

Therapists & Specialists

Speech therapists

Speech therapists can assist with speech, language, communication and fluency problems as well as swallowing difficulties, in both children and adults. They also help with augmentative or alternative communication where people who have trouble speaking learn to communicate in other ways.

Someone diagnosed with sensory processing disorder or auditory processing disorder may benefit from the support of a speech therapist as they can help with understanding language, reading, writing as well as developing social skills. They can also help children with a developmental delay and learning difficulties in reaching milestones.

Additionally to this, speech therapists can help with communication problems associated with stroke, brain injuries, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and dementia. People with Down syndrome sometimes find it difficult to speak clearly and may see a speech therapist to work on articulation.

Speech therapists often work alongside other professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, audiologists, psychologists, doctors and teachers.

Turn to page 123 to find speech therapists in your area.

Therapeutic supports

Therapeutic supports are products, aids and treatments that can help you gain valuable skills and improve your independence. These supports can assist in areas such as language and communication, personal care, mobility, movement, interpersonal interactions, behaviour and other skills that support a person’s function, development and wellbeing.

Therapeutic supports are offered by a team of health professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and psychologists, among others.

For example, physiotherapists may prescribe serial casting, splinting, stretches and an exercise program for babies with spina bifida. For someone with sensory sensitivities, an occupational therapist may suggest using a weighted blanket or sensory toys to help stimulate one or more of the five senses.

If you need therapeutic supports turn to page 123 to find supports near you.

Training/workshops

There is a broad range of training and workshop opportunities that are aimed specifically at the person living with disability or to help parents and carers to gain knowledge, understanding or skills to support them in their caring role.

If you are living with a disability, there are workshops that can teach you daily skills or life skills to help with confidence and self esteem and see you live a more independent life.

There are workshops to teach you how to handle money and budget, how to use public transport, how to make friends or you can get training to help you develop specific skills so it may be easier to find a job.

Training opportunities for family or carers can be general like first aid training, or it might be more specific to help you understand your loved ones disability or condition further and help you give the appropriate support.

Registered NDIS

Accommodation

When deciding where you’d like to live you should think about the location, style and accessibility of the housing and the support you need every day.

One option is shared housing with friends or people with similar needs. In this situation, you can share costs and help each other with tasks.

About Accommodation Accommodation

If you require help with some tasks, supported accommodation may be for you. You pay a fee to live in community housing and in return, you get your meals cooked for you and assistance with medication, laundry, finances and cleaning.

The right home makes all the difference

Sarah is in her mid-thirties and has limited mobility. Due to no suitable equipment being available, she was bed-bound at the Box Hill Hospital for two years.

In 2021, CareChoice Homes assisted Sarah to move into a brand-new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) property in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

This three-bedroom home, designed for high physical support needs, includes onsite overnight accommodation for a support worker. Sarah’s bedroom features an overhead hoist, which enables her to get out of bed and into her wheelchair every day. She’s now able to have pets and enjoys playing with her dog and galah.

Sarah receives Supported Independent Living supports from a dedicated team of CareChoice support workers. Sarah’s support staff

assist her with getting out of bed and into her wheelchair, personal care, preparing meals, medication administration, implementing recommended allied health programs, walking her dog, and playing games.

“I couldn’t live in this house without them, they help me with everything in my life,” Sarah says.

According to her support workers, the smile on Sarah’s face each time she is able to get out of bed and outside into the fresh air is just amazing to see. After being bed-bound for so long, just going outdoors is a huge achievement for Sarah.

Sarah makes her own appointments and engages with allied health professionals such as a behaviour support practitioner, a dietitian, an occupational therapist, and her GP. “Sarah is courageous and goal focused,” says her CareChoice team

leader. “She is regaining mobility on a daily basis and living a more fulfilling life. It is incredible to see.”

Being able to live in her CareChoice Home, with appropriate equipment and a fantastic team – and maintaining a positive attitude –has enabled Sarah to overcome challenges to live a more fulfilling life.

“I wouldn’t have the life I have now without the CareChoice family involved,” Sarah says.

Case study provided by CareChoice

There are different types of accommodation and living arrangements available depending on your situation and needs. You may choose to live with or without support, in your own home or with your family.

Sarah’s Specialist Disability Accommodation allows her to have a dog. Photo: Supplied

Accommodation

Group or cluster housing allows people with similar needs to live in a cluster of units together.

If you have very high support needs, you may be eligible for NDIS funded Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

Short-term and emergency accommodation can also be available if you meet the criteria, as well as respite care if you or your carer need some time away.

It is important to do your research to find the best accommodation option that will allow you to fulfil your potential and participate within your community. If you need help finding accommodation to meet your needs and circumstances ask your Local Area Coordinator.

On the following pages we explain different types of accommodation. The Accommodation directory starting on page 153 lists providers that offer different types of accommodation in Eastern Australia.

24-hour emergency accommodation

If you experience an emergency situation and are unable to stay in your current housing, 24-hour emergency accommodation services can help.

24-hour emergency accommodation can help in situations involving:

⃝ The death of a family member or close friend

⃝ If you or another family member are ill or injured

⃝ Natural disasters such as storm, fire, flood or earthquake

⃝ Breakdown of critical equipment

⃝ Domestic violence situation that puts you or a family member at risk

⃝ Homelessness with custody of children

⃝ Sudden and temporary increase in your support needs

This emergency care could include a substitute carer coming into your home to look after you or a visit to a facility specifically designed to cater to your needs until your primary carer is fit to care for you or it is safe to return to your home.

If you receive support from a disability service provider, it is worth contacting them to see if they are able to help you further by offering emergency care.

You can find providers who offer 24-hour emergency accommodation in the directory starting on page 153.

Housing and public housing

If you have a disability and would like to and are able to live independently, the house hunting journey begins.

It is important to live in a home that is safe, comfortable and accessible. If you are renting, having a landlord that is understanding of your disability will make things easier if you need to request home modifications, repairs or improvements.

A good place to start when choosing your property is to think about whether a house, townhouse, apartment, studio or unit would suit your needs best.

Then, make a list of some of the features the property must have in order for it to be ‘liveable’ for you. For example, wheelchair users may live in multi-level apartments thanks to lobby lift access, but be unable to live in a house or apartment with stairs.

There are three types of housing you may like to look for:

1. Accessible housing, designed for people who require step-free and barrierfree access and is able to accommodate wheelchair users.

2. Adaptable housing, designed to be easily adapted to meet the changing needs of its occupants.

3. Modified housing, designed with some modifications, such as an access ramp or bathroom alterations, already completed and available for use.

The Government may help by covering the cost of home modifications to ensure you can live safely and independently in your home. These could include minor modifications such as the installation of handrails, inside ramps, sliding doors and lever taps, or major modifications such as outdoor ramps, lowering of benches and cupboards, and accessibility modifications to the bathroom and laundry areas.

You may be eligible to access home modifications through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), but if you don’t own your home, make sure you have written consent from your landlord before undertaking any changes.

Your Local Area Coordinator can help you find suitable housing. Disability housing search websites such as the Government run TheHousingHub.org.au or DisabilityHousing.com.au can be helpful in kickstarting your housing search.

Turn to page 153 to find providers that can help with housing options.

Long-term accommodation

We all strive for ongoing housing security and living in long-term accommodation will provide peace of mind.

Long-term accommodation enables you to live as independently as you can, and have access to support as needed. For example, if you have a mobility impairment you may have someone come into your house to assist you with house cleaning or personal care tasks like showering.

A number of disability service providers offer long-term accommodation to help people with disability enjoy being a part of the community.

You can find providers who offer long-term accommodation in the directory starting on page 153.

Respite

Taking a break from your carer is beneficial to both of you. Not only does it help maintain positive family and carer relationships, but it also allows you the chance to meet new people and experience new things.

Respite options include:

⃝ Centre-based day support is when you spend the day at a specialised centre, where trained staff know and understand your needs.

⃝ Overnight or weekend facility-based support is a flexible respite option which may involve in home support or staying with a host family.

⃝ In home support is when a support worker will look after you in the comfort of your own home, giving your carer a break.

⃝ Community-based respite can include one-on-one or group outings, social and recreational activities, camps and school holiday programs.

Accommodation

Accessible accommodation is hard to find alone

Holidays are an important way to relax, take a break from everyday life, have new experiences or find adventure. Even on the best of holidays though, people with disability can have negative travel experiences due to accessibility barriers.

These range from tourist attractions that are inaccessible due to steps to amenities not offering an accessible bathroom, locations lacking disability permit parking or events not being sensory-friendly.

But it is even more important for the accommodation a person with disability is staying in to be accessibleand this is just as hard to find.

The experiences of Janet Murphy, her husband Neville, and her son Jesse Van Zetten show just how much of a difference using a purpose-built booking platform can make.

The family travelled through the centre of Australia for eight weeks last year and found their holiday accommodation was very hit and miss when it came to accessibility. But using online booking platform Accessible Accommodation made the task of finding the right place for their needs a whole lot easier.

Accessible features

Jesse has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, so the family needs certain accessibility features to stay comfortably.

They travel with a trailer full of Jesse’s equipment, so the first feature they need is space to park the trailer.

Ms Murphy and her husband also lift Jesse - who is six feet tall - in and out of the car together, so there needs to be space around the car for them to lift him safely.

Aside from parking, the family needs a hobless shower and spacious bathroom, and of course a level entrance to get the wheelchair in the door, with no steps separating the rooms inside the house.

“What we found with Accessible Accommodation is we booked their apartments and they were absolutely fantastic, they were accessible, they were everything we wanted,” says Ms Murphy.

“But the other ones we had to find ourselves. So we look at accommodation for the area where we’re going to stay and go on their website and the first thing we look at is the bathroom and then if they have any steps.”

Missing the mark

But sometimes, regardless of the research beforehand, they are disappointed with what they find,

which is exactly what happened in Coober Pedy.

“What we found when we got there was because it was underground they had a big step going down - which is okay, we could deal with that,” says Ms Murphy.

“We knew the bathroom was going to be okay because of the pictures they put up, but when it actually came time to give Jesse a shower we found the toilet was almost [fitted] into the shower.

“We had to shower him on the actual toilet and we flooded the bathroom.”

Stress-free bookings

By contrast, the family did not have any issues with the places they booked to stay in through Accessible Accommodation.

Ms Murphy says the video tours showing the features of each available apartment and the service offered alongside the information on the website made the holiday more relaxing and enjoyable.

“They’re awesome people because we told them what we needed and the accommodation they had was brilliant,” she says.

“All the accommodation that we booked through there was amazing and all the accommodation we actually booked [by ourselves] was really crap in a way.”

Plans for the family’s next holiday are already being made, with Accessible Accommodation’s listings the key to the destination of the trip.

Jesse enjoyed accessible pools while on holiday in central Australia. Photos: Supplied

“We told them what we needed and the accommodation they had was brilliant.”

Travelling for work

Property specialist Ross Chaplin knows all too well about the struggles of finding accessible accommodation from his travels across the country for work.

“I get around on sticks full time so I don’t mind a couple stairs, I can work with pretty much anything in a place, but it’s got to have a non-slip bathroom and it’s got to have a bath because I can’t use a shower,” he explains.

Since being referred to Accessible Accommodation by a friend with quadriplegia three years ago, Mr Chaplin has used the service about

20 times, for both corporate travel and leisure.

He says the level of detail in the service’s listings, as well as the multiple photos, videos and reviews from other customers all make it easier to find a place to stay with the right features.

“They overshare the information, which is the best thing,” says Mr Chaplin.

“As every disability is unique it’s good to be able to read the reviews and find out which review is probably most suitable for you and your needs.”

Using Accessible Accommodation to book stays removes all stress for Mr Chaplin

and the experience held by the team also helps in finding places that are not visible on mainstream booking platforms.

“If I’m going out to Dubbo for a night and I can’t find a motel that’s got a bath in it or accessible rooms I contact Kerry [from Accessible Accommodation] and she puts me on to the right place to stay,” he says.

“She can generally find places that I can’t find myself on booking.com or TripAdvisor.

“I know it’s always going to be suitable and that’s peace of mind for somebody who’s got a disability.”

STA

RESPITE, STA & MTA.

“Just knowing they’ve got that accommodation is so much less worry for you.”

Accommodation

⃝ Host family stays involve staying in the home of a volunteer or host family. It is a good option for children or young people with disability.

⃝ Emergency respite is an urgent request for respite, if your carer is suddenly unable to care for you due to illness or an emergency trip to the hospital.

Your eligibility for respite care depends on the type of care you need and the service provider. An assessment will determine your eligibility and what services will best suit you and your carer.

Find out more about respite services on CarerGateway.com.au or call 1800 422 737.

It is also a good idea to speak to your Local Area Coordinator about your respite options, especially if you want to access it on a regular basis.

You can find providers who offer respite in the directory starting on page 153.

Shared living

If you would prefer to not live alone and instead enjoy the company and support of a housemate, shared living is a good option.

This involves people with similar needs living in a cluster of units together, with access to support.

Some people with disability live with friends or others with similar needs, sharing costs, helping each other with tasks and providing mutual support.

Group homes are where several unrelated people live in a home with support staff. This style of accommodation is for people who need 24-hour support, including help with meals, personal hygiene, appointments and social activities.

Shared living arrangements provide the opportunity for people with disability to meet new people, develop friendships with their roommates, enjoy a social life and maximise their independence while also getting the support they need.

To find providers who can help find the best shared living accommodation for you, turn to page 153 for the Accommodation directory.

Short-term accommodation

Finding the right accommodation setting to meet your needs can be overwhelming, especially if you and your carer need to take a break or you are being discharged from a stay in hospital and need to find accommodation that will ensure you are looked after for a short period of time.

Types of short term accommodation include:

⃝ One-on-one short-term care where you are paired up with a support worker for a period of time that suits your particular needs. This can be spent in your home or out in the community participating in local activities.

⃝ Group short-term options match your needs with other people who may have similar needs and interests and enjoy participating in a group respite activity.

⃝ Facility-based is where your needs and interests align with shared short-term accommodation facilities.

Turn to page 153 to find providers who offer short-term accommodation.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a type of accommodation especially for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants with very high support needs.

The SDA funding covers the cost of a person’s home where they receive their day to day supports. Importantly, it allows people with disability to remain integrated into the community.

SDA gives people with disability a choice about their housing environment, ensuring they receive the right support and housing design for them, including lighting, access spaces and amenities.

If you believe SDA may suit you or a loved one, speak to your Local Area Coordinator.

You’ll find a list of providers offering SDA in the directory starting on page 153.

Supported independent living

You may enjoy living independently but also require some extra support to meet your daily needs. If so, supported independent living may suit you. This type of accommodation may include living in a block of units alongside other people with disability and receiving support in your home.

These types of supports could include laundry, cleaning, meal preparation and personal care.

You may be eligible for NDIS funding in a private rental home, own your own home or Specialist Disability Accommodation.

There are three levels of supported accommodation, depending on your needs and the number of people in the supported living setting.

⃝ Lower needs – supervision of living arrangements and support is not usually provided 24/7.

⃝ Standard needs – 24/7 support including assistance and/or supervision of most daily tasks and overnight sleepovers.

⃝ Higher needs – frequent assistance to the individual with managing challenging behaviours, continual assistance with all daily tasks, management of complex medical needs such as ventilation, active support 24/7 including overnight support.

Turn to page 153 for the Accommodation directory to find providers who offer supported independent living in your State or Territory.

Tenancy

Finding the right rental property if you live with disability can be difficult.

A home which suits your personal needs can be more expensive or further away from amenities and transport. If you are struggling to afford an accessible home or rental property, there is financial support available such as Rental Assistance through Centrelink.

To help explore rental housing options that meet your needs in ACT contact Housing ACT on 13 24 27 or visit act.gov.au/homes-housing, in NSW contact the Department of Families & Community Services by calling 1800 422 322 or visit facs.nsw.gov.au/myhousing and in Queensland contact the Department of Housing and Public Works on 13 74 68 or visit qld.gov.au/housing

In Tasmania, contact Housing Tasmania on 1300 665 663 or visit communities.tas.gov.au/housing. In Victoria contact Housing VIC by calling 1300 650 172 or visit housing.vic.gov.au

You can find a list of providers in the Accommodation directory starting on page 153.

Accommodation

Hello I’m Meaghan.

I love living my life independently, with support when I need it.

If your goal is to live independently like Meaghan, Endeavour Foundation can help you get there. We offer:

• Person-centred support from experienced support staff.

• Assistance achieving your NDIS goals and developing important daily skills such as housekeeping, personal care, social skills, and budgeting.

• Centrally located homes throughout Queensland with easy access to public transport, shops and community facilities.

• Modern and fully accessible homes, designed for your comfort.

Interested? Call us on 1800 112 112, visit endeavour.com.au or scan this code to find out more.

We are building brand new homes for Queenslanders with disability

Endeavour Foundation believes people with disability have the right to the safety and comfort of having a permanent roof over their head.

That’s why we are investing $45m in accessible housing through our My Home, My Life initiative – our biggest investment in our 70-year history.

My Home, My Life will provide 600 Queenslanders with disability the option to live independently in a home that meets their needs, now and into the future.

Bendigo

Divider

Divider

Advisors

About Advisors

Whether you’re trying to find a job, need financial advice or want to gain an understanding of the best supports available to you under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), an advisor who specialises in a specific area will be able to help you make sense of it.

There are employment advisors who can help you work through the opportunities available to you when you transition from school into the workforce, and financial services who can give advice on what affect your disability may have on your income and financial situation. Or you may need help from a plan manager to navigate the funding system to make sure you get the most out of NDIS supports services.

Advisors can help make your life easier and will work with you to ensure you get the best outcomes for you. They can look at your personal circumstances and what you’re trying to achieve and give you advice on what steps need to be taken.

On the following pages we explain what different Advisors do and how they can help you. The Advisors directory starting on page 185 lists providers delivering services in Eastern Australia.

Louise has a passion for art

“Art is my voice and my mindfulness and thus a key to attempting to be healthy.”

When Louise Marson joined the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) after acquiring a brain injury and living with disability and mental illness for seven years, a key goal in her NDIS plan was to heal through developing herself as a professional artist.

Supported by a multidisciplinary team - including a general practitioner, counsellor, support coordinator and an art mentor - Louise works on her art practice eight hours a day, six days a week.

“It’s dirty, dusty and time-intensive, but I love it!” she says.

With much of Louise’s time and energy devoted to creating art - and even to developing a documentary about her

art practice - there’s little room left for time consuming plan administration. That’s where My Plan Manager comes in.

My Plan Manager is at the forefront of developing technological solutions that make it easier for people to manage NDIS plans, and to set and spend their budgets so they get the most value out of those plans.

With My Plan Manager by her side, Louise is free to focus on her goal of contributing to the community meaningfully through her art.

“I don’t have to worry about paying my bills. My Plan Manager makes payment to my NDIS team really quick and streamlined. I know that my team will be paid correctly and efficiently, on time and in a consistent manner,” says Louise.

“If there’s an area that’s underfunded or overfunded, I can easily ring My Plan Manager and they can walk me through that. I know that I’m in good hands.”

Visit www.myplanmanager.com.au or call 1800 861 272 to find out how plan management can support you to get the most out of your NDIS budget –and your life.

Case study provided by My Plan Manager

Advisors

Louise’s art allows her to contribute to the community.

Photos: Supplied

Advisors

Assessments

Before you can start any type of therapy or support it is common to have an assessment first. The purpose of assessments is to get to know you, understand how your disability affects your daily life and what support you need to help make your life easier.

You’ll meet the therapist that will support you through the sessions or a clinical director and they will also discuss with you what you would like to achieve through the therapy sessions and what the therapy will involve.

An assessment will identify what your needs are to make sure you receive the appropriate support. In some cases the professional can refer you to other specialists for additional support.

Before you start using special equipment such as a wheelchair, hearing aids or home modification equipment such as grab rails or ramps, it is best to have an assessment to make sure that the equipment you’ll be using is right for you and your circumstances.

To find providers that offer assessments near you, turn to the Advisors directory starting on page 185.

Case coordinators

Case coordinators are highly qualified workers who can meet with you to discuss your needs. They act as overarching case managers, assigning support coordinators to coordinate the supports required in your NDIS plan.

These important coordinators talk to providers about the supports you need and take case notes to support insurance or legal claims.

Case coordinators will identify what supports you may need and keep well documented information about you and what you require. They will then hand the plan of action over to a support coordinator to implement your supports.

To find case coordinators in your area, turn to the Advisors directory starting on page 185.

Education support

By law every child is entitled to the same education opportunities. For students with disability, schools must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to student learning programs and the school environment. To ensure a safe and inclusive environment for students with disability adjustments can be made to the way the classroom is set up, the approach to teaching and learning, ways students are assessed for progress, as well as planning to meet individual needs and ongoing training for staff.

In each State and Territory, the Department of Education is responsible for day to day supervision of students. This includes employing appropriately trained staff, providing learning aids, organising transport for school activities, adjusting the school curriculum and ensuring the school buildings are easily accessible. However, some supports may be covered through the NDIS.

You may receive education supports through your NDIS plan if you need assistance with self-care at school, specialist transport, portable equipment or specialised, intensive support when transitioning between schools.

Students with disability can access additional support at primary and high school through both internal and external services.

This can include special programs within the school, specialised schools, counselling, tutoring, as well as teaching aids and allied health supports. Support is also available at most preschools, kindergartens and early learning centres. Specialist advisors can give you further information and guide you if you are interested in continuing in higher education or vocational education and training.

Read more about education support for students with disability on page 42. To find providers that offer education support services go to page 185.

Employment support

As well as increasing your independence and participating in your community, finding employment will help you develop new skills. An employment support advisor can offer career advice and help you plan an employment pathway, so you can work towards your employment goals.

To help with some basics, employment services may assist with writing your resumé or finding other professional development opportunities. They may also support you by finding on-the-job training or support your employer to assist you in your work.

Service providers can also help support you in your employment by providing the opportunity for you to work within a service provider owned business. This is known as ‘supported employment’.

Once you have found a job, you can receive one-on-one support to help you maintain your employment and smooth out any difficulties you may face. There are a number of Government programs which aim to support people with disability in finding and keeping employment.

Read more about employment and volunteering options on page 43 and turn to page 185 to find employment support options near you.

Financial services

Living with or looking after someone with a disability can impact your life financially. Financial services such as financial advisors can assist in budgeting, organising finances and planning for the future.

If your disability means you are unable to work you may be eligible for a regular payment from the Government. Financial advisors can offer advice on how to manage your income and any financial assistance you receive. They can also help in planning for the future, especially if you are under the care of a family member. Financial services can also be appointed to make financial decisions on your behalf.

The Financial Planning Association of Australia can help you find an accredited planner in your local area, however, it is always a good idea to ask financial planning companies if they have previous experience in handling the monetary matters of people with disabilities. Some financial planning companies even specialise in this.

To find financial services turn to page 185 of the Advisors directory.

Advisors

Advisors

Intervention support

Intervention support is an umbrella term for all the different supports available to help you gain or regain your independence and increase your participation within your community.

These supports could include strategies to prepare you for employment, such as assistance in looking for a job, training and skill building or support in finding community activities that interest you.

Intervention support plays an important role in helping you live a fulfilling life and achieve your goals.

Turn to page 185 to find providers in the Advisors directory section offering intervention support.

Plan managers

Implementing your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan and finding providers that are right for you, can be really stressful to do by yourself. If you don’t want to self-manage your plan or have the Government agency manage your NDIS funds, a plan manager can help. Having a plan manager can make the implementation and navigation of your plan easier.

Plan managers can help you make the most of your funding while being able to use both registered and non-NDIS registered providers for your supports. They give you the freedom of choice and control without all the responsibility of self-managing your NDIS plan.

Instead of contacting the NDIS to access your funding or talking to providers directly about payment, a plan manager is your financial third party who handles all monetary agreements on your behalf.

They receive invoices from your providers, pay invoices, claim funds from the NDIS portal and provide you with a monthly statement showing your funding spending.

Depending on who you choose as a plan manager, they may provide other accompanying services or ‘skill building’ options, including the set up of service agreements with providers, provide perspective on budgeting options, build your financial literacy around the NDIS, and potentially help develop your own skills at managing your NDIS funding.

At your NDIS planning meeting you can discuss how you want your funds managed and you can choose a plan management provider. Your support coordinator can help you select the best plan manager for you.

When selecting a plan manager, look at reviews of their business and try to meet them face to face or arrange a video call to gauge whether they are the right fit for you.

A good plan manager is impartial and always keeps your needs as a priority when providing their expertise.

To find a plan manager near you turn to the directory tables starting on page 185.

Support coordinators

Support coordinators will help you achieve the outcomes you want from your NDIS plan and support services. Their overall aim is to build your ability to have choice and control over your services.

To do this they will help you understand what is included in your plan and help develop your skills so eventually you will be able to implement and manage your own supports and live your best life. They can also connect you to community, mainstream and other Government services.

To meet your individual needs and help you reach your goals, there is no ‘one-sizefits-all’ approach and support coordinators will support each person differently.

To be able to help you get the support you need, support coordinators will need to:

⃝ Understand you, your disability, your family situation or support network

⃝ Liaise with and involve service providers that can meet your and your family’s needs

⃝ Highlight any barriers standing between you and support services and/or achieving your goals

They are also responsible for:

⃝ Ensuring there are adequate funds available to fulfil your support

⃝ Resolving any problems that arise between you and your service provider

Support coordination can be broken up into three levels and how much funding you receive in your plan will depend on your individual circumstances, goals and aspirations.

The three levels of support coordination are:

⃝ Support connection – helps develop your ability to take control of your NDIS plan and supports by maintaining relationships with your service providers, resolving any issues and connecting to support services.

⃝ Support coordination – helps you navigate the often confusing and complex service delivery environment by developing your skills in connecting with, coordinating and managing your support services. It also builds your confidence in reaching out to service providers that will help you meet your individual goals.

⃝ Specialist support coordination – is suited for people in high-risk situations and with very specific needs due to challenges with health, education, or justice services. It will help you address and work through these complex barriers and assists you in connecting to appropriate support services. Specialist support coordination is a high intensity support and is only appropriate under exceptional circumstances.

The main difference between ‘normal’ support coordination and specialist support coordination is that the specialist support coordinator is a qualified and experienced practitioner such as an occupational therapist or a social worker.

Because support coordination is essentially seen as Capacity building it is generally time-limited support. This means that over time, as your understanding, skills and confidence grow, you will be able to manage your services almost independently and the need for support coordination reduces.

Turn to page 185 to find providers in your area that offer support coordination services.

Our work gets people heard. Older people, people living with disability, people experiencing mental health, alcohol or drugs issues, all get a voice. Our work resolves confusion around rights. Our work gets questions answered. Our work gets people the assistance they desperately need. Our work puts power back in the hands of people, often by giving them choices, choices they didn’t know they had.

And we work to correct systems, which directly led to a review of the Public Trustee and guardianship by the Department of Justice.

But our work is far from done. We will continue to work to ensure Tasmanians’ human rights are upheld.

AdvocacyTasmania

advocacytasmania.org.au

Western Support Services is a registered NDIS provider, providing support services to participants with disabilities and we help ensure you live as independently as possible.

We understand that every individual has unique needs and goals, and that is the reason we tailor our support services accordingly. Our focus is to maintain the wellbeing of the participants, whilst building their capacity to engage within the community and providing assistance to help them achieve their goals. We work towards safety as much as we encourage independent living, thereby making it easier for participants to live comfortably in a range of environments.

Our qualified and experienced team of support workers makes sure that you live your life the way you want to as an active member of the community. You are our foremost priority and we ensure that you are happy in your space.

VISION:

help connect, build and sustain an inclusive Society.

MISSION: To create and deliver exceptional services in supporting the community and empower people with disabilities from diverse cultures to reach their full potential.

Peninsula

Statewide

Equipment & Technology

About Equipment & Technology

You can use the wide range of equipment and technology that is available to help you with tasks you wouldn’t normally be able to do, or to make them easier and safer for you to do them.

These devices or systems can give you confidence with everyday living by assisting with mobility, communication and personal care. They may also reduce the need for assistance from another person and in some cases, may prevent or slow the development of further impairment.

Common equipment such as handrails or bathroom chairs can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ while others, such as a prosthetics, can be tailored specifically for your needs. Technology can also be used to make life easier by modifying devices and appliances, such as vehicles and beds, to make them easier to access or operate.

As technology is ever changing, it is worthwhile checking in to see what new products could benefit you.

On the following pages we explain what different Equipment & Technology options there are and how they can help you. You’ll find a list of providers servicing Eastern Australia in the Equipment & Technology directory starting on page 242.

Ethan’s new found freedom

Ethan is a 12-year-old boy with a huge smile and an infectious enthusiasm for participating in life. Despite this, life has always been challenging for Ethan. He has been diagnosed with a rare progressive neurological condition which has a huge impact on most areas of his daily life, from swallowing and communication to personal care and mobility.

Ethan has a personalised National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan in place, to not only meet his current needs, but also to work towards his future goals.

His mum, Lia says, “Having regular sessions with his therapists and being able to access appropriate equipment has made life so much better for Ethan and our whole family.”

This year, Ethan had the goal of being able to independently move around in

his community, including participating in an all-abilities sports group.

Although Ethan can move independently for very short distances within his home, he requires a wheelchair for all community access due to fatigue and difficulties maintaining balance.

Through equipment trials conducted with an occupational therapist and mobility equipment supplier Astris PME, Ethan and Lia were able to determine the most appropriate piece of equipment to meet this goal.

Lia recalls, “Ethan was so excited when he first trialled the wheelchair with the power-assist. It was obvious it was the right choice for him.”

Ethan’s new powered wheelchair is compact enough that it can be transported in the family car, but also gives him the independence to be able to drive it himself using a joystick.

Ethan absolutely loves his new found freedom as he doesn’t need to rely on someone else to push his wheelchair.

Through the collaboration between participants, therapists, equipment suppliers and the NDIS, lives such as Ethan’s are being improved every single day.

Visit astris-pme.com.au or call 1300 131 884 to find out more.

Case study supplied by Astris PME.

Equipment & Technology

Ethan’s powered wheelchair allows him to move around independently.

Photo: Supplied

Equipment & Technology

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is any device, system or design used to help you perform functions that you find difficult.

If you have a physical or intellectual disability, assistive technologies can be critical in allowing you to communicate, participate in everyday tasks and achieve independence. These technologies can also benefit your support network such as your family members, carers, teachers, employers and members of the community. Assistive technologies can also be referred to as inclusive or adaptive technologies and range from manual to electronic devices.

These devices and products do not have to be costly or high-tech. Some examples of assistive technologies include automatic door openers, touch screens, adaptive video game controllers, ramps and vehicle modifications. For example, assistive technology can help someone who is vision impaired read through the use of audio devices, or adaptive utensils may allow someone with limited motor skills to eat independently.

To ensure you are getting the right assistive technology for you, it is important to seek advice from a health professional or assistive technology specialist to help understand your goals and abilities, current environment, the location in which you will use your assistive technology and the features and options that may benefit you.

They can also help arrange the delivery of your product, assist in set-up, show you how to use the technology, answer any questions you have and provide ongoing support.

Providers that offer assistive technology in your area are listed in the directory tables starting on page 242.

Communication equipment

If you have difficulties communicating, there are different types of equipment that can help. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) are communication methods used to support or replace speech. These methods can be unaided, non electronic or electronic.

Unaided communication includes the use of hand signals and gestures, body language and touch cues.

Non-electronic communication is the use of written words, symbols, spelling and pictures to communicate. Some examples include a communication board or book. A communication board is a grid with two or more symbols that allows others to interpret what you are trying to communicate through pointing. These symbols can include pictorial objects, photographs, drawings, alphabet symbols or words.

Similarly, a communication book also works on ‘pointing’ in order to convey a message. The books can have a range of categories inside which help with expression, such as people, emotions and food.

Electronic equipment is another great way to assist with communication. Recorded speech devices work off recorded messages, which you select with a switch or button. Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) are used to create messages to be spoken out loud.

Specialised keyboards allow you to type a message containing letter, word or picture symbols. Voice amplifiers use a microphone near the person’s mouth or voice box.

It is important to consider your individual needs, cost, ease of use and options when deciding on the communication equipment that is best suited to you. Ask a communication specialist for personalised advice before making any decisions. If you need communication equipment, turn to page 242 to find providers near you.

Continence products

One in four Australians experience bladder and/or bowel control problems, so incontinence is a common issue that you can get help to manage.

There are a lot of products available these days that can help with managing continence. Products come in a wide range of sizes and styles and can either be discreetly hidden under whatever clothing you feel comfortable wearing or as covers on beds and chairs.

The types of products you might be able to use include:

⃝ Disposable or reusable pads, underwear and pants

⃝ Mattress, quilt and chair protectors

⃝ Catheters

⃝ Absorbent swimwear

For continence related free and confidential information or advice you can contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066, or talk to your NDIS contact about continence supports available.

You can find providers that offer a range of continence products in the directory tables starting on page 242.

Educational toys

For a child with disability, special needs toys can help with skill building and learning. These educational products can help manage fidgeting, develop fine or gross motor skills, handwriting and reading, hand function and interpersonal play. Sensory toys are particularly helpful for children with autism spectrum disorder or other sensory difficulties as they help children remain calm and focus their attention. Some sensory toy examples include water or sand tables, finger paint and light up toys.

Cause and effect toys help your child develop visual motor and grasping skills by allowing them to ‘cause’ a reaction. These types of toys develop hand-eye coordination, repetitive actions and sensory exploration which is helpful for children with autism. Some common cause and effect toys include water squirters and pop up or light up toys.

Puzzles provide many developmental benefits including improved cognitive function, strategy and decision making. Fidget toys can help children with ADD or ADHD. These toys promote concentration and self regulation while decreasing stress. Some examples include play dough, sensory cushions or stress balls.

Equipment & Technology

Gap in services inspires new support provider

Samantha* is a friendly person with lots of energy, who wants to experience all the world has to offer. But growing up in Victoria before the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was created, there were no supportive resources to help Samantha learn about relationships and intimacy.

Her sister, Alyssa, says although Samantha is “very empathetic” and has that side of relationships covered, the lack of support to learn about other factors affected Samantha’s safety.

“Watching my sister grow up into an adult and navigate through adult relationships and intimacy was challenging without a supportive resource,” says Alyssa.

“I would have to guide her on my own experience and knowledge when at times I was learning myself.

“There were also times where she didn’t understand what was normal and safe, so we would find out after the fact.”

This gap in services is something Patricia Vo, owner of Access Touch, wants to fill.

Using technology to fill the gap

Ms Vo recently started her company Access Touch, to provide young people with disability with the opportunity to explore their sexuality and intimacy on their own terms.

The service uses Artificially Intelligent (AI) robots, as an alternative to escort services, and provides linked therapy if individuals want to add to their experience.

The robots are essentially lifelike smart dolls that come in all shapes and sizes.

The AI feature of the robots means participants can interact with them as they would any other person, but also control the situation and take their time to get comfortable with the interaction - something that could be difficult to do when using an escort service.

Alyssa believes therapy involving these robots would have been ideal for Samantha.

“I think if Access Touch was available, it would have immensely helped,” she says.

“Although it always depends on the parent or carer about how closed or open-minded they are.

“Access Touch would have been a great option back then, because the only options you really had were sex escorts and porn.”

A community need

Ms Vo says the feedback she has had from meeting with families at events

like disability expos has shown there’s a community of people struggling with access to intimacy support.

“There’s a whole disability community out there that has been struggling with this sort of access that no one has been talking about and no one has tried to solve,” she says.

“The amount of overwhelming emotions that I have seen first-hand from families validates that this has to be done and this is needed.

“This is a human need, it’s a human right as well to be able to access sexual intimacy.”

Participants and families using Access Touch can choose to bring a doll home for a period of time to bring a degree of comfort to learning about relationships, and can add a therapy session or program with the doll to learn more about intimacy and consent.

The service has partnered with Pleasure Centred Sexology to provide the therapy as the business has experience in working with people with disability and people who have experienced trauma.

Post-pandemic connection

Access Touch currently has three female robots, but Ms Vo is on the hunt for more diversity and looking for nonbinary dolls as well.

Not only do the robots look like real people, they speak too!

The robot will not initiate a conversation, meaning the participant

*name

Access Touch offers Artificially Intelligent (AI) dolls for people to learn with. Photos: Supplied

“This is a human need, it’s a human right”

has to initiate interaction, however the doll will respond to a question.

The more a participant talks to the robot, the more talkative it will be in response.

The initial knowledge the robot uses is taken from the internet, but it also uses AI to learn and build on the interaction. For example, the dolls can learn a participant’s name.

But the idea is not for the service to replace relationships with people, just to help individuals learn in a safe environment so they can

then strengthen their connections with others.

This is particularly important as Australia recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, during which so many people have had to isolate and avoid face-to-face interactions, explains Ms Vo.

“What I didn’t want to do is replace human intimacy, that’s definitely not what we are about,” she says.

“What I thought it could do is to help people bridge the gap - it’s such a huge leap to go from having no social interaction during the pandemic to being intimate.”

As a family member who can see the benefits of Access Touch’s service, Alyssa has a message for families who may need support.

“Know when to get professional help, be open minded with new solutions,” she says.

“Be brave, and courageous to reach out, and have those open and honest conversations about sex, intimacy and education.

“The more knowledge participants have - the better equipped they are with protecting themselves against abuse or sexual harm, but also give them the opportunity to independently enjoy life to some degree.”

“What I thought it could do is to help people bridge the gap”

Access Touch founder Patricia Vo. Photos: Supplied

Equipment & Technology

Children with oral motor difficulties can benefit from oral motor toys such as bubbles, chewable jewellery and chewy tubes. Educational picture books also help children with disability understand common societal concepts and acceptable ways to behave.

Turn to page 242 to discover where you can find educational toys for your child.

Healthcare products

You may find that you need some help with personal care tasks such as washing or showering, dressing and maintaining your personal hygiene. There are products and equipment available that can help make these everyday tasks easier.

Personal hygiene products include disposable or washable incontinence products, feeding bibs, modified hair combs and wound dressings. Medical equipment, such as syringes and enteral feeding products are also available to those who need it.

You can speak to your doctor or specialist about which healthcare products are available to help your personal hygiene.

You’ll find providers that offer healthcare products in the directory starting on page 242.

Home modifications

Making some adjustments around the home by changing the layout, having special fittings installed or bringing in specialist equipment could make everyday life and activities easier for you.

These home modifications could include big changes like widening doorways for wheelchair access or lowering benches in the kitchen, or they could be as simple as installing a handrail or hiring or buying a lifting chair or a special bed.

If you’re looking into home modifications go to the Equipment & Technology directory starting on page 242 for a list of providers.

Mobility equipment

If you have limited mobility or are unable to use standard forms of transport you may want to look at mobility equipment to help you get around.

There are special scooters and bikes available, as well as motorised or manual wheelchairs, and special bicycles and tricycles for both children and adults, to help you get out and about within your community.

Go to the directory starting on page 242 to find mobility equipment providers near you.

Vehicle modifications

Having your own transport to get around increases your independence, and you may be eligible for funding to modify your vehicle.

Vehicle modifications can make it easier to get in and out of your car, help transport your wheelchair without having to lift it into the vehicle, or mean you can drive with specialised controls.

To find providers that can help with vehicle modifications turn to page 242.

How can Astris PME help you?

As market leaders in special needs equipment in Australia, Astris PME can provide solutions that match the needs of people with a disability, and help therapists achieve the best outcomes for every client, in every age bracket. We have a huge range of trial equipment available so if you would like to make an appointment with one of our Specialist Consultants, or enquire about any of the products and services we offer, please call us. We will be happy to help!

Call us on 1300 131 884 to find out more about our products and how you can arrange a COVID-safe trial at a location of your choosing or at one of our showrooms. You can also view our range on our website astris-pme.com.au.

Ear

Mosaic

Philp

Quality

Peter

The

Providers servicing

Action

Bendigo

Lime

Mercy

The

Providers servicing Melbourne region

Divider

Mental Health

Mental Health

Hayley finds magic through horse riding

Hayley, has always been an animal lover but it wasn’t until recently that she discovered the magic of horse riding at a farm located in Samsonvale, Queensland through disability support provider Open Minds.

Hayley was born with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and suffers from anxiety which can sometimes make community access difficult for her. The disruptions to routine brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic also heightened Hayley’s feelings of isolation and loneliness over the past two years, but thanks to Community Access Support from Open Minds staff, this new activity has greatly motivated her to get out and about again.

After an initial trial and assessment at the farm Hayley was accepted to join the program, which includes horse

About Mental Health

Approximately one in five Australians will experience difficulties with their mental health at some stage during their life. Some mental health conditions can have a long-term effect on your ability to function in everyday activities.

Mental health illness refers to a group of conditions such as schizophrenia, psychosis, anxiety, depression and eating disorders, among others. People living with mental health conditions may also experience poverty, isolation, unemployment, homelessness, poor physical health and discrimination.

It is important to know not every mental health issue is considered a disability but if the effects are long lasting or permanent then you may receive support through disability funding.

On the following pages we explain what different mental health support options there are and how they can help you.

riding, horse grooming, helping with Alpacas, rabbits, sheep, goats and much more.

Open Minds Support Workers assist and encourage Hayley to connect socially while enjoying her fortnightly activity, which Hayley believes will be a long-term practice in her life.

“I love the feeling of peace and calm from being with the horses,” says Hayley.

“Sometimes I get nervous about leaving my house but going horse riding is something I really look forward to.”

In addition to the emotional and psychological relief Hayley experiences through horse riding, it is also presenting her with a wide range of physical benefits, helping her to keep on track with her goal of exercising and staying healthy.

Community Access Support for people with mental illness or

disability involves a recreational or educational activity of their choice to increase social connection.

With over 100 years of experience, Open Minds works to enhance mental health and wellbeing by delivering a range of tailored options and core supports focused on the individual needs of each person. For more information, visit www.openminds.org.au/services.

Case study provided by Open Minds

Hayley always looks forward to connecting with the horses. Photo: Supplied

Mental health support

Living with a disability and the challenges you face on a day-to-day basis can affect your mental health. Dealing with physical limitations that may also affect your ability to work can lead to financial stress, depression or anxiety. Not being able to take part in social activities due to disability has also been known to lead to feelings of isolation and depression.

It is important to look after your mental health, as well as your physical health. If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression or stress there are helplines, support groups and professionals who can help you by listening to your story, allowing you to share your experience and learn from others and supporting you to manage and improve your mental health.

Helplines

If you need to speak to someone, have someone listen or be supported through a difficult time, helplines are a good general point of contact. They are often open to anyone, with some helplines designated to servicing and supporting people with specific needs.

Helplines are often run by non-Government organisations and can help by providing information and advice to you and your family and carers. They’ll allow you to remain anonymous if you choose and can also refer you to find other support services if needed.

Some helplines operate 24/7, whereas others are open within business hours only. You can find a broad range of mental health support options, including helplines, information and resources on the Head to Health website, created by the Department of Health. Visit headtohealth.gov.au to find out more.

Mental health nurses

Mental health nurses are specifically trained to plan and provide support, while giving you medical and nursing care. Mental health nurses help educate you and your family about your mental illness, provide counselling and strategies to help you come to terms with your condition, assist with medications and management of symptoms, link you with other health professionals, help with Centrelink services, housing and community programs and offer support while following your road to recovery.

You will find these nurses providing their valuable services and care in the community, in hospital mental health units, psychiatric hospitals and in nursing homes.

Psychologists

A mental health psychologist is there to identify and treat mental health and emotional issues that may be affecting your life.

This trained health practitioner is not a medical doctor and therefore cannot prescribe medications. Instead they can help you understand and resolve your problems, make changes in your behaviour and in doing so, improve your quality of life and mental health.

Psychologists do this through observation, assessment and experimentation to identify what will best suit each individual recovering from a mental health condition.

You don’t need a referral from your GP to see a psychologist however a management plan from your GP may assist with covering some of the cost through Medicare.

Turn to page 255 to find psychologists practicing in your area.

Mental Health

Mental Health

Psychiatrists

Like a psychologist, a psychiatrist will also identify and treat mental health and emotional issues that may be affecting your life, but because they are a trained doctor, they are able to prescribe medications to help treat you.

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, addiction, bipolar and eating disorders.

To do this they develop a management plan, provide lifestyle advice, seek second opinions from other health professionals, provide referrals and work alongside you, your partner, family or carers to help you understand your symptoms and treatments.

Your treatment plan may include medication, psychological treatment and brain stimulation therapies, such as electroconvulsive therapy.

To see a psychiatrist you will generally need a referral from your GP.

Psychosocial support

Psychosocial support is a non-medicinal treatment used to treat people with mental illness, meaning it doesn’t use medication. Instead it works by altering the person’s behaviours and relationships with society. Education is key to the success of psychosocial support.

The two main types of interventions include cognitive and behavioural therapy.

Cognitive therapy focuses on a person’s thoughts about themselves, their environment and their role in society. By changing negative internal dialogue to positive, the person can live a happy, healthy life. Some methods of cognitive therapy include individual counselling and group therapy with people with similar areas of difficulty.

Behavioural therapy is used to teach a person the skills needed to alter their behaviour. This helps people become more comfortable in social situations and overcome feelings of inadequacy or isolation.

To find psychosocial support near you go to page 255.

Social workers

Social workers make up the greatest percentage among mental health professionals. A social worker can support you on both a personal and social level to help improve your wellbeing. They will help you cope with problems in your everyday life by making recommendations and help you work towards positive outcomes.

Social workers possess high levels of compassion and empathy as well as good listening and problem solving skills.

They have an extensive knowledge of human behaviour and development. Social workers fight for social justice and equality for people in need. Within the mental health sector, they provide individual, family and couples therapy. You will find social workers in private practices and mental health units.

Social workers play an important role in identifying those in need, assessing needs, implementing an action plan, helping people adjust, connecting people to resources and support, responding to crisis and maintaining a caring relationship throughout the person’s recovery.

A list of social workers can be found in the directory starting on page 255.

servicing Central

servicing

resources

Definitions and often used terms

When going through all the information provided to you, you may come across some words you have not heard before or you are unsure of what they mean. We’ve put together a list of ‘definitions and often used terms’ where we explain the meaning of these words.

Access requirements – Criteria that need to be met for someone to become a participant in the NDIS. Read more on page 17.

Accessible – A place that is able to be reached, entered or used by every individual, including those with disability, for example by elevator, ramp or chair lift.

Advocacy – A person or organisation that acts as your voice and supports your rights. Advocates campaign and speak up for social change, inclusion, equal rights and opportunity. Agency managed – One of the management options available where the budget in your plan is looked after by the NDIA. Also see ‘Plan managed’ and ‘Self managed’. Read more about plan management options on page 36.

Assistive technology – A product, device or piece of equipment that helps maintain, increase or improve your skills and functional abilities.

Capacity building support – Funding for therapies and services that will help you build your skills and independence. Also see ‘Capital support’ and ‘Core support’. Capital support – Funding for aids and equipment to allow you to live independently or help your carer to support you. This can also include funding for specialist accommodation. Also see ‘Capacity building support’ and ‘Core support’.

Carer – Someone who looks after a person with disability. This can be a family member or a paid helper.

Carers statement – A document describing the care provided by an informal carer to a loved one to ensure the person with disability receives appropriate support in their NDIS plan.

Core support – Funding for supports that will help you go about your daily life. Also see ‘Capacity building support’ and ‘Capital support’.

Developmental delay – When a child develops at a slower rate than other children of the same age and doesn’t reach milestones at the expected times.

Diagnosis – The identification of a disease, disorder, condition or disability following assessments, tests and discussion about symptoms.

Disability – A physical, mental, cognitive or developmental condition that limits a person’s ability to engage or take part in everyday activities or interactions. The condition is permanent or likely to be permanent.

Eligibility – Whether a person is able to receive support through the NDIS.

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) – Supports available under NDIS for children under the age of seven years to help reduce the effects of a disability, improve their skills and limit the need for assistance in later life. Find out more on page 19

Formal support – When you pay someone to help you with activities like going to the shops, helping you shower or preparing a meal. You may find these people through an agency or your service provider sends these people to help you.

Funding – Supports paid for under the NDIS. These supports are documented in your plan and must meet your goals and needs.

Government funded – Money or funds for supports made available by the State/Territory or Federal Government.

Informal support – Help you’re receiving from family, friends and social networks with activities like cooking meals, going shopping or driving you to appointments. You don’t pay these people to help you.

Intervention support – A combination of the different supports available to help maintain or improve your independence and participation within your community.

Local Area Coordinators (LAC) – Local community organisations that have partnered with the NDIA to help participants access and manage the NDIS. Read more on page 18

Modifications – Changes made to an environment, product or equipment to make it easier to use or access to help increase your independence.

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – The independent Government agency that looks after the funding and coordination of the NDIS.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Government run program that helps support people living with disability or early intervention needs, to meet their individual needs, reach personal goals, participate in the community and increase their independence.

Participant – Someone who has been approved to receive supports through the NDIS.

Participant statement – a document describing the goals and aspirations you want to achieve with the help of the NDIS.

Plan – A document detailing the individual needs and goals of a participant and the types of supports that will be funded under the NDIS to help meet those goals.

Plan implementation – Organising the supports and funding within your NDIS plan so it works for you.

Plan managed – One of the management options available where a plan manager handles your NDIS plan and will look after the payment of services and products. Also see ‘Agency managed’ and ‘Self managed’. Read more about plan management options on page 36

Plan manager – A professional who can help you get the most out of your NDIS funding by handling the paperwork and payments associated with your supports.

Plan review – Meeting with your LAC or NDIA representative to review your plan, measure your progress against your goals and discuss what supports are or aren’t working as well as explore and set new goals for your next plan.

Planning meeting – Meeting with a LAC or NDIA representative to discuss your needs and goals that will form the basis of a plan of supports.

Provider – A person or organisation that delivers services to people living with disability. Also see ‘Registered provider’. Registered provider – A person or organisation that has registered with the NDIS and meets certain criteria to provide a product or service to participants of the NDIS. Also see ‘Provider’. Respite – A break from your usual living or caring environment. This could be at a day centre, within the community, at someone else’s home or in home support. Scheme – Another word for program. Used as a shortened term to refer to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Self managed – One of the management options available where you organise supports and payments to providers yourself. Also see ‘Agency managed’ and ‘Plan managed’. Read more about plan management options on page 36 Service agreement – A contract between you and your provider detailing the types of services and supports that will be delivered.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) – Funding towards the cost of purpose built or specialist designed housing. Available under the ‘Capital supports group’ to some high support needs NDIS participants. Unregistered provider – A person or organisation that has chosen not to register with the NDIS and does not need to adhere to NDIA guidelines and pricing. Also see ‘Provider’.

National useful phone numbers and websites

Australian

Australian

Autism

Blind

Brain

1300 043 517 buyability.org.au

1800 219 969 afdo.org.au

1300 308 699 amaze.org.au

1300

beyondblue.org.au

1800 033

bca.org.au

1800 272 461 braininjuryaustralia.org.au

National Equipment Database 1300 885 886 askned.com.au

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia 02 7209 6301 lgbtiqhealth.org.au

Lifeline 13 11 14

lifeline.org.au MyGov 13 23 07 my.gov.au

National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 continence.org.au

National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 dementia.org.au/helpline

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) 1800 800 110 ndis.gov.au

Carer

1800 422 737 carergateway.gov.au Deafness Forum of Australia 02 6262 7808 deafnessforum.org.au

Department of

Department of Social

1800 020 103 health.gov.au

1300 653 227 dss.gov.au

Disability Employment Services (DES) 1800 464 800 jobaccess.gov.au

Disability Gateway 1800 643 787 disabilitygateway.gov.auFederation of Ethnic

Councils of Australia (FECCA) 02 6282 5755 fecca.org.au

First People’s Disability Network 02 9267 4195 fpdn.org.au

Headspace 1800 650 890 headspace.org.au

Inclusion Australia 1300 312 343 inclusionaustralia.org.au

NDIS Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) 1800 228 333 aat.gov.au

National Ethnic Disability Alliance 02 6262 6867 neda.org.au

National Relay Service Voice Relay number 1300 555 727 TTY number

133 677 SMS relay number 0423 677 767 communications.gov.au/accesshub/nrs NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission 1800 035 544 ndiscommission.gov.au

People with Disability Australia 1800 422 015 pwd.org.au Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 relationships.org.au SANE Australia

1800 187 263 sane.org Services Australia Information Service 13 24 68 servicesaustralia.gov.au

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia 1800 819 775 scia.org.au

Translating and Interpreting Service 13 14 50 tisnational.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory

Service Area Council

ECEI partner LAC partner

Hunter New England Armidale Dumaresq Gwydir Port Stephens Northcott 1800 818 286 ecei@northcott.com.au

Cessnock Inverell Singleton Dungog Lake Macquarie Tamworth Regional Glen Innes Severn Liverpool Plains Tenterfield Gloucester Maitland Upper Hunter Shire Great Lakes Moree Plains Uralla Greater Taree Muswellbrook Walcha Gunnedah Narrabri Guyra Newcastle

Illawarra Shoalhaven Kiama Shellharbour Lifestart 1800 953 390 info@lifestart.org.au

Uniting 02 8833 0570 lacinfo@uniting.org

Uniting 02 4253 6580 lacinfo@uniting.org Shoalhaven Wollongong

Mid North Coast Bellingen Kempsey Port Macquarie-Hastings Northcott 1800 818 286 ecei@northcott.com.au

blue sky community services 1800 241 675 lac@bluesky.org.au Coffs Harbour Nambucca

Murrumbidgee Albury Greater Hume Shire Murray intereach 1300 488 226 intereach-earlychildhood @ndis.gov.au

Berrigan Griffith Murrumbidgee Bland Gundagai Narrandera Boorowa Harden Temora Conargo Hay Tumbarumba Coolamon Jerilderie Tumut Shire

Cootamundra Junee Urana Corowa Shire Leeton Wagga Wagga Deniliquin Lockhart Wakool

Nepean Blue Mountains Blue Mountains Lithgow Lifestart 1800 953 390 info@lifestart.org.au

intereach 1300 488 226 intereach.murrumbidgee @ndis.gov.au

Uniting 02 4723 9444 lacinfo@uniting.orgHawkesbury Penrith

Northern NSW Ballina Kyogle Tweed Northcott 1800 818 286 ecei@northcott.com.au

Social Futures 1800 522 679 lac@socialfutures.org.auByron Lismore Clarence Valley Richmond Valley

Northern Sydney Hornsby North Sydney Cerebral Palsy Alliance 1300 888 378 eceienquiries@ cerebralpalsy.org.au

Uniting 02 9275 9441 lacinfo@uniting.orgHunters Hill Pittwater Ku-ring-gai Ryde Lane Cove Warringah Manly Willoughby Mosman

South Eastern Sydney Botany Bay Randwick Waverley Lifestart 1800 953 390 info@lifestart.org.au

Hurstville Rockdale Woollahra Kogarah Sutherland

South Western Sydney Bankstown Liverpool each 1300 003 224 info@each.com.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 south.east.sydneylac @ndis.gov.au

SSI Settlement Services International 1800 960 975 lac@ssi.org.au Camden Wingecarribee Campbelltown Wollondilly Fairfield

Southern NSW Bega Valley Goulburn Snowy River each 1300 003 224 info@each.com.au

Uniting 02 9275 9451 lacinfo@uniting.orgBombala Mulwaree Upper Lachlan Shire Cooma Monaro Palerang Yass Valley Eurobodalla Queanbeyan

New South Wales and ACT regions map

This map provides you with a geographical reference to the service regions in ACT and New South Wales

To help you find providers that offer services near you, we have sorted the directory tables into a number of regions. You can use the map below to work out which region covers the area you live in.

Providers that have indicated they look after all of New South Wales/ACT or those that did not specify a region with DPS are listed under ‘Providers servicing all of NSW/ACT’. If a provider services one or multiple regions but not all, they will be listed in each of the applicable regions.

NSW resources continued

Service Area Council ECEI partner LAC partner

Sydney Ashfield Leichhardt Lifestart 1800 953 390 info@lifestart.org.au

Burwood Marrickville Canada Bay Strathfield Canterbury

Western NSW Bathurst Regional Lachlan* Misssion Australia 1800 932 118 eceiwesternandfarwestnsw@ missionaustralia.com.au

Blayney Mid Western Regional Bogan* Narromine Bourke* Oberon *MacKillop Family Services provide ECEI support in these council regions 02 6882 5949 eceiwesternremote@mackillop.org.au

Brewarrina* Orange Cabonne Parkes Cobar* Walgett* Coonamble* Warren Cowra Warrumbungle Shire Dubbo Weddin Forbes Wellington Gilgandra

Western Sydney Auburn Parramatta Northcott 1800 818 286 ecei@northcott.com.au

SSI Settlement Services International 1800 960 975 lac@ssi.org.au

Social Futures 1800 522 679 lac@socialfutures.org.au

Uniting 02 8833 0500 lacinfo@uniting.orgBlacktown The Hills Shire Holroyd

NDIS 1800 800

NDIS 1800 800

New South Wales useful phone numbers and websites

Autism Advisory & Support Service 02 9601 2844 aass.org.au

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect 1800 277 328 autismspectrum.org.au

Aquired Brain Injury Services NSW 02 9748 7372 abis.org.au

Carers NSW 02 9280 4744 carersnsw.org.au

Cerabral Palsy Alliance 1300 888 378 cerabralpalsy.org.au

Council for Intellectual Disability

1800 424 065 cid.org.au

Deaf Connect NSW 1800 893 855 deafconnect.org.au

Disability Advocacy NSW 1300 365 085 da.org.au

Disability Learning and Support NSW 02 7814 3879 education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/ disability-learning-and-support

Down Syndrome NSW 02 9841 4444 downsyndrome.org.au/nsw Guide Dogs NSW/ACT 1800 436 364 nsw.guidedogs.com.au

Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW 1800 629 072 mdaa.org.au

Multiple Sclerosis Ltd 1800 042 138 ms.org.au

Muscular Dystrophy NSW 1800 635 109 mdnsw.org.au

National Disability Services NSW

02 9256 3111 nds.org.au NSW Companion Card 1800 893 044 nsw.gov.au/living-in-nsw/companion-card

Physical Disability Council of NSW 1800 688 831 pdcnsw.org.au

Trustee & Guardian NSW 1300 109 290 tag.nsw.gov.au

resources

Queensland

Queensland NDIS partner information

The organisations listed below have been engaged by the NDIS to assist with Early Childhood Early Intervention and Local Area Coordination in Queensland.

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Partners – These early childhood partners in the community provide advice, assistance and support to children up to the age of seven who have a disability or developmental delay.

Local Area Coordinators (LAC) – LACs are local organisations that help you with your NDIS journey. They provide information about the NDIS, hold planning/review meetings and can connect you with local services and activities.

NDIS managed areas – For many people entering the NDIS, the LAC will be their main point of contact for the NDIS. In areas not serviced by a LAC partner, the NDIS will work with you directly to connect you to supports in your area.

Service Area Council

ECEI partner

LAC partner

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 brisbanesouthlac@carersqld.com.au brisbanenorthlac@carersqld.com.au Bundaberg Bundaberg BUSHkids 07 4111 1655 bundabergecei@bushkids.org.au

Brisbane Brisbane benevolent society 1300 003 234 benevolent.ecei@ndis.gov.au

IWC 1300 492 492 info@iwc.org.au

Cassowary Coast Yarrabah

Cairns Cairns Tablelands Mission Australia 1800 860 555 eceicairns@ndis.gov.au

Gold Coast Gold Coast

UnitingCare 1800 864 846 unitingcare.earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Ipswich Ipswich Scenic Rim each 1300 003 224 info@each.com.au

Lockyer Valley Somerset

Mission Australia 1800 860 555 lac.cairns@ndis.gov.au

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 goldcoastlac@carersqld.com.au

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 ipswichlac@carersqld.com.au

Logan Logan benevolent society 1300 003 234 benevolent.ecei@ndis.gov.au

Redland

Mackay Issac

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 beenleighlac@carersqld.com.au capalabalac@caresqld.com.au

feros care 1300 986 970 feroslac@ndis.gov.auMackay

UnitingCare 1800 543 354 unitingcare.earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Maryborough Cherbourg BUSHkids 07 4183 8920 kingaroyecei@bushkids.org.au herveybayecei@bushkids.org.au

Fraser Coast North Burnett South Burnett

APM 1300 276 522 lac@apm.net.au

Queensland regions

To help you find providers that offer services near you, we have sorted the directory tables on the following pages into a number of regions. You can use the map below to work out which region covers the area you live in.

Providers that have indicated they look after all of Queensland or those that did not specify a region with DPS are listed under ‘Providers servicing all of QLD’. If a provider services one or multiple regions but not all, they will be listed in each of the applicable regions.

Council

Moreton Bay Caboolture

Moreton Bay Strathpine

ECEI partner

benevolent society 1300 003 234 benevolent.ecei@ndis.gov.au

Rockhampton Banana BUSHkids 07 4913 1090 emeraldecei@bushkids.org.au 07 4904 5335 gladstoneecei@bushkids.org.au 07 4994 2120 rockhamptonecei@bushkids.org.au

Central Highlands Gladstone Livingstone Rockhampton

Sunshine Coast Gympie

Noosa Maroochydore Sunshine Coast

Toowoomba Southern Downs

Toowoomba

Townsville

Multiple Sclerosis

LAC partner

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 moretonbaylac@carersqld.com.au

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 gladstonelac@carersqld.com.au rockhamptonlac@carersqld.com.au

1800 413 717 msqld.org.au

BUSHkids 07 5406 0708 caloundraecei@bushkids.org.au gympieecei@bushkids.org.au maroochydoreecei@bushkids.org.au

UnitingCare 1800 543 354 unitingcare.earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

543

unitingcare.earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 gympielac@carersqld.com.au sunshinecoastlac@carersqld.com.au

Carers QLD Australia 1300 999 636 toowoombaLAC@carersqld.com.au

feros care

986 970 feroslac@ndis.gov.au

Multiple Sclerosis QLD Neuro Assist Line 1800 177 591 msqld.org.au

Muscular Dystrophy QLD 1800 676 364 mdqld.org.au

National Disability Services QLD 07 3828 9400 nds.org.au

Office of the Public Advocate QLD 07 3738 9513 justice.qld.gov.au/public-advocate

Office of the Public Guardian 1300 653 187 publicguardian.qld.gov.au

Public Trustee of Queensland 1300 360 044 pt.qld.gov.au

QLD Companion Card 13 74 68 qld.gov.au/disability/out-and-about/subsidiesconcessions-passes/companion-card

Queensland Advocacy Incorporated

07 3844 4200 qai.org.au

Queenslanders with Disability Network 1300 363 783 qdn.org.au

Queensland Women’s Health Network 07 4789 0665 qwhn.asn.au

Synapse (Brain Injury Association of Queensland) 1800 673 074 synapse.org.au

Tasmania NDIS partner information

The organisations listed below have been engaged by the NDIS to assist with Early Childhood

Early Intervention and Local Area Coordination in Tasmania.

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Partners – These early childhood partners in the community provide advice, assistance and support to children up to the age of seven who have a disability or developmental delay.

Local Area Coordinators (LAC) – LACs are local organisations that help you with your NDIS journey. They provide information about the NDIS, hold planning/review meetings and can connect you with local services and activities.

NDIS managed areas – For many people entering the NDIS, the LAC will be their main point of contact for the NDIS. In areas not serviced by a LAC partner, the NDIS will work with you directly to connect you to supports in your area.

Service Area Council ECEI partner LAC partner

North Break O’Day George Town Northern Midlands Baptcare 1800 572 152 eceitasmania@ndis.gov.au

Dorset Launceston West Tamar Flinders Meander Valley

Baptcare 1800 290 555 baptcare.tas@ndis.gov.au

North West Burnie Devonport Latrobe Mission Australia 1800 290 555 eceitasmania@ndis.gov.au

Central Coast Kentish Waratah-Wynyard

Circular Head King Island West Coast

Mission Australia 03 6420 6850 ndislacnorthwest@missionaustralia.com.au

South East Brighton Derwent Valley Southern Midlands Mission Australia 1800 290 555 eceitasmania@ndis.gov.au

Clarence Glamorgan-Spring Bay Tasman

Central Highlands Sorell

South West Glenorchy Huon Valley Baptcare 1800 572 152 eceitasmania@ndis.gov.au

Mission Australia 03 6212 6850 ndislacsoutheast@missionaustralia.com.au

Baptcare 1800 290 555 baptcare.tas@ndis.gov.auHobart Kingsborough

All other areas not supported by a NDIS partner NDIS 1800 800 110 NDIS 1800 800 110

Tasmanian

phone numbers and

Advocacy Tasmania 1800 005 131 advocacytasmania.org.au

Association for Children with Disability (Tas) 1800 244 742 acdtas.com.au

Autism Tasmania 03 6722 5000 autismtas.org.au

Brain Injury Association of Tasmania

03 6230 9800 biat.org.au

Carers TAS 03 6144 3700 carerstas.org

Companion Card (TAS 1800 009 501 companioncard.communities.tas.gov.au

Department of Health, Tasmania 1300 135 513 health.tas.gov.au

Disability and Community Services 1300 135 513 communities.tas.gov.au/disability

Down Syndrome Tasmania 1300 592 050 downsyndrome.org.au/tas

Expression Australia (formerly Tasmanian Deaf Society).03 6228 1955 tasdeaf.org.au

Guide Dogs Tasmania 03 6232 1222 guidedogstas.com.au

Finding Your Way

1800 244 742 findingyourway.com.au

Multiple Sclerosis Ltd 1800 042 138 ms.org.au

Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania 0400 877 137 musculardystrophytasmania.com.au

National Disability Services TAS 03 6212 7300 nds.org.au

Office of the Public Guardian 1800 955 772 publicguardian.tas.gov.au

Riding for the Disabled Association of Tasmania 0429 943 247 rdatas.org.au

Speakout Advocacy

03 6231 2344 speakoutadvocacy.org

Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service (TADS 03 6166 1100 communities.tas.gov.au/disability/ tasmanian-autism-diagnostic-service-tads Service Tasmania 1300 135 513 service.tas.gov.au

Tasmania region map

This map provides you with a geographical reference to the service regions in Tasmania

To help you find providers that offer services near you, we have sorted the directory tables into a number of regions. You can use the map below to work out which region covers the area you live in.

Providers that have indicated they look after all of Tasmania or those that did not specify a region with DPS are listed under ‘Providers servicing all of TAS’. If a provider services one or multiple regions but not all, they will be listed in each of the applicable regions.

resources Victoria

Victoria NDIS partner information

The organisations listed below have been engaged by the NDIS to assist with Early Childhood

in Victoria.

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Partners – These early childhood partners in the community provide advice, assistance and support to children up to the age of seven who have a disability or developmental delay.

Local Area Coordinators (LAC) – LACs are local organisations that help you with your NDIS journey. They provide information about the NDIS, hold planning/review meetings and can connect you with local services and activities.

NDIS managed areas – For many people entering the NDIS, the LAC will be their main point of contact for the NDIS. In areas not serviced by a LAC partner, the NDIS will work with you directly to connect you to supports in your area.

Service Area Council

ECEI partner

LAC partner

Greater Geelong Queenscliffe

Barwon Colac-Otway Surf Coast BCYF 1300 012 293 bcyf-earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Bayside Peninsula Bayside Kingston Stonnington

Frankstone Mornington Peninsula Glen Eira Port Phillip

Brimbank Melton Brimbank

Melton

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 323 ecei.access@bsl.org.au

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 323 ecei.access@bsl.org.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 barwonlac@ndis.gov.au

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 634 ndis.info@bsl.org..au

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 634 ndis.info@bsl.org..au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696

Ballarat Hepburn Pyrenees

Central Highlands Ararat Golden Plains Moorabool Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

Goulburn Greater Shepparton Moira Strathbogie intereach 1300 488 226 ecei.loddon@intereach.com.au intereach-earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

central.highlandslac@ndis.gov.au

intereach 1300 488 226 intereach.goulburn@ndis.gov.auMitchell Murrindindi

Hume Moreland Hume Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 323 ecei.access@bsl.org.au

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 634 ndis.info@bsl.org..auMoreland

Inner Eastern Melbourne Boroondara Monash

Manningham Whitehorse

Inner Gippsland Bass Coast Latrobe

Baw

Loddon

Central Goldfields

Mallee Buloke

Gannawarra

Link Health & Community 1800 546 532 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

Link Health & Community 1800 546 532 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

intereach 1300 488 226 intereach-earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

intereach 1300 488 226 intereach-earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696

inner.east.melblac@ndis.gov.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 inner.gippslandlac@ndis.gov.au

intereach 1300 488 226 intereach.loddon@ndis.gov.au

intereach 1300 488 226 intereach.mallee@ndis.gov.au

Victoria area map

This map provides you with a geographical reference to the service regions in Victoria To help you find providers that offer services near you, we have sorted the directory tables into a number of regions. You can use the map below to work out which region covers the area you live in.

Providers that have indicated they look after all of Victoria or those that did not specify a region with DPS are listed under ‘Providers servicing all of VIC’. If a provider services one or multiple regions but not all, they will be listed in each of the applicable regions.

North Eastern Melbourne

Outer Eastern Melbourne Knox Yarra Ranges

Maroondah

Outer Gippsland East Gippsland

Wellington

ECEI partner LAC partner

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 323 ecei.access@bsl.org.au

Link Health & Community 1800 546 532 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

Link Health & Community 1800 546 532 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

Ovens Murray Alpine Mansfield Wodonga Merri Health 1300 665 437 merrihealth-earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Benalla Towong Indigo Wangaratta

Southern Melbourne Cardinia Casey Greater Dandenong Link Health & Community 1800 546 532 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 634 ndis.info@bsl.org..au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 outer.east.melblac@ndis.gov.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 outer.gippslandlac@ndis.gov.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 ovens.murraylac@ndis.gov.au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 southernmelbournelac@ndis.gov.au

Maribyrnong Moonee Valley

Western Melbourne Hobsons Bay Melbourne Wyndham Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 323 ecei.access@bsl.org.au

Wimmera South West Corangamite Moyne West Wimmera

Glenelg Northern Grampians Yarriambiack Hindmarsh Southern Grampians Horsham Warrnambool

All other areas not supported by a NDIS partner

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 ecei.link.lchs@ndis.gov.au

Brotherhood of St Laurence 1300 275 634 ndis.info@bsl.org..au

Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696 wimmera.south.westlac@ndis.gov.au

NDIS 1800 800 110 NDIS 1800 800 110

Victoria useful phone numbers and websites

Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities 03 9480 7000 adec.org.au

Arbias (aquired brain injury) .03 8388 1222 arbias.org.au

Association for Children with Disability 03 9880 7000 acd.org.au

Belonging Matters .03 9739 8333 belongingmatters.org

Brain Injury Matters . 03 9639 7222 braininjurymatters.org

BrainLink 03 8761 9232 or 1800 677 579 brainlink.org.au

Cerebral Palsy Support

03 9478 1001 cpsn.org.au

Companion Card (VIC) 1800 650 611 companioncard.vic.gov.au

Department of Health and Human Services 1300 650 172 dhhs.vic.gov.au

Disability Advocacy Resource Unit . 03 9639 5807 daru.org.au

Disability Connect Victoria 03 9052 4470 dcvic.com.au

Disability Resource Centre

03 9671 3000 drc.org.au

Disability Services Commissioner 1800 677 342 odsc.vic.gov.au

Disability Sport and Recreation .03 9473 0133 www.dsr.org.au

Down Syndrome Victoria .1300 658 873 www.downsyndrome.org.au/vic Expression Australia (formerly Vicdeaf).03 9473 1111 or 1300 780 225 expression.com.au Guide Dogs VIC 1800 804 805 vic.guidedogs.com.au Leadership Plus .03 9489 2999 leadershipplus.com Multiple Sclerosis Ltd 1800 042 138 ms.org.au Muscular Dystrophy Australia 03 9320 9555 mda.org.au

National Disability Services Victoria.......................................... .03 8341 4300 nds.org.au

Office for Disability . 1300 880 043 dhhs.vic.gov.au/office-disability

Office of the Public Advocate .1300 309 337 publicadvocate.vic.gov.au RDA Victoria 03 9258 4730 rdav.asn.au

Rights, Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC) . 03 5222 5499 riac.org.au

VALID

03 9416 4003 valid.org.au Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service 1800 014 111 villamanta.org.au Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) 03 9286 7800 wdv.org.au

Service Area Council

Darebin Whittlesea

In the back half of this guide you’ll find six sections covering In Home & Community Support, Therapists & Specialists, Accommodation, Advisors, Equipment & Technology and Mental Health. These sections provide useful information about some of the most commonly searched support services as well as directory tables of a selection of providers delivering different services.

The tables list a number of ‘verified’ providers. These providers have confirmed with DPS that the information that is displayed is correct.

Providers are listed by service region. They’ll be listed under ‘Providers servicing all of in each State and Territory’ if no region was selected or they service the whole State/Territory. See the maps in the Resources section for the boundaries of each service region.

The lists include both registered and unregistered NDIS providers in alphabetical order, detailing whether they provide Core, Capital or Capacity supports under the NDIS. It also indicates some of the specific services they deliver. The tables show if the provider can come to your house or school to deliver services or works from a set location such as a medical practice. It also indicates what age groups they can deliver services to.

A bold listing, with or without a website, indicates the provider has paid to have their services listed in this guide. If a service provider has an advertisement in this Guide, then the page number of the advert is listed in red under ‘Advertisement Page’.

The ‘DSG Web ID’ number can be used as a unique identifier to find out more information about the provider on DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au. You can enter the ID number into the search toolbar on the home page to view the full profile and range of services of the provider.

For a complete overview of providers and services registered in each State and Territory visit DisabilitySupportGuide.com.au/topics/ndis-providers

Abbreviations 265

Accommodation 143

Emergency 146

Long-term 147

Provider directory 153-176

Respite 48, 54, 147

Shared living 150

Short-term 150 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) 151

Supported independent living 151

Tenancy 151

Advocates 45

Age groups 10

Adults 18-64 years 12

Kids 5-12 years .11

Preschool 0-4 years ..10

Seniors 65+ years 13

Teenagers 13-17 years 12

Advisors ..177

Provider directory 185-231

Apply - NDIS how to 17

Assessments ..180 Provider directory 185-231

Assistive technology 236 Provider directory 242-250

Australia’s Disability Strategy 7

Behavioural support 119

Provider directory 123-142

Capacity building support 31

Capital support 30

Carers 46

Counselling services 46 Financial support 48

Respite care 48, 54, 147

Support groups 48

Support lines .48

Case coordinators 180 Provider directory 185-231

Checklist 26-27

Communication equipment ..237 Provider directory 242-250

Community access & inclusion 50 Provider directory 59-116

Core support 29

Definitions and often used terms 264-265

Dietitians 119 Provider directory 123-142

Domestic assistance 53 Provider directory 59-116

Early Intervention 120

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) ..19

Early childhood partners 18 Provider directory 123-142

Education 42, 180

Schooling options 42

Support 42 Provider directory 185-231

Educational toys 237 Provider directory 242-250

Eligibility ..17

Employment 43 Australian Disability Enterprises 43 Disability Employment Services (DES) 43 Employment options 43

Employment continued Employment support 181 Provider directory 185-231 School Leaver Employment Supports 43 Volunteering ..44 Equipment & Technology 233 Provider directory 242-250 Financial 41 Carer payments 48 Disability Support Pension 41 Jobseeker Payment 41 Provider directory 185-231 Services 181 Support 48 Youth Disability Supplement 41 Flow chart - Start your NDIS journey here ..4 Formal supports 6

Healthcare products 240 Provider directory 242-250 Home maintenance and gardening 53 Provider directory 59-116 Home modifications 240 Provider directory 242-250 Housing ..146 Provider directory 153-176 In Home & Community Support .. 48D Provider directory 59-116 Informal supports 6 Intellectual disabilities 8 Intervention support 182 Provider directory 185-231 Life skills 53 Provider directory 59-116 Local Area Coordinators (LACs) 18 Meals 53 Provider directory 59-116 Mental Health 9, 251 Helplines 253 Mental health nurses 253 Mental health support 253 Provider directory 239-251 Psychologists 253 Psychiatrists 254 Psychosocial support 254 Social workers 254 Mobility equipment 240 Provider directory 242-250 Multicultural support 54

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

Who runs the NDIS ..16 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

the NDIS

Often used terms and definitions 264-265

Paediatricians 120 Provider directory 123-142 Personal care 54 Provider directory 59-116 Physical disabilities 8

Physiotherapists 121 Provider directory 123-142 Plan management 36 Agency managed 36 Combination managed 38 Plan managed 37 Self managed 37 Plan managers .182 Provider directory 185-231 Plan review 24

Planning meeting 21 Checklist 26 -27 During your meeting 23 First plan 24

Preparing for .21 What to bring 22 Pricing 39 Psychologists 121 Provider directory 123-142 Registered providers ..39 Resources 264 Respite 48, 54, 147 Provider directory 59-116 Sensory disabilities 9 Service agreement 40 Shared living .150 Provider directory 153-176 Shopping ..53 Provider directory 59-116 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) 151 Provider directory 153-176

Speech therapists 122 Provider directory 123-142 Sports, social and recreational support 58 Provider directory 59-116 Support coordinators ..183 Provider directory 185-231

packages 28

Supported independent living 151 Provider directory 153-176

..151 Provider directory 153-176

supports ..122

directory 123-142

Therapists & Specialists 117

directory 123-142

directory

directory