Proposed changes to the NDIS

Diana
Diana on Friday, March 12 2021
2 Comments
Disability organisations have called on the federal government to abandon a plan which they say will force people to explain their support needs to a stranger in less than three hours, or risk losing their NDIS funding.
 

Currently, despite stroke being one of the largest causes of disability in Australia, only 1.4 percent (5,935) of active NDIS participants with an approved plan have stroke as their primary disability.

Many survivors of stroke have significant disability and complex needs. Currently, there is a belief among the survivor community that NDIA assessors do not have an adequate understanding of stroke, stroke-related disability, and the impact this disability has on survivors, their carers and family members.

Survivors of stroke have indicated that one of the biggest challenges they face is getting NDIA staff to understand need. Stroke Foundation understands that as part of the new NDIS Access and Eligibility Policy, independent assessments will be conducted by trained experts, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other health and allied health professionals. However, we are concerned that even trained experts may not fully appreciate the impact stroke-related disability can have on an applicant’s functional capacity, if they do not have sufficient background knowledge of, and experience with, stroke.

While Stroke Foundation strongly supports the NDIA’s efforts to reduce inequality and inconsistency in the current access process, we do have concerns about the ability of independent assessments to accurately evaluate the functional capacity of all survivors of stroke who apply for access to the NDIS.

There is a need for appropriately trained independent assessors who understand the multiplicity of challenges that an individual who has had a stroke may have to address in order to function well. #fightstroke
2 Responses
Luke D avatar
Luke D

Yes, we really can't trust what the minister responsible for the NDIS has to say, his form is terrible. Looks like the government is trying hard to stuff the NDIS. Contracted doctors are used for the DSP and that has worked well if your about forcing folks into more hardship. My experience with getting on the NDIS and a good plan has been positive apart it very slow to happen. But getting the DSP was a full on fight that I finally won at AAP, the contract doctors basically said no and the process of appeal took 18 months. Can't see private contactors working to access NDIS for many.

garryjr avatar
garryjr

some suggestions for new applicants (particularly if like me your stroke happened long ago)

1/ there is an alternate application form which has questions that will make more sense to Drs and other treating professionals (to the one the NDIS distributes as at March 2021)

2/ seek an NDIS advocate. mine has given frank and fearless advice

3/ pesist. by accident or design the NDIA seems designed to discourage applications. Assessors at the NDIA may have little medical qualifications. There is a high staff turnover.  A medically experienced review can only be guaranteed when an application is subject to external review i.e. after you have challenged the decision more than once or twice.

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