Reforming the NDIS and NDIA

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine, David, about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and their Agency (NDIA). David has cerebral palsy with associated dystonia and partial blindness. The conversation was recorded, but unfortunately whilst transcribing, the recording corrupted. The following was what I was able to salvage:

Dana: The NDIS was formally introduced in 2013, what was the rationale? What arrangement did the NDIS replace, and what was your experience pre-2013?

David: The NDIS was created to wholly replace disability services that were provided by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments combined. My Mum reckons that the previous system was better, but I don’t. Under my previous NSW care package, which was administered through the Attendant Care Program, and, later on, the Community Support Program, I was able to get a few more things than allowed under the NDIS.

Under both systems, I was subjected to, and still am subjected to, discussions over the guidelines of the programs as to what was/is acceptable or not acceptable for me to purchase under my care package. For example, because it’s all taxpayer-funded, is attendance at a brothel, appropriate for funding consideration? Of course, people are going to have different views on that, but it remains that people with disabilities have sexuality needs that need to be met, like everybody else. It’s obvious that the Federal Government does not want to have that kind of conversation.

“The NDIS replaces the current disability support system. Instead of recipients only having access to ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions, the NDIS is tailored to each individual. The NDIS recognises that everyone’s needs and goals are different and provides people with individualised support and the flexibility to manage their supports to help them achieve their goals and enjoy an ordinary life. It’s called an insurance scheme because it is social insurance, not welfare. As an insurance scheme, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach to support, not just the needs of that person right now.

The NDIA is the independent Commonwealth Government agency responsible for implementing the NDIS. Those who work for the NDIA, work with those seeking disability support. They provide information, referrals, links to services and activities, individualised plans and funded supports to people over their lifetime. They help link the dots between service providers and those seeking assistance. NDIA staff are based across Australia.” — Source: https://www.qt.com.au/news/what-difference-between-ndia-and-ndis/3156886/

In lieu of redoing the recorded interview, I messaged David with the following three questions:

1. How can the NDIS and NDIA be improved?
2. Why should the ‘I’ in NDIS/NDIA stand for Investment, not Insurance?
3. As Australians go to the poll to vote in the upcoming Federal election, why is the NDIS/NDIA issue important to them?

Here are his answers:

1. The NDIS can be improved through a concerted effort by the next Government to comprehensively overhaul the NDIS Act of 2013 by amending various sections related to choice and control, autonomy and financial decision making, self-actualisation, package governance, participant empowerment, anti-fraud and allowable products and services. Then the NDIA itself needs improving through reform measures to remove State and Territory Governments involvement, Agency restructure, knowledge acquisition and retention, staff numbers development and training, information technology enhancement and stronger strategic governance and management.

2. Essentially, the NDIS name, culture and strategic direction and operational functioning fundamentally matters to both participants, service providers and every taxpayer in the country. Therefore the legislative model and framework is integral which is precisely why the ‘I’ letter in the NDIS is so critical to the sustainable success of the Scheme moving forward. To this end, amending ‘I’ from “Insurance” to “Investment” would dramatically alter the strategic model from a negative outlook to that of a hugely positive outlook into the future.

3. The viability of the NDIS is central to every taxpaying voter as any one of us at any point in our lives could have the misfortune to either be born with or acquire a disability. It’s important that we consider the kind of support system we’d like to have in place to assist us with our new circumstances in life.