NDIS | Jotup

Choice and control: people with disability feel safer when they can select their NDIS providers

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Research, Friends, Disability, Attention, Safety, Abuse, Female, NDIS, Care, Housing, Workforce, Evidence-based practice, Family, Government, National Disability Insurance Scheme, Police, Nursing

Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late last year.

Key Points:

Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late last year.
In this series, experts examine what new proposals could mean for people with disability.
Recent media coverage about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) frames the choices of people with disability as threats to their safety or the safety of others.

Choosing services and who provides them

Research indicates people with disability are more likely to be safe and free from abuse when they have choice over what services they receive and who provides them.
Previous research by one of us (Sophie) also found some people feel safe as a result of having more choice.
They may be dependent upon one provider for essential services.
Read more:
Unregistered NDIS providers are in the firing line – but lots of participants have good reasons for using them

There is more than one way to support safety

It did make other quality and safety recommendations that have not received the same degree of attention as the controversial recommendation on mandatory provider registration.
There are also recommendations to help all people with disability to navigate NDIS, foundational and other services and increase decision-making support.
The recommendations to diversify housing and living supports are critical for expanding both choice and safety.

What about worker safety?

These workers experience different pay and working conditions depending on the provider they work for and industrial award they are employed under.
NDIS participants can use online platforms to employ sole-trader support workers rather than going through agencies.
That said, workers employed by disability service organisations also report low levels of confidence in organisational safety and reporting systems.

What could support safety for everyone?

Rather than assuming choice and safety are in opposition to each other and further restricting choice, our research suggests the following priorities:

Safety is about being connected and embedded within the community, where many people are looking out for you, checking in on you and noticing if you don’t show up to your usual activities.
Ultimately, a scheme where people with disability are empowered to make meaningful decisions between quality services, and workers are valued and supported in their roles, will promote safety for everyone.
Read more:
States agreed to share foundational support costs.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

The National Autism Strategy is urgently needed. Does the government’s new draft do enough to help those in crisis?

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The Australian government released its draft National Autism Strategy yesterday.

Key Points:

The Australian government released its draft National Autism Strategy yesterday.
Now focus shifts to whether the draft strategy – open for public feedback until the end of May – fulfils the hopes of the community.

Why a national autism strategy?

Increased awareness has been a key factor behind the surge in the prevalence of autism diagnosis in Australia, estimated to be at least 3.2% of school-aged children.
As reported in the draft strategy, the life expectancy of autistic Australians is on average more than 20 years shorter than non-autistic Australians.
They are nine times more likely to die of suicide and they experience higher rates of physical and sexual abuse.

Read more:
New national autism guideline will finally give families a roadmap for therapy decisions

Who is involved?

This is a great strength of the development process, which also involves working groups in key topic areas.
But the fact the National Autism Strategy is being developed independent of state and territory governments constrains it.
Read more:
We don't need a hydrotherapy pool in every school, but we do need quality public education for all kids

What does the strategy include?

The draft strategy proposes 24 commitments across key areas such as:

The draft strategy calls for public education campaigns about autistic Australians in the workplace, facilitating meaningful employment opportunities, and improving access to quality and timely supports that nurture autistic identity.
It also calls for greater leadership and active involvement of autistic Australians in related policy and accountability mechanisms.

But there is room for improvement

Improving this evidence base is a key priority to ensure the safety and effectiveness of supports for autistic individuals, but currently the strategy remains silent on this.
Even where states and territories have primary jurisdiction, the federal government can still play a major role in leading change.
Similarly, while education policy is set at the state and territory level, the federal government is a significant contributor to school funding.

Is the draft National Autism Strategy a game-changer?

The draft National Autism Strategy includes an array of commitments that represent a critical step forward for the understanding, inclusion and empowerment of autistic Australians.
However, its title of “National Autism Strategy” implies an ambition the terms of reference mean it could never meet.
Alongside a top-down strategy, the goal of a coordinated approach could be better met by National Cabinet, which brings together the prime minister and the state premiers and territory chief ministers.

Andrew Whitehouse receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Autism CRC, and the Angela Wright Bennett Foundation. Andrew was a member of the Social Inclusion Working Group that contributed to the National Autism Strategy.

There is overwhelming gender bias in the NDIS – and the review doesn’t address it

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The review acknowledges women with disability face barriers to access support and efforts to understand their experiences need to be accelerated.

Key Points:

The review acknowledges women with disability face barriers to access support and efforts to understand their experiences need to be accelerated.
As part of review feedback, key disability organisations said a gender strategy was needed.
Yet the final recommendations remain largely silent on gender, despite overwhelming gender inequality in the NDIS.

To uphold women’s right to safety

Only three out of the 222 disability royal commission recommendations explicitly focus on women.
Read more:
Unregistered NDIS providers are in the firing line – but lots of participants have good reasons for using them

To support women as participants, as well as carers

Women are also over-represented as carers for people with disability.
Half of all NDIS participants are children and nearly 90% of primary carers for children are women.
Women are highly successful advocates for their children.

To stop reproducing medical bias

NDIS assessments rely on evidence from health-care professionals, which means the NDIS likely reproduces the gender biases of the medical system.
How the NDIS review could help people with psychosocial disability
Many chronic conditions experienced predominantly by women can have fluctuating symptoms.
These conditions – and others that get worse over time – can significantly escalate without appropriate daily living supports.

To close access gaps

The fresh NDIS review echoes previous reviews that found gaps and ambiguity between the NDIS and health systems.
New agreements with states announced prior to the review similarly lack attention to gender, so there is no assurance women trying to access support outside the NDIS won’t continue to face the same barriers.

More detailed data would be a good start

The cycle of applying and re-applying is a heavy administrative and emotional burden, disproportionately shouldered by women.
Collecting more detailed data about participants “disaggregated by gender and sexuality” is listed in the review’s recommendations.

Diana Piantedosi works for Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) and is also a member of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC), Victorian NDIS Community Advisory Council (VCAC) and DFFH's LGBTIQA+ Disability Inclusion Expert Advisory Group.
Lena Molnar works for Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV).

Toray Celebrates the Commissioning of Expanded TORAYCA™ T1100 Production Capacity at its Decatur, Alabama Carbon Fiber Plant

Retrieved on:

Monday, January 29, 2024

Policy, Future Vertical Lift, Federation, Inorganic polymer, Carbon, Investment, NDIS, FVL, Commander, Army aviation, Army, Carbon fibers

The $15 million upgrade doubles the production capacity of the TORAYCA™ T1100 carbon fiber and adds critical redundancy to support the rising demand for defense applications.

Key Points:

The $15 million upgrade doubles the production capacity of the TORAYCA™ T1100 carbon fiber and adds critical redundancy to support the rising demand for defense applications.
Toray's T1100 carbon fiber is vital to several United States Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems and the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.
Toray Composite Materials America expands TORAYCA™ T1100 carbon fiber production, boosting defense market support.
The Decatur Plant has operation lines from precursor to carbon fiber and is one of three Toray manufacturing facilities.

A Senate inquiry says Australia needs a national ADHD framework to improve diagnosis and reduce costs

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Without appropriate support, ADHD often has lifelong negative impacts on education and employment.

Key Points:

Without appropriate support, ADHD often has lifelong negative impacts on education and employment.
The current cost of ADHD to Australia is estimated at more than A$20 billion every year.
In response to these concerns, a Greens-chaired Senate inquiry looked at how people access ADHD diagnosis and get support afterwards, the international evidence base, as well as practitioner training and cost.

Not just a mental health issue

The committee emphasises that ADHD is not just a mental health issue but a public health concern.
The committee members agreed there is a need for a government-funded national framework for ADHD, developed in consultation with people with lived experience.
They recommended the NDIS improve the accessibility and quality of information around the eligibility of ADHD as a condition under NDIS.

Read more:
GPs could improve access to ADHD treatment. But we still need specialists to diagnose and start medication

Learning from people with ADHD

Trying to navigate pathways to care, even as an expert in ADHD, can be challenging and at times painful in my experience.
While public awareness of ADHD has improved greatly in recent years there are still those spreading misinformation and increasing the stigma of people living with ADHD.
Read more:
ADHD medications have doubled in the last decade – but other treatments can help too

A first step

The committee recommends
all levels of government consider investing in the implementation of the Australian ADHD Professionals Association’s Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for ADHD.
all levels of government consider investing in the implementation of the Australian ADHD Professionals Association’s Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for ADHD.
Further investment will be needed to ensure the guideline is used properly to promote more holistic care with broader access to key supports.

David Coghill receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Futures Fund. He is the President of the Australian ADHD Professionals Association and a director of the European ADHD Guidelines Network both not for profit organizations working in the field of ADHD. He has received research funding and/or honoraria from Takeda, Medice, Novartis and Servier.

The disability royal commission recommendations could fix some of the worst living conditions – but that's just the start

Retrieved on:

Friday, September 29, 2023

After more than four years and many traumatic stories, the disability royal commission’s final report was released this morning.

Key Points:

After more than four years and many traumatic stories, the disability royal commission’s final report was released this morning.
The scope of the A$600 million disability royal commission included school, work, housing, hospitals and the criminal justice system.
The recommendations include the introduction of an Australian disability rights act, a new disability government portfolio, a minister for disability inclusion, and a department of disability equality and inclusion.

A long time coming

People with disability have long experienced violence, abuse and neglect at much higher rates than the rest of the community.
The commission heard that some 17,000 people with disability living in group homes are at significant risk.

The problem with group homes

All the commissioners agreed major improvements are needed when it comes to group homes.
There is little evidence to indicate group home are cost effective, provide quality support or deliver good outcomes for people living there.
Many group homes in Australia fail to keep people safe and deny their basic rights.

Inclusive housing recommendations

The commission began its housing recommendations by acknowledging people with disability are “conspicuously absent” from national housing and homelessness policy frameworks.
The commission listed 11 recommendations for more inclusive housing.
Implementing the recommendations to make mainstream services more inclusive will help keep people living in disability housing safe.

Minimum standards

The commission also recommended the introduction of minimum service standards, monitoring and oversight for boarding houses around Australia.
Given the evidence about the impact of unsuitable housing on the lives of people with disability, the commission’s recommendation for national minimum accessibility standards in all new housing as soon as possible is critical too.
The New South Wales and Western Australia governments have not yet committed to implement mandatory accessible design standards.

What’s next?

Some of the most marginalised people in Australia were heard for the first time during the disability royal commission.
This needs to be balanced with adding layers of regulation that will do little to improve the lives of people with disability.
But the final report is momentous and the current NDIS review (due to report in October) will add to this momentum.

AnglicareSA Creates Foundation for Personalised Services With Boomi

Retrieved on:

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Boomi™ , the intelligent connectivity and automation leader, today announced not-for-profit (NFP) AnglicareSA has chosen the Boomi Platform to pave the way to improve personalised services by centralising its data to better understand the needs of the 62,500 constituents it supports.

Key Points:

Boomi™ , the intelligent connectivity and automation leader, today announced not-for-profit (NFP) AnglicareSA has chosen the Boomi Platform to pave the way to improve personalised services by centralising its data to better understand the needs of the 62,500 constituents it supports.
View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230918877272/en/
AnglicareSA Creates Foundation for Personalised Services With Boomi (Graphic: Business Wire)
AnglicareSA has provided a diverse range of programs – including housing, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services, Aboriginal services, aged care, foster care, emergency assistance, and financial counselling – to South Australians for more than 150 years.
AnglicareSA selected Boomi to replace Microsoft Azure integration services, and in the process eliminated complex point-to-point integrations, which were proving difficult to maintain and support.
“Switching to Boomi has helped AnglicareSA better understand the needs of its constituents and afforded its IT team the ability to move fast and leave complex integration behind.”

The disability royal commission delivers its findings today. We must all listen to end violence, abuse and neglect

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Many people are waiting keenly to hear how the recommendations can make a difference to the lives of people with disability.

Key Points:

Many people are waiting keenly to hear how the recommendations can make a difference to the lives of people with disability.
While we wait for the report to be made public, we can learn from how government action from the previous child abuse royal commission helped improve people’s lives.

What was involved

Over four and half years, it held hearings, heard stories from witnesses, received submissions and conducted research.
High rates of violence and harm against people with disability have not improved very much over many decades.
Making changes to specialist systems such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – currently under review – will help those involved.

Ableism and ‘othering’

People with disability are often treated in ways that are not acceptable for any member of society.
An example of these types of discrimination is when a waiter asks a carer what a person with disability wants, instead of asking the person themselves.
Or when a person with disability is expected to live with strangers who hit them, because that is the only housing available.
Read more:
Ableism and disablism – how to spot them and how we can all do better
You might think excluding people in these ways does not happen anymore or does not matter.

What we hope the commission will recommend

The disability royal commission listened to people with disability, family members and organisations about what they want to happen.
A consistent view is that it is not enough to focus on stopping violent acts where they are happening now.

The disability royal commission recommendations and government responses should follow the example set by the child abuse commission. The need for a voice, compliance and quality standards remains relevant to people affected by disability policy. And the responsibility for real change stretches beyond government. Change happens when the responsibility to listen and act is taken up by all organisations, communities and members of the public.

What happens next

Immediate action, as we saw in the child abuse commission, will demonstrate priority for the rights of people with disability.
Everyone’s contribution to changing attitudes, building belonging and recognising people’s shared humanity is needed to defeat exclusion and prevent violence.
Poet Andy Jackson recited his work Listen at the disability royal commission’s ceremonial closing sitting two weeks ago.

'I want to get bogged at a beach in my wheelchair and know people will help'. Micheline Lee on the way forward for the NDIS

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

The NDIS is the “lifeboat in the ocean”, “an oasis in the desert”, “a plane being built mid-flight” or a “limitless magic pudding”.

Key Points:

The NDIS is the “lifeboat in the ocean”, “an oasis in the desert”, “a plane being built mid-flight” or a “limitless magic pudding”.
I research disability policies and services and confess I’ve used more than a few of these in my work.
They are a way of explaining complex concepts we might not be familiar with and helping others to make sense of the world.
The latest Quarterly Essay Lifeboat: Disability, Humanity and the NDIS written by author Micheline Lee weaves together personal testimony and detailed analysis of history and policy.

The deficit model of disability

Disability was firmly seen as being a problem or deficit within the body of an individual who needed to be cured.
Lee’s discovery of the social model of disability challenged how she had been raised to understand it.
The social model sees disability as produced by
social and environmental barriers such as discriminatory attitudes and policies, inaccessible buildings and transport, and inflexible work arrangements.
Disability activists, such as Rhonda Galbally, have documented the rise of the disability rights movement in Australia, which fought for the establishment of the NDIS.

Citizens or consumers?

As Lee describes,
Disabled people wanted more than just survival, getting out of bed, showering and eating, and maintaining basic health.
Disabled people wanted more than just survival, getting out of bed, showering and eating, and maintaining basic health.
Yet, inherent within the design of the NDIS are two competing logics: citizenship and consumer rights.
The former sees the role of the scheme, in collaboration with others, as enabling and empowering people with disability to engage with the community and broader society.
Disability is seen by many as something specialist professionals and services should handle, not a facet of the human condition.
I want to get bogged at a beach in my wheelchair and know people will help.

Draining the ocean

The market-based system is not operating as intended and changing attitudes outside the scheme have been neglected.
The current NDIS Review is hearing about all these issues, but none are surprising to disabled people.
It is incumbent upon those of us within the non-disabled community to listen and act to create a more inclusive society.
Making the NDIS work as intended, is a job for all of Australian society and not just disabled people.

70% of Australian students with a disability are excluded at school – the next round of education reforms can fix this

Retrieved on:

Monday, September 18, 2023

This follows our recent research that showed huge issues with the way students with disability are included in school life.

Key Points:

This follows our recent research that showed huge issues with the way students with disability are included in school life.
For example, 70% of surveyed students with a disability report being excluded from events or activities at school.
Negotiations around the next school reform agreement alongside the NDIS Review provide a real opportunity to better educate and support students with disability.

What is the National School Reform Agreement?

The National School Reform Agreement is a joint agreement between the federal and state governments that aims to improve student outcomes across schools.
The Albanese government extended the current agreement by a year, with the new one due to begin in January 2025.
Read more:
What is the National School Reform Agreement and what does it have to do with school funding?

Unprecedented demand on the NDIS

The NDIS was originally designed to provide funding to individuals with significant and permanent disabilities, estimated to be 10% of the 4.4 million disabled Australians.
More than half of those in the NDIS are under 18 and 11% of five- to seven-year-old boys are participants.
Some commentators have argued this is not sustainable, with the NDIS budget estimated to reach A$35 billion this year.
With limited supports outside the NDIS, parents are left with little choice but to try and secure a place on the scheme.

The importance of inclusive education

On the other hand, if mainstream schools are inclusive, this can give students with disabilities friendships, higher aspirations and a richer learning experience.
Inclusive education also benefits those without disability.
Academically, results for all students in inclusive primary settings are better than, or equivalent to, non-inclusive settings.

What needs to happen now?

The next reform agreement needs to commit specific funding for the support of students with disability in their school, and the development and training of their educators.
This means progress is measured also at the individual level (involving individual learning plans), rather than simply against a developmental continuum.