Health Professionals Can Make NDIS A Success

[hr]The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of the biggest economic and social reforms this country has seen, says NDIS chairman Bruce Bonyhady. He knows the vital role health professionals play in this landmark reform and believes your help will ensure its success.[hr]

Many people you come in contact with - whether patients, friends or colleagues - will want to understand how it works, if they are eligible and where they can get further information.
 
[title from="Launch"]Launch[/title]
In 2011, the Productivity Commission called for an NDIS after conducting its largest inquiry ever. It compiled a 1400- page report and - in language perhaps unusually colourful for economists - labelled the existing disability support systems unfair, fragmented, underfunded and inefficient.
The case for an NDIS was clear.
The scheme received support from all sides of politics and on 1 July last year the NDIS began at four sites.
It is one of Australia’s most significant social policy changes so it is being trialled in sites around Australia so that we can learn from experience and include the learnings in the full scheme roll out.
The initial sites are Tasmania (for young people aged 15-24), South Australia (for children aged 0-14), and in the Barwon area of Victoria and the Hunter area of NSW for people aged up to 65.
From 1 July this year, the NDIS will commence across the ACT, the Barkly region of Northern Territory and the Perth Hills area of Western Australia. Roll out of the full scheme in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory will commence progressively from July 2016.
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[title from="How It Works"]How It Works[/title]
The scheme works on an insurance principle, the idea being that anybody can be affected by disability. It might be from birth or it might be acquired later in life.
The scheme covers people with a significant and permanent disability that substantially reduces their ability to participate effectively in activities or perform day-to-day tasks or actions.
People aged over 65 will be covered by the existing aged-care system and will not be able to access NDIS support. Those that are under 65 when they make a successful access request will be able to choose whether to stay with the NDIS or transfer to the aged-care system when they turn 65.
The NDIS will enable people with disability and their families, for the first time in the history of disability support in this country, to have choice and control over the implementation of their reasonable and necessary supports.
It will ensure they have a clear and strong voice and are able to pursue a good life.
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[title from="Accessing the NDIS and further information"]Accessing the NDIS and further information[/title]
Our website, www.ndis.gov.au, is the first port of call for information about the NDIS.
It will tell you when the scheme will roll out in your area and the My Access Checker allows prospective participants to check their ability to access the scheme.
Once a person has been determined as able to access the scheme, the NDIA planners will listen to their goals and aspirations, and determine the most appropriate, reasonable and necessary supports that will help them achieve these goals. Our planners and local area coordinators will also help them find and connect to mainstream and local community supports and activities.
[pullQuote]“The NDIS will enable people with disability and their families, for the first time in the history of disability support in this country, to have choice and control over the implementation of their reasonable and necessary supports.”[/pullQuote]
These plans are the key to changing people’s lives.
Depending on their individual goals, aspirations and needs, plans can enable participants and their families to engage in education, employment and their community, become more independent and receive necessary equipment.[top][hr]
[title from="Individual opportunities"]Individual opportunities[/title]
[caption id="attachment_6905" align="aligncenter" width="630"] “We must develop a shared and strong vision about the NDIS and how we can make it work,
hand in hand with all other service systems, so that together we can jointly ensure that we improve opportunities that people with disability have.”[/caption]
There are so many stories coming out about the benefits of the NDIS and the opportunity for an ordinary life for participants and their families.
As previously mentioned, the new scheme focuses on the person’s individual goals and aspirations and how these can be facilitated.
Support might include the funding of equipment, personal support or out of home support for carers.
Mitchell Leedham, a 20-year-old from Ulverstone in Tasmania, is using the NDIS to achieve various important life goals.
Mitchell, who has autism and is one of only three Australians diagnosed with floating-harbour syndrome, wants to get a paid job, travel and live independently.
With the help of a planner from the NDIS, he has mapped out his plan for the next 12 months, including funding for supports and services. He will be supported to live independently by improving his social and life skills. This will be through simple things and small steps like maintaining his house and handling his money.
His mother Lynette will also be supported to sustain her informal care role, which will allow her to balance her caring role with her other commitments and ambitions.
Over time, Mitchell will have access to appropriate services and capacity building supports that will empower him to reach his goals and provide peace of mind for his mother. [top][hr]
[title from="Economic benefits"]Economic benefits[/title]
Before the decision to introduce an NDIS, state and federal governments faced various disability systems in crisis, without the means to manage this effectively.
The Productivity Commission’s 2011 exhaustive analysis - taking into account more than 1,000 submissions - concluded that the proposed NDIS would generate significant economic benefits.
[caption id="attachment_6920" align="alignright" width="300"] Mitchell Leedham, with his mother Lynette, is using
the NDIS to achieve various important life goals.[/caption]
The report stated categorically “the economic benefits of the NDIS far outweigh the costs”.
Furthermore, it was found that NDIS will ultimately add one percentage point to GDP.
The NDIS will build a stronger economy by supporting people to enter or be ready for the workforce.
However, I remind you that while the NDIS is important, it will not change everything that needs to be changed to ensure that people with disability have a good life and are able to participate fully in society.
As Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield said in an October National Press Club speech, this is the responsibility of the National Disability Strategy. This strategy has been signed by all governments and commits all governments to addressing barriers in the community.
This is why the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Disability Reform now has the responsibility to look at all aspects of disability programs and the overall commitment of society to improve the opportunities for people with disability to lead full and productive lives.
In conjunction with the National Disability Strategy we are building a scheme that will not only allocate resources more fairly and give people a greater say, but also will maintain efficiency and rigorously manage costs through an insurance approach.
A huge amount of work and consultation has gone into ensuring there are clear criteria about who can access funded supports and that the scheme remains affordable and viable in the long-term.
There is still a lot more work to do, as we move from the initial sites to 460,000 participants by the sixth year when the full rollout is complete.
The gradual implementation means we are learning valuable lessons as we go, and we are building a rich evidence base of what works for people and what it costs. We will be regularly reviewing and updating procedures, guidelines and the way in which the scheme works to ensure that the Scheme is fair and equitable and is financially sustainable.
Your feedback on these changes is always welcome.
We must develop a shared and strong vision about the NDIS and how we can make it work, hand in hand with all other service systems, so that together we can jointly ensure that we improve opportunities that people with disability have.
The NDIS is an historic economic reform that the country cannot afford to do without. None of us know when we or a family member may need it.
It is a vital cog in Australia’s future in which every Australian counts and benefits, and something we should all be very proud and excited about.
[title from="Bruce Bonyhady"]Bruce Bonyhady[/title]