Exclusive Interview with NDIA CEO: Explaining the Changes to the NDIS - Reasonable & Necessary

[@GuardianOz]

There's a big difference to anxiety levels between being able hear the intention behind the NDIS changes Vrs lists on a web page where some might apply and most doesn't. Specifically the comments about substitution supports. I did not know how that area worked when I tried reading it vrs Rebecca's passionate and sincere response. DR George and Rebecca Thanks for this great interview its helped me a lot.

[@SamiGale]

This! Completely agree

[@miriamadler1710]

Please add subtitles to your videos for those of us who need them.

[@SummerFoundationLtd]

All our podcasts are fully captioned always. Please select the CC option on your screen to turn on the captions

[@arferret]

Hi George, I was wondering in the context of Rebecca suggesting to get in touch with her if we want to provide feedback etc how we can get in contact with Rebecca?

[@topazzz79]

My doctor told me I should quit my job and apply for DSP instead of trying to apply for NDIS. I just need support to be able to keep working 😕. I anticipate a long fight based on what I’ve seen in ndis support groups 😢

[@janelleblight68]

I think a lot of these changes were needed. But some wernt. Not sure what they mean buy tellingbus how long our funds last that's always been the case.

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

I do hope that general handyman type services for odd jobs and gardening are still covered. I have a guy doing this stuff but he doesn’t do big repairs, plumbing or electrical work as these are not covered. I also hope that the support needs assessment won’t focus on functioning capacity from an occupational therapist view as this seems to be about justifying the type of support needed. Finally, I hope existing participants don’t have to go through the same justifications and access requirements as people who are entering the scheme. It’s insulting to have to answer the same questions as a new participant every time a plan is up for review and explain what you can and cannot do, along with your disability. All we should have to do is state whether or not our disability has changed, and if any other relevant circumstances have changed. All other information should be on the system and can be looked up. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that awful use it or your budget will be reduced next time policy that nobody talks about.

[@eforecho]

Pretty much every participant is being reassessed as needing zero core supports. Have already.found out half a dozen plans made zero in a spur of a moment within close circle 😢

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

@@eforecho Sorry I’m not sure what you mean here. Do you mean that participants won’t get assistance with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and odd jobs or gardening? Or are you saying that new plans will only have Stated Supports and won’t be able to use funds for anything else even if it’s covered by the scheme and helps with their disability. Also, do you know exactly what the needs assessments will involve? Finally, do you know which disabilities they are most likely to be generous with? I’m legally blind and I’m on the DSP Blind. Thanks.

[@eforecho]

I'm so sorry but I literally mean zero core supports no cleaning cooking AT continence nothing. All zero.

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

@@eforecho So everyone will be taken off the scheme then since they’ll have no supports?

[@eforecho]

Why would a capitalist nation let that happen? 1 in 5 jobs are created from NDIS appears more like a political performance at the moment only time will tell what exactly the 'changes' are in practice

[@eforecho]

I hope you've read your emails Rebecca since this whole thing began and you decide to turn up on screen now? 😢 where have you been when transitional rules were written maybe you would have given this speech to the lawyers youre funding with public money?

[@rubyvictoria7055]

The NDIS is becoming very clear they are funding ONLY imparements that one is LISTED on the scheme for. Why is the NDIS making it soooo difficult to find out what one is on the scheme for? With mental health challenges, I had very little to do with the initial application, it all being done by supports around me at the time. I have no documentation. I fear whats coming because I dont know what I'm funded for. My disability is integrated with my mental health diagnosis. How do I apply a list? Why are the NDIS waiting to tell participants their impairment notice ? I fear that many are going to come to the functional assessment period and find out they've been funded for one impairment, and not others. Why not tell us as soon as possible ? Its hard enough to get an OT now. Imagine what its going to be like once these imparement notices come out and MUST be challenged because they're wrong. The way I understand it, things will be removed as supports until they can be "added imparements". Thats going to mean loss of support, then OT report, then submission, then probably plan review for funding. Months could go by without supports one needs because the imparement list is incorrect. Is there going to be a grace period to collate reports etc, who's going to pay for those reports because the imparement notice is wrong, and, will finding be pulled until its correct if one is mid plan ? Not looking forward to this at all.

[@eforecho]

Yes Your hunch is absolutely correct