National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants could soon have more power to take control of the decisions that impact them. This follows the release of a consultation paper that marks the start of a 10-week consultation period, during which time the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will seek feedback from participants and the wider sector on how to ensure participants play a bigger role in determining how they are supported.
The paper, ‘Supporting you to make your own decisions’, and an accompanying survey was developed with input from participants, nominees, families and carers through the NDIS Participant Reference Group, as well as stakeholders.
NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds said about 60 per cent of adult participants on the NDIS have a disability that might mean they require support to make decisions. “We know many NDIS participants have someone in their lives who they trust to help them make decisions on disability supports, but some don’t. The aim of this consultation paper is to assist participants and their families with empowered and informed decision making,” she said.
Down Syndrome Australia CEO, Dr Ellen Skladzien who welcomed the paper, said people with Down syndrome and those with intellectual disability have a right to make decisions about their lives, but often decisions are made for them. “This policy is a step forward in ensuring that people with a disability get a say in the choices that impact their lives.”
The NDIA has also released a paper, ‘An Ordinary Life at Home’, to inform the way participants are supported to pursue their home and living goals.
Consultations close on August 27, 2021, and the consultation papers can be found on the NDIS website.