Throughout April, May and June, Blind Citizens Australia will be hosting several workshops across Victoria to provide more information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme and My Aged Care. Find out more about the benefits of these workshops and how you can register.
Oct 16, 2015
Submission on the Review of the NDIS ACT
The Australian Government commissioned an independent review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) (NDIS Act), as required under Section 208 of the NDIS Act. In accordance with this legislative requirement, Disability Ministers had agreed that Ernst & Young (EY) conduct the review.
The purpose of the review is to assess the operation of the legislative framework (comprising the NDIS Act and the NDIS Rules) and develop recommendations as to whether any improvements can be made to better support the objectives and principles of the NDIS Act.
The Blind Citizens Australia submission to the then released discussion paper can be found here: BCA NDIS ACT Review October 2015 (Word doc)
Feb 17, 2014
NDIS Update
The roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is steadily progressing, with a number of people who are blind or vision impaired now receiving individualized support through the scheme.
There has been growing concern within the disability sector since the government’s adoption of a new term to refer to the sites where the NDIS was first launched in July last year. While these were initially referred to as “launch sites”, people felt that the new term, “trial sites” reflected the government’s lack of commitment towards an ongoing NDIS and was a sign of the scheme’s impending demise.
The Council of Australian Governments has, however, advised that the name change simply reflects the fact that the launch areas are being used to trial the way in which the scheme is administered and to learn lessons about how the system can be improved prior to commencement of the full national roll out.
Visit our NDIS page for the full update and more information on the NDIS.
Dec 5, 2013
In conversation with Minister Fifield
Assistant Minister for Social Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Minister Fifield tells Chair of Australian Federation of Disability Organisations Margherita Coppolino about the NDIS and his plans to make it the best it can be.
Nov 7, 2013
NDS News Update – NDIA revises support definitions and pricing lists
NDIA revises support definitions and pricing lists |
| The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released new versions of the ‘Support Clusters Definitions and Pricing’. The revised items have positive features, but note: this is not the Agency’s response to the review of the prices for one-to-one supports, which is not expected until the end of November.The positive features include a new category for supporting participants with challenging behaviour or with high medical support needs. This covers support with daily personal activities and support to participate in community, social and civic activities. While the rates set for this support category are inadequate, NDS is pleased that the NDIA has accepted our argument that supporting participants with challenging behaviour or high medical needs costs more than supporting other participants.
NDS is also pleased to see a new support item that recognises that some individuals require higher intensity complex support coordination. The price for this has been set at $83.00 per hour, more than $30 per hour more than the standard coordination price. In addition, the NDIA has acknowledged that where “such support is provided or guided by a health professional because of the needs of the participant, the health professional rates apply for that support.” This range of complex support coordination items better reflects the needs of participants who require assistance with coordination or managing life stages, transitions and supports. The expansion of the number of items under the ‘Assistance to access and maintain employment’ cluster is also positive. It better reflects the assistance that people with significant disability require to find and maintain employment. The inclusion of ‘Assessment to identify vocational potential and suitability’ and ‘Workplace assessment’ are particularly welcome, along with the items for ‘Post-school employment assistance’. The prices related to work in an Australian Disability Enterprise have been revised to reflect current ADE case-based funding levels. This at least will clarify pricing arrangements for ADE providers during the launch phase of the NDIS. As NDS’s negotiations with the NDIA continue, members operating in the launch sites are encouraged to provide NDS with feedback on NDIS prices, particularly those prices relating to accommodation support, group-based community participation and employment. We thank members who have already assisted us with information. NDS will inform members as soon as the outcome of the review of prices for one-to-one support is available.
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