To offer an effective NDIS resource, the NDIS provide a series of booklets designed to be practical tools to help people with disability, participants, their families, carers and the wider community learn more about the NDIS, prepare for a planning meeting and to implement their plan.
When viewing Booklet #1 – Understanding the NDIS, you’re presented with information to learn about the NDIS itself, help you decide if you should apply for the NDIS and starting the journey to accessing the NDIS.
Let’s briefly look at the helpful information contained within…
Understanding the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s first national Scheme for people with disability.
There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. When it is fully rolled out, the NDIS will provide about 460,000 Australians aged under 65, who have permanent and significant disability with funding for supports and services. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.
The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
The NDIS provides “reasonable and necessary” funding to people with a permanent and significant disability to access the supports and services they need to live and enjoy their life (read more on “reasonable and necessary” here).
Every NDIS participant has an individual “plan” that lists their goals and the funding they have received.
Am I eligible to apply to access the NDIS?
The NDIA makes decisions about who can access the NDIS based on the information they provide about their disability and how it impacts on their day-to-day life. There’s some simple checklist items to start with, with details available in the NDIS booklet (download here):
- Are you under 65 years old?
- Are you:
• An Australian Citizen OR
• A permanent resident OR
Do you hold a protected special category visa - Is the NDIS available in your area? – search https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/ndis-rollout
- Do you usually need support from another person or use special equipment to complete everyday tasks because of a permanent and significant disability
- Do you need some supports now to reduce your support needs in the future?
From here, we encourage you to download the NDIS resources booklet #1 (download here) and read over it. If you’re ready, you can continue through the series of NDIS resources with two other booklets available which we’ve documented in some detail.
Booklet #2 can be found here: https://ndsp.com.au/ndis-participant-resource/, and booklet #3 here: https://ndsp.com.au/ndis-plan-as-an-ndis-participant/.
Starting your journey to becoming an NDIS Participant should begin with a phone call to the NDIS on 1800 800 110, and if you’re already underway and considering NDSP as your Plan Manager, please get in touch with us via 1800 63 63 77, or send us a message via our online form here: https://ndsp.com.au/contact-us/.
