Published on: 26th August 2021
The NDIS has announced a trial program for ‘independent assessments’ for NDIS participants, a decision that was strongly opposed by many disability advocacy groups and organisations, including Deaf Connect.
The ‘independent assessment’ model proposed that the eligibility of individuals to receive NDIS funding, and the level of their funding, would be assessed by government-contracted health professionals rather than reports from a participants’ own medical specialist.
Concerns were immediately and strongly raised by organisations and individuals concerned that this new process would not properly address the needs of NDIS participants, a view mirrored by the NDIS’s own Independent Advisory Council – a group reflecting and representing the lived experience of people with disabilities.
We are pleased to report that after meeting with state disability ministers, the Minister for the NDIS, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC announced that the trial of ‘independent assessments’ for NDIS participants would not proceed.
Deaf Connect welcomes this news as a win for all people with a disability, and a win for the Deaf community, many of whom access the NDIS. We will continue to stand with our community to build capacity and influence social change.
