All you need to know about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS supports people living with disability by providing information and referrals, assistance to access community services and activities, personal plans and other supports over a lifetime.

The NDIS will provide you with more choice and control over how, when and where your supports are provided and provide certainty you will receive the support you need over your lifetime.

NDIS Community workers will work with you to identify the right supports you need to live your life.  These can even include potential goals, enabling you to achieve them through paired programs, patient rehab services and other aspects of response care. These aspects include

Supports may help you achieve goals in many aspects of your life including independence, involvement in the community, education, employment, health and wellbeing.

Things to expect from the NDIS

• Funding is provided directly to people living with disability so they have more choice and flexibility.
• Some current services will not exist in the future.
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) are different. NDIS is the service, NDIA is the governing body.
• Each person will have to approach the NDIA to register for the NDIS.
• Be prepared. Understand what supports you need and want in the future.

When will these schemes be available?

People already taking part in the WA NDIS will transfer to the nationally sanctioned NDIS in a phased approach, beginning in April “18, with the phase aimed for completion at the end of December “18.  Those transferring from the WA specific NDIS will be contacted by the WA Government and be advised of the steps required to transfer to the National scheme.

What do you need to do?

To be able to receive NDIS in the future, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to take part in everyday activities
• Be aged less than 65 when you first access the scheme
• Be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen who holds a Protected Special Category Visa and;
• Live in a trial site location (during the trial). From July 2016 more locations will be available.

What’s next?

Access the NDIS Access Checklist on the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au to find out if you are able to receive assistance from the NDIS and the next steps.

For people living outside trial sites, existing national and state-based services and supports will continue until the NDIS is introduced in your area or extended to your age group.

Once the NDIS has confirmed you can access the scheme, an NDIS Community Connector will arrange to meet with you.  Together, you will discuss your needs, goals and aspirations and the supports you currently receive and may need in the future.  You can bring someone with you for support during your meetings. Using this information, your Connector will then develop a plan of supports that best meets your needs and your goals.

How On The Go Rehabilitation Services can help-

OTGRS is an NDIS registered provider so individuals that are plan managed, agency managed or self-managed are able to utilise our allied health services for physiotherapy, speech pathology, podiatry and dietetics.

OTGRS has been involved with the NDIS since its trial inception into WA almost 3 years ago, which means that we understand the system and we can work with the client to ensure optimum outcomes for their plan.

For more information, contact OTGRS on 0447 766 347 or email: ndis@onthegorehab.com.au

Alternatively you can browse the national NDIS website.