News
As the shock wears off following the news that NDIS plans, eligibility and the market are set to change as part of a significant number of reforms under the Scheme, many within the disability community would be wondering what they can do to make their opinions known.
As many of the country’s politicians, media and advocacy organisations will already be in Canberra on the 12th of May for the announcement of the Federal Budget, there is a National Day of Action being proposed for the 13th May. For those who are able to travel and want to participate, sign up to get updates and find out how you can contribute to the campaign here.
For a more individual approach, email your local MP or political representatives. You can you People with Disability Australia’s pre-formatted template or create your own
If you are more of a creative type, Every Australian Counts is calling for submissions of personal stories encapsulated in 1-2 minute videos or written form for their social media campaign. People with Disability Australia also have their own form of this, including written prompts to get you started if you’re struggling with where to begin.
Previously announced changes saw the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Dietitians Australia, Australian Podiatry Association, Australian Psychological Society, Australian Association of Social Workers and Behaviour Supports Practitioners Australia, among many other peak industry bodies and professionals, start a shared petition via change.org. Stand Up for Disability Support: Stop the NDIS Cuts is calling on the federal government to review the NDIS pricing recommendations, which threaten essential supports and choice for people with disability. For those with disability and support workers, the petition is still live and provides a legitimate way to share the community’s key concerns, frustrations and thoughts on the upcoming changes.
In his National Press Club address earlier this month, NDIS Minister Mark Butler announced that the Government is planning to stabilise the NDIS by focusing on four key areas, including stopping fraud, slowing rapid cost increases, clearer eligibility requirements and delivering quality services and support to participants.
Following the move, many disability advocacy organisations banded together to release a statement in response, calling on the Government to work with them and the broader disability community, every step of the way.
Any decisions that determine who gets support and who doesn’t must be built with the people most affected. Co-design and genuine engagement with the disability community – people with disability, their families, carers and advocates – is not a formality, it is the only way this can work, People with disability are the experts in their own lives and must lead the design of solutions.
DPO statement
In the wake of the announcement, Mr Butler appeared on ABC Radio National where he reenforced his commitment to improving the NDIS.
“There's a lot of work for us to do over coming months with the disability community. I'm meeting with disability organisations…to start that work. We know that the philosophy of this scheme, ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’, is really critical to the confidence that people with disability, NDIS participants and their families have, and I'm utterly committed to that,” he claimed.
Powerd Media will keep you updated on these changes as they happen.