Page 25 - MDS final deliverable

BROADER SYSTEM: INSIGHT NINE
TUG-OF-WAR
There is a ‘tug-of-war’ as on the one hand families genuinely believe that NDIS is a privilege, allowing them to have access to disability services that they would otherwise not have. On the other, there is anxiety in not knowing how to fully capitalise on this privilege and they often experience extreme frustration in the repetitive processes involved to obtain funding year after year.
Participants feel they have to ‘jump over hoops’ to obtain funding. Every year is a ‘fight’ for funding, despite not much change in their situation. This causes them despair, frustration and anxiety and adds a layer of complexity to their already stressful lives.
There is lack of clarity of process in NDIS. Misinformation and misalignments make participants feel as though the government agencies are working against them, instead of for them.
The reason participants and their families continue to persevere through what they believe is an ‘ill thought out system’ is the understanding that the end goal outweighs the frustrations. They have no other choice.
POSSIBLE IDEAS AND CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS
A ‘one stop shop’: Having representatives available who understand the entire ecosystem of support that is available to participants. This could be achieved through a meeting every six months to help the participants and their families navigate the disability insurance system. This representative needs to be an expert on ‘all things NDIS’ to help identify a fund manager / support co-ordinator and help reassess suitable programs and services that may be of most value to the participant.
A ‘tug of war’ between bureaucracy and the benefits it provides.
More applicable to:
CENTRE BASED
PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT
MENTAL HEALTH
Commercial in confidence
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