We’ve been in the Northern Territory this month.
For the NDIS to be successful, it’s not just about specialist services. People with disability need to be connected to their communities.
Tennant Creek and Ali Curung Barkly Region of the Northern Territory were two significant stops on the trip. The NDIS was launched in the territory 8 years ago. It was the first experiences of the scheme in a remote community.
Bruce Bonyhady spoke about what he has seen in his time there. The NDIS has not been rolled out properly in these communities, and it has failed to reach its potential. There is a lack of adequate housing and health services, along with challenges accessing education.
While the NDIS can’t address all these issues, it can make a contribution to Closing the Gap.
In Tennant Creek for example, the two Aboriginal Controlled Organisations that provide health care, and disability and aged care, are completely disconnected from the scheme.
In Ali Curing, they have plan managers, but no services to use. Participants and their families must continue to do what they have always done – rely on themselves and the generosity of others to get by. The NDIS has not made a difference in this community and this has to change.
Innovation however abounds. Community hubs are set up to help PWD share their experiences. Organisations are building their own social capital. Community connectors (when in place) are deeply linked to their communities.
If we can build services better and differently in these communities, we could see real change.