South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID), a partner of Inclusion Australia, held their annual conference this month and NDIS Review panel member Dougie Herd had the privilege of attending.
For adults with intellectual disability, their families, carers and professionals the SACID Leading through Inclusion conference provides people with intellectual disability the chance to be seen, heard and understood.
We heard first-hand from people with lived experience what is working well, what isn’t working well and how to improve the NDIS. All in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
We heard how fantastic the NDIS had been at raising the profile of people with disability to the Australian public. Family members shared how before the NDIS all supports came out of their pocket but with a funded support package from the NDIS, they were able to focus on being a family.
We had a great day at the SACID conference. Listening to disability advocates and young leaders in South Australia discussing their work, their challenges and successes. We also held a session to discuss the NDIS Review. Throughout the day we met NDIS participants and family members -- sharing their stories, giving ideas, having their say about reform of the NDIS. Nothing beats just listening to people eager to build a better future for all.
Dougie Herd, NDIS review Panel Member
However, attendees did express that NDIS planning and navigating the system is extremely complicated. More accessible and clearer processes are needed to ensure participants and their family can better engage with the NDIS.
It was all discussed and highlighted the importance of support workers having up-to-date knowledge and experience, stating that worker training should be as focused on building capacity as it is on specific tasks.
“Now I have two beautiful support workers who are well trained – so much experience and I feel so safe when I am with them and I want everyone else out there to have a really good support team.”
SACID Conference Attendee.
We heard solutions for a better NDIS for people with intellectual disability that included:
- NDIS plans written in Easy English/Easy Read,
- block funded case management for people who need that level of support similar to that of the SDA, and
- Shared responsibility between the NDIS and community for inclusion and equal participation.
Hearing the stories, insights and ideas directly from people with lived experience of intellectual disability was an invaluable opportunity. And the Review would like to thank all of you that shared on the day and through our website.
This engagement continues the panel’s commitment to genuine and broad engagement that reflects the full diversity of NDIS.
If you would like to tell us your solutions for the NDIS visit the Have your say form on our website.