1) registering for NDIS is complicated and there is no easy to find support available to assist with the process, and none that offers a free translation service for people whose first language is not English in South Australia. Doctors are not educated on how to help people register or understand what documents are helpful to submit.
2) as a parent the process of setting up goals and getting funding is traumatic as you get asked to talk about all the “worst” aspects of your child in order to get funding. There is no debrief or counselling after the session to help with the emotional discussion that takes place.
3) the funding being divided into different categories (core, etc) is really frustrating because I ask not to have money put into certain categories that I know we will not use and then have thousands of dollars allocated to my son that will not be used.
1) my Aunt who speaks Polish and has no internet access cannot independently apply for the NDIS, and even with family support has not been able to successfully register as there are no services to support her or the family. Her doctor submitted every single report and document he has on file for her with the application instead of just the key documents because he does not know how to apply for NDIS.
2) think about the questions participants and carers are being asked. I feel like I am on 60 minutes selling my sob story for money. It’s not ok to feel like crap after you go to a meeting looking for support for your child.
3) the money could be allocated yo someone else to use, or better put into a category that would mean the money would get spent!
1) a free service that is widely advertised that people can go to to get someone to help them apply for the NDIS. I have a double degree and a diploma and applying for NDIS is harder than all that study combined.
2) get rid of the categories and allow people to use the funding as they need it.
3) just ask about the goals and forget about explaining in detail about the persons life. Offer counselling for anyone who needs it after the session if you want to keep the emotional questions in.
1) being able to access services for my son that I would otherwise not have been able to afford.
2) that provider travel costs are covered as sessions in the home or at school are really beneficial