The Reference Group connected with the community to find out about issues that affect them.

The Reference Group members shared these issues with the NDIA.

Reference Group members explained that some young people aren’t happy about the changes to the NDIS laws.

Members also explained that there isn’t enough information about these changes that is:

• easy for young people to understand
• written for young people.

Reference Group members shared their thoughts about foundational supports.

Foundational supports are disability supports for all people with disability.

This includes people with disability who are not NDIS participants.

Participants are people with disability who take part in the NDIS. 

Members explained that some people are worried about how foundational supports will work in the future.

This is because there might be changes to the way the government manages these supports.

Some people aren’t sure there will be enough foundational supports for children and young people.

Members shared that it takes a long time for people who live far away from cities and towns to get some supports.

For example, early childhood supports.

Members explained that this affects families who want to take part in the NDIS.

Reference Group members shared that there are some issues with NDIS funding.

Funding is money from your NDIS plan that pays for the supports you need.

Your NDIS plan has information about:

• you and your goals
• what supports you need
• what the NDIS will pay for.

Members explained that issues with NDIS funding include spending too much money for some plans.

For example, some providers ask for more assessments than a participant needs.

Assessments help the NDIA work out:

• how your disability affects your life
• what supports you need.

Members also shared that young people in prison find it hard to use their NDIS funding.

Reference Group members shared some young people are worried about housing.

This includes young people:

• with disability
• who need extra support.

Some young people don’t feel like they have safe and secure housing.

For example, some young people have to move out of their housing.

They don’t have control of this when it happens.

Reference Group members explained how the NDIA’s new computer system doesn’t let participants use their plans in different ways.

Members shared that participants should be able to use their plans in different ways.

For example, the NDIA is working with participants to slowly help them use less supports.

But the new computer system stops them from changing their support needs.

This means a participant can’t use their funding for something else if they don’t need the support anymore.