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 shared what the community thinks about the changes to some NDIS laws.

Some people from the community are worried about the changes.

Some people from the community have also experienced trauma because of the changes.

Trauma is the way you feel about something bad that happened to you.

For example, you might feel scared or stressed.

Trauma can affect you for a long time.

Members explained that the NDIA should share information about the changes that is easier to:

• understand
• find and use.

This might:

• stop people from sharing information online that isn’t correct

• explain information better so people don’t need to go to a support coordinator for help.

A support coordinator is someone who helps people with disability plan and use their supports.

The NDIA sent a letter to all participants about the changes to some NDIS laws.

Members shared that some participants are still unsure about how the changes will affect their NDIS plans.

An NDIS plan is a document that includes information about:

• a participant and their goals
• what support they receive from the NDIS.

These participants want to feel sure about their NDIS plans and support.

They also want the NDIA to share clearer information about:

• when participants owe the NDIA money

• plan reassessments.

When the NDIA do a plan reassessment, they check to see if the supports in a participant’s plan still work well for them.

Members shared that some participants worry they will make a mistake with their NDIS plan.

They worry that they will spend their funding on the wrong supports after the NDIS laws have changed.

Some participants also shared that payments for their providers can take a long time.

This means providers are not getting paid quickly.

Members explained that the community are worried about foundational supports.

Foundational supports are disability supports for all people with disability.

This includes people with disability who don’t take part in the NDIS.

People from the community want people who deliver foundational supports to have the right skills.

Members also shared that these supports have affected NDIS plans since the laws changed.