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

Members shared reports about these issues with the NDIA.

Reference Group members said the NDIA is calling participants without telling them first.

These phone calls are to talk about what participants need from their NDIS plans.

An NDIS plan has information about:

• a participant and their goals
• what supports they need
• what the NDIS will pay for.

Members are worried these phone calls mean:

• participants can’t get ready to talk about what they need

• NDIS plans can change when participants don’t expect it.

Members said some participants don’t answer these phone calls because they’re worried the NDIA will decide they don’t need the NDIS anymore.

A plan manager is someone who can manage the money you get from the NDIS.

Members said some participants feel like their plan managers:

• have too much control over their money from the NDIS

• don’t always pay for the services they have used.

The NDIA said they will work better with plan managers to make sure they treat participants fairly.

Reference Group members said participants are confused about:

• how some of the NDIS laws have changed

• what changes to the NDIS laws will mean for them.

Members said the NDIA shouldn’t make a lot of changes to the NDIS laws at the same time.

Reference Group members said people don’t feel like there is enough support for:

• First Nations participants

• participants that live in places far away from cities or towns.

These participants often don’t know they should:

• be treated fairly
• get the support they need.

Reference Group members are worried about what people say and think about different groups in the community.

They’re worried about:

• what is being said in the news

• what other people think and feel.

Members said they will work with the IAC to write a message or advice about:

• being inclusive

• supporting what makes people different.