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

This includes issues that affect participants.

Members shared reports about these issues with the NDIA.

People from the NDIA also shared their response to some of these issues.

Reference Group members said the community are worried about changes to the NDIS laws.

These changes might mean participants get less support to take part in the community.

Members are worried this will:

bullet take choice and control away from participants

bullet put the safety of some participants at risk.end of list

An NDIS plan has information about:

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

Reference Group members said some participants now get less funding in their NDIS plan.

Funding is money from an NDIS plan that pays for the supports a participant needs.

This includes funding for short term accommodation.

Short term accommodation lets someone stay in a place for a short time.

Participants and their families are under more stress without short term accommodation.

Members said changes to NDIS plans like this are a surprise to participants.

Members asked the NDIA to:

• tell participants early
• clearly explain what will change.

Reference Group members said it can be hard for participants to get support workers when they are in hospital.

Participants feel this is a risk to their:

• health
• safety.

Reference Group members said participants are having issues getting broken equipment fixed.

For example, a wheelchair.

Participants often have to wait 3 months to get their equipment fixed.

This happens even when the equipment is still under warranty.

Warranty means the maker needs to fix or replace something if it breaks.

Warranty only lasts a little while.

First Nations Connect is the NDIA’s new call centre for First Nations participants.

Reference Group members said people were happy with First Nations Connect.