What important updates were in the meeting?

Changes in the disability community

IAC and Reference Group Members having a conversation at a table. Above them is a change icon inside of a speech bubble.

IAC and Reference Group members talked about how the NDIA might change soon.

A change icon inside of a speech bubble next to a thumbs up inside of a speech bubble.

They talked about:

  • what might change
  • how to make sure these changes work well.

What governments will say

A government building beneath a change icon inside of a speech bubble.

IAC and Reference Group members talked about some advice from the government about what might change.

A law document and a change icon.

This includes how some of the laws about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) might change.

Someone from the government writing in a document beneath a speech bubble.

This also includes what governments might say about the NDIS Review.

An Australian Government building, an NDIS document and a magnifying glass.

The Australian Government checked the NDIS to find out what:

  • worked well
  • could be better.

They call it the NDIS Review.

A group of people having a conversation beneath a speech bubble.

Members also talked about what governments might say about the Disability Royal Commission.

3 people with disability and one person is raising their hand. Next to them is a magnifying glass that shows a problem icon.

The Disability Royal Commission looked into problems people with disability have experienced.

It helped the Australian Government find out:

  • what went wrong
  • what we need to fix.

An icon of parliament house with 2 speech bubbles. One speech bubble shows a light bulb and the other speech bubble shows a change icon.

The disability community is waiting to hear from the government about:

  • their advice
  • what will change.

Listening to people with disability

A group of people with disability. 2 of the people are raising their hands and pointing to themselves.

Members shared that it’s important to listen to people with disability about how they want things to change.

A person supporting a person with disability. Next to the person with disability is a speech bubble.

Members also shared that the IAC and Reference Groups can help people with disability have their say about how the NDIA will change.

Mr Kurt Fearnley AO.

Members heard from Mr Kurt Fearnley AO.

Kurt is the Chairperson of the NDIA Board.

This means he runs the NDIA Board.

Ms Joan McKenna Kerr.

Members also heard from Mrs Joan McKenna Kerr.

Joan is an NDIA Board member.

A person with disability pointing to themself and raising their other hand. Above them is a speech bubble that shows an NDIA worker and next to them is a tick.

Kurt and Joan shared that the NDIA Board will keep making sure people with disability can have their say about everything the NDIA does.

Someone beneath a change icon inside of a speech bubble. Beside them is a calendar showing an arrow pointing forward.

They also shared that a lot might change for the disability community in the future.

How the NDIA will manage changes

Mr Scott McNaughton.

Members also heard from Mr Scott McNaughton.

Scott is the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA.

This means he’s running the NDIA for a short period of time.

Scott explained that the NDIA is waiting:

2 government buildings beneath a lightbulb inside of a speech bubble.

  • for governments to share their ideas about the NDIS Review

A law document and a change icon.

  • to find out how laws about the NDIS might change.

Scott shared that the NDIA is:

2 NDIA workers looking at documents together.

  • getting ready to work on the new changes

An NDIA worker holding a document and a tick.

  • making sure they keep working well while they wait for the new changes.

A group of people having a conversation at a table. One of them is using a laptop.

Scott also explained that the NDIA want to keep working with the community.

This includes sharing information about co-design work on:

A document and a pencil.
  • new projects

A change icon.
  • things they want to change.

3 people working together on large a document. One person is pointing at the large document.

Co-design is when people work together to plan something new.

Listening to other people in the disability community

Someone supporting another person in front of a building and a megaphone.

Members talked about organisations who speak up for people who support people with disability.

A group of people raising their hand beneath an importance icon inside of a speech bubble.

Members explained that these organisations are important for the NDIA.

They can help the NDIA hear about what is important to people in the disability community.

Mr Jeff Smith.

Members heard from Mr Jeff Smith.

Jeff is the CEO of the Disability Advocacy Network Alliance (DANA).

DANA supports organisations who help people from the disability community have their say.

Someone holding a document having conversation with an NDIA worker holding a document.

Jeff shared how organisations who speak up for people who support people with disability work with the NDIA.

3 people working together on large a document. One person is pointing at the large document.

This includes co‑design work they do with the NDIA about important changes.

IAC Work Plan for 2024 to 2025

A Work Plan documents showing a tick and a list.

Members talked about our Work Plan for next year.

Someone holding a document showing an importance icon.

Our Work Plan includes 7 key areas.

3 people. 2 are pointing to themselves and raising their hands.

Members agreed that all IAC work will focus more on how to support people with disability who experience intersectionality.

Someone pointing at a person who is raising their hand.

Intersectionality is the idea that different parts of who you are can affect:

  • your experiences
  • how people treat you.

Someone in a wheelchair raising their hand beneath a gender symbol inside of a speech bubble.

For example, your:

  • disability
  • gender.

A group of 6 LGBTIQA+ people. They are wearing colourful shirts in the colours of a rainbow.

Your gender is what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.

You might think of yourself as a man or a woman or something different.

You can choose the words that are right for you.

An NDIS document, a magnifying glass and a lightbulb.

Members also agreed that future IAC work should look at the ideas from the NDIS Review.