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

This includes issues that affect participants.

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

Members shared reports about these issues with the NDIA.

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

An NDIS plan has information about:

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

Reference Group members said participants have to wait a long time for the NDIA to:

• make decisions about their NDIS plans

• do plan reassessments.

A plan reassessment is when the NDIA checks to see if the supports in an NDIS plan still work well for a participant.

Members said participants are also worried about losing money from their NDIS plans if they ask for a plan reassessment.

The NDIA said they are working on ways to fix these issues.

Members said participants are worried about changes to NDIS plans.

For example, if a participant changes their goals, it could affect the money they get to pay for supports.

Members said participants should have more control over their NDIS plans and the money they get for supports.

Navigators will help people with disability to:

• learn about different supports
• connect with experts
• find and use the supports they need.

Reference Group members said the new navigator role has caused many support coordinators to leave their jobs.

A support coordinator is someone who helps participants plan and use their supports.

Support coordinators have left their jobs because they’re unsure what their role will be when navigators start working.

This has made it harder for participants and their carers to find the help now.

Members said they want more information about navigators.

This includes information in Easy Read.

Reference Group members said participants should get extra support to help them get ready for an emergency.

An emergency is a dangerous situation that no one expects to happen.

For example, floods and bushfires.

This extra support should include money for an emergency in a participant’s NDIS plan.

Members said NDIS plans should also include a plan about what to do in an emergency.

Reference Group members said the NDIA is getting faster at checking NDIS plans for participants who move to a new house.

This helps participants have more choice and control over where they live.

Members said they’re happy with the NDIA for making these checks faster.

But members said they’re still worried there isn’t enough housing to meet different needs.

The NDIA said they have a new team that helps participants when a provider stops delivering a service.

Providers support people with disability by delivering a service.

The NDIA said this team works with:

• participants

• government organisations.

The team works with these people to make sure participants get the support they need.