Updates on the work we are doing with the community

The NDIA’s co-design work

The Reference Group learned about:

A group of people having a meeting.

  • how the NDIA are working with the community

Three people looking at a board with lots of ideas on it. One person is pointing to it.

  • different co-design projects.

A group of people looking at a document.

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

A group of people working with young children on a project.

This included ways the NDIA are working with children and young people on co-design.

A risk icon.

The Reference Group shared that the NDIA should think about risks children and young people face when they make sure participants are safe.

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

A group of people working on an ideas board. There is a calendar icon with ticks on the same day of every week.

The Reference Group also asked for regular updates about the NDIA’s co-design projects.

A person thinking, with an icon of Victoria's Youth Strategy above.

And they shared that the NDIA could think about using Victoria’s Youth Strategy 2022–2027 in their co-design work.

This document explains how the Victorian Government will work with young people.

What the disability community are doing

An icon of young people. One person has their hand raised to speak, and there is a megaphone and a disability icon.

The Reference Group learned about how the disability community are speaking up for children and young people.

A human brain with an infinity symbol on it.

This included work by an organisation called Autism CRC.

They are making a guide to support children with autism in Australia.

Autism affects how you:

  • think
  • feel
  • communicate
  • connect and deal with others.

An icon of a person. They have a speech bubble with a thumbs up, and a speech bubble with a tick.

The Reference Group shared that it’s important to have rules about the difference between a child:

  • agreeing to something
  • and
  • giving informed consent.

A person with both thumbs up. There is also a speech bubble and a tick icon.

When you give informed consent, you:

  • say it’s okay to do something
  • understand what you are agreeing to.

A human brain with an infinity symbol in it. There is an information icon.

They shared that there needs to be more information about supports for people with autism.

This includes support about how to find a job.

A group of people together in a park.

The Reference Group also shared important things that affect how children develop.

This includes:

  • taking part in the community
  • being included.

A child at school with an importance symbol and a disability symbol.

They shared that this is important for children with disability at school.

What CYDA are doing

A child at school with a disability symbol.

The Reference Group learned about the work Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) are doing.

CYDA is an organisation for children and young people with disability.

A child with their parent looking through a book together. There is a professional in the room with them.

This includes how CYDA:

  • supports children and young people to speak up about things that affect them
  • include them in co-design projects and keep them safe.

A person talking to a group of children outside on the grass. There is a guide dog.

The Reference Group shared that organisations need to create safe spaces for children and young people who are different ages.

These safe spaces will help them take part and share their ideas.

Two young people communicating in sign language.

They also shared that the NDIA needs to think about ways to include children and young people who don’t use words or speech to communicate.

A group of people working on an ideas board and an importance symbol.

And that it’s important to use co-design in different ways when working with children and young people.

For example, using images.

An icon of a group of working people with a money icon.

The Reference Group also shared that organisations should pay young people who:

  • are old enough to work
  • take part in co-design projects.