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

The Reference Group members shared these issues with the NDIA.

Reference Group members worry that some people with disability are not taking part in the NDIS.

This is because some people with disability don’t always fill out their Access Request Form in the right way.

An Access Request Form is a form you fill out to apply for the NDIS.

Members shared that there should be more face‑to-face meetings with participants.

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

This will support participants who may be at risk of harm.

Members explained that some young people don’t have many documents that:

• show who they are

• include their personal information.

This can make it harder for young people to take part in the NDIS.

Reference Group members shared that some participants find it hard to contact the NDIA.

This means participants find it harder to share important changes about their lives.

Members worry that some participants with intellectual disability don’t have enough choice and control over:

• how they receive supports

• where they receive supports.

For example, at home or at a day program.

Members explained that some participants don’t use their NDIS funding.

Funding is the money you get from your NDIS plan that pays for the supports you need.

This is because participants can’t find good support workers.

Members shared that support workers should have better training to follow behaviour support plans.

A behaviour support plan is a document with steps for improving behaviour.

Members explained that the NDIA should think about how they manage money for supports that build skills.

The NDIA should also think about how participants can use the funding in their NDIS plans for therapy.

Therapy includes different types of support that can help:

• how you think and feel
• your body to move better.

Members shared that the NDIA should share more information on good home and living supports with providers.

Providers support people who take part in the NDIS by delivering a service.

Reference Group members worry it’s too hard to make a complaint about a provider.

When you make a complaint, you tell someone that something:

• has gone wrong
• isn’t working well.

This makes it hard to get providers to take responsibility when they do the wrong thing.

Members explained that some providers try to move participants into aged care before they turn 65 years old.

This happens to participants with:

• intellectual disability

• illnesses that affect you as you get older.

Members shared that some providers build specialist disability accommodation (SDA) too close to other SDA.

SDA is housing for people with disability who need a lot of support. 

When providers build SDA too close together, it can separate people with disability from the community.

Members also shared that most participants find it hard to find providers who can support them in the justice system.

Our justice system includes:

• prisons
• the courts
• police
• the law.

Members worry that some support workers don’t always do the right thing.

For example, some support workers will just watch over people with disability.

This means people with disability don’t get all the support they need.

Members explained that some providers want to take control of young participants’ NDIS plans.

This happens to young participants who don’t get much support from people in their community.

Members shared that some organisations should have funding that lasts for a long time.

This includes organisations that help people with disability speak up for themselves.

This will help make sure participants get the support they need to make their own decisions.