ndis funding here we go again

Here we go again!

Visiting Sydney as

Queensland Representative

for Supported Art Studio

The National Disability Insurance Scheme known as the ndis is not a luxury. It is not about better lives. It is a system to ensure people with disabilities; their families and carers; have the same access to a lifestyle enjoyed by other Australians.

The Liberal Governments announcement to propose the reallocation of funding intended for the ndis to drought proofing Australia or other agendas tells people with disabilities what society thinks.  'We do not fully belong to society.' Our needs can only be met in times of affordability.

The ndis has the potential to contribute to the economy in the same way company tax cuts do.  Just because the big end of town has disposable income to support major political parties, does not lessen the contribution people with disabilities and their families can make.  The ndis is very much about lifting the poverty rates of the 460 000 Australians set to benefit.  Regardless of community views we have the right to accessible accommodation; not see 80 year old parents care for 56 year old children; or forgo income to care for an adult child; the right to an education; not be financially disadvantaged to pay for costs associated with access needs; not to sit in nursing homes when we turn 45; access to training and employment. 

How many times do we need to prove the ndis will save money on our care long term, create employment and lessen the burden of family members being dependent on Centrelink,  Why would you choose to 'future proof' one industry over another?  Both the agricultural and disability sectors need economic security, both groups have the same right not to experience the emotional toll of financial insecurity.  

The government has a responsibility to honor the bi-partisan agreement to fund the ndis in full into the future.  Those with disabilities and families have enough uphill battles to fight to keep funding every time money is needed elsewhere which is precisely why it needs to be funded in full by a medicare Levy as originally intended.  Mr Morrison stop robbing Peter and ensure our standard of living too. 

Celebrating the signing of the ndis

agreement between the then 

Federal and State Governments

Photo curiously of ALLARA Queensland and Judy Dixon

Rest assure Scott Morrison and future governments we will demand our voices are heard. 

Self-directing and achieving my ndis goals

This week I attended a workshop by the Australian Cultural Fund. Unlike other crowd funding platforms you do not need to offer rewards.  The site is perfect for small independent not-for-profit organisations and independent artists like myself who do not have charity status.  Using the platform means they hold funds on your behalf, however you do all the fundraising and marketing.

One of the most helpful segments of the workshop was thinking through how to use your current resources most effectively.  Enter a timeline and planning your campaign.  With fundraising for most projects is driven by the timing of your project, it is good to look at what else is happening in your art practice and personal life.  The bulk of a fundraising campaign should be done when there are slumps in your calendar. 

For me I can be developing a campaign now before applying for funding so in my budget proposal I can say I aim to raise $2000 through the Australian Cultural Fund and here is the outline of my campaign.  The key to the success is packaging you campaign to attract like minded supporters.  I thought my goal was clear.  My goal has always been to assist the development of a socially inclusive Ipswich arts community.  This is not really a goal but the story behind my goal, leading to the activity I want to undertake.

Visual art workshops and art exhibitions to promote discussion on diversity.  My ultimate goal is to see a fair percentage of work by visual artists with disabilities acquired by the Australian Art Bank.  These are a collection which are 'rented' by public galleries around Australia.  When I started working in the arts and disability sector the Art Bank did not own a single collection by an Australian artist with disability, rest assured at that time the Art Bank was in the process of acquiring art from one such artist. 

Without people like myself working at grassroots level to both assist artists with disabilities to access their local art communities and galleries; and advocating for these artists, then we will not see a growth in the number of artists with disabilities with collection owned by the Australia Art Bank.  As an artist living with disability when creating my own body of work advocates for others.  Every time I interact with a gallery, art collection, other artists and people attending openings, is a change to highlight ability and not disability. 

This is one reason more and more I am directing my work to the arts community rather that of the disability sector.  The are many services offering art for enjoyment or art activities to grow self esteem, but few supporting artists to work in the mainstream arts community.  I have always said along side this we need to highlight the talents and the work of artists living with disabilities to the community.  Only then will the community support us to address the many access issues for artists with disabilities.

Along side selling and projects I put my name too, I need to find supporters that want to see the Australian Art Bank purchasing work by artists with disability.  

My own participation in the art sector and growing my art practice has been assisted by my participation in the ndis.  My primary ndis goal remains to grow my visual art practice.  Being able to self-direct and employ a key worker for 30 to 35 hours a week has made it easier to focus on this goal.  I am no longer needing to bring eight support workers or multiple providers onto the same page. 'I am a professional visual artists' good luck to any support worker trying to make my supports about social engagements, having fun and going to movies.  

Apart from the movies in the main I think my current support structure allows me to do these things as well.  My activities have moved from the Ipswich CBD to Boonah, Marburg and Brisbane and in 2019 I am keen to extend this more.  One thing I do want to do is to map out regular art events for 2019 to look for gaps when I have time to do a personal project well and that includes any fundraising that I undertake. 

This is how my main ndis goals look likes day to day. And how I structure my support team to achieve this. 

working with terms and conditions under the ndis

We need to start educating providers about comsuer choice and different ways of plan manager so this is a email to a provider this morning,. 

Store Manager

I am sorry to draw your attention to a decline in customer service offered by your team.  I do feel you would value my feedback given our business relationship extends many years and I know you pride yourself on the high-quality service you have previously delivered.

I acknowledge the introduction to the NDIS has been difficult for all parties and navigating it has not been easy.  However, we have all had 18 months to adjust to the NDIS system, as manager I see it as your role to train your staff in the number of ways NDIS can be managed.

While I respect providers want to ensure participants can pay for services and products.  A participant should not need to pay out of their own pocket.  I realise it has been your store policy for payment on delivery. 

I feel frustrated that having my manual chair serviced I now need to wait until my plan manager pays the invoice. I am told that could take up to 7 days.  Once I have it confirmed by them the money can be reimbursed I will pay by cash then I will collect my chair.  This is not very convenient to do so. Like your business I do not want to be out of pocket as unlike a NDIS managed plan, my portal is not set up for me to make a claim. 

I self-manage my funds through a fund manager.  My fund manager pays all invoices on my behalf within seven days, as is standard business practice. This payment agreement is beyond my control.

This issue has arisen for three reasons:

1.       Your staff are not trained well enough to be able to handle payments through different types of plan management.

2.       Services not trusting clients to be in control of their expenditure, therefore you all ask for service agreement plans.  You want to ensure we can pay.  No other consumer is treated with this level of distrust and this is a discriminatory attitude adopted by all providers.  Participants are trapped between providers and fund managers.  It is them who are inconvenienced when a provider withholds a service, while a plan manager decides to pay.  As you know I run a business and now I feel held a ransom buy both parties.  I blame you both equally as each of your terms and conditions leave me without a chair or out of pocket.

I could just have paid the $40 as requested, but I wanted to highlight the gaps in the NDIS delivery service. Every transaction as a participant is lengthy and incurs inconvenience, that sends a message that we people with disabilities are untrustworthy and it is ok to make us wait because we don’t have responsibilities.  We are used to being made to wait.

I not only write this email as a loyal customer who is made to feel less important but on behalf of every non-verbal participant who is now trapped in a system dishing out the same old same old.  Our predictions were correct it’s the same old story under a new name that takes five times as long as the system it replaced.

As you know I am a strong advocate for people with disabilities.  I am not happy just to send you this email, which will be followed up with the excuses other providers have already given me.  It will be forward to Shayne Newman my local MP and published on my blog. I don’t want an apology, I want change! I want to be treated with respect and receive the same quality service as every other Australian resident.  I too run a business to run and my work hours should not be consumed by chasing up payment of NDIS invoices.

Open for business through ndis support

My stock at Limestone Emporium 

My ndis goals are centered around my growing visual art practice and seeking opportunities to find new audiences and opportunities. I have other goals such a building my own support team to self-direct; assisting to build an inclusive community in Ipswich through advocacy and community engagement and maintaining a high level of independence. 2018 has been a year to explore different art markets and ways for selling my artwork.  As such, I have paid for advertising on Facebook; uploaded work to Redbubble for digital printing; worked hard and developing my Etsy store; and enter art competitions outside the Ipswich region.  

'Harmony' on the wall at Black Snake Creek Art Festival

in Marburg Lockyer Valley

It is difficult to determine the success of different approaches I've tried in 2018 due to a flat art market.  I do know that my prints have sold well at Aspire Gallery, and my most popular print is the zany cat below. 

Love me . . . Love me not!

I also know the first business principle is visibility!  No one is going to buy my artwork if it is unseen, or lost in the 100 000's of artwork been marketed on the Internet.  I do not see how an artist can grow their art practice without both a physical presence in the art market and some type of Internet social media.  You need to tell potential customers where to find your work.  To date, Internet sales points have no yielded results, but there's been a few nibbles. 

One of the many art exhibition openings

I have attended in 2018

When it comes to finding art opportunities the other key ingredient is networking.  I belong to ArtsConnect Ips, a vibrant art community where we support each other; share creative ideas and opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork.  Its a lot of fun but its also hard work at times. 

Friendships through belonging to an

arts community.

Much of this growth in my art practice would not be possible if I wasn't a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, known as the ndis.  The ndis is the first national approach to disability support in Australia, ensuring no matter what your post code is, you have the same access to disabilities supports and needed equipment.  Everyone who participates in the ndis should be undergoing a national standard intake process. We of course know that where people are involved mistakes and misunderstandings occur and that's why participants and the support person needs to be active in advocating for their needs and accessing the review process where needed.  Everyone has a right to make a complaint and be heard, however a large amount of misinformation is still out there and you need to understand the key principles under riding the ndis.  Too many participants attend planning meetings unprepared or go in with an unrealistic shopping list.  I have lots of previous posts about preparing for planning meetings and how to advocate for yourself or the person you support, if this is a current struggle for you I recommend you take a look back at previous posts. 

At work in my home studio

Every participants budget begins with a planning meeting with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC). This may take place over the phone or in person. The structure of your ndis plan and thus your budget is based on your individual goals, not your disability; what you can't do or the service providers you want to access.  So if your pre-planning is around these areas you will struggle.  So what are ndis goals and how do you develop them?

The simplest way to think about ndis goals is the things you want to do or how you want your future to look.  The best place to start is to list your daily activities, more than likely these are the things you need support to do like get ready for school or work; or interact in your community. Some participants and there families will have long term goals such as finishing school and maximising independence; others will want to continue life as it is; and some participants will want to try new things.  

Supports paid under your plan are determined by your goals; how you want to achieve them and how you required to be supported.  Your LAC will not know you or your current support network, you need to paint an accurate picture of what life looks like; to do this you need to provide additional information to the questionnaire, as it is unlikely to paint an accurate picture of your life.

The definition of 'support' has changed. The definition is now broader than just your direct support needs and services you want to access.  You now have choices on who will administer your funds; who provides your equipment and repairs and access to therapy which will improve your daily living.  Anything related to your plan and how you want to structure your supports needs to be requested in your planning meeting such as support coordination.  If the questionnaire does not lead to a discussion in an area you think you need support then you need to raise it.  You need to think how your support will be structured and administrated prior to this. 

Every participant will have different pathways and plan structures depending on their disability; goals; support needs and support structure. I can only share my own story, the choices I made to arrive at my current supports structures. The more accurate information you can access about how to structure your supports; the services you will choose, the more likely you will be satisfied with your supports.  This information is not freely offered or easy to find but in previous posts I have shared tips to access information needed to make informed decisions so flick back through my posts. 

Doodles and Dribbles opened for business

Some of my artwork hangs in a

local coffee shop and I am designing 

their summer uniform.

Don't let traditional pathways limit your opportunities and think outside the box and take advantage of opportunities as they present. I am no longer able to trade as a sole trader so in September I formally took ownership of a business called Doodles and Dribbles. Day to day my business continues to develop the same but legally I now own a small business and all small business owners work incredibly hard. 

In terms of the structure of my ndis supports I self-manage.  To do this you will need to prove your ability to do so, however supports available to do this are countless and easy to access. In terms of self-managing word or mouth, recommendation and my networking with other participants serve me best.  As a small business owner  book keeping tasks, data entry and invoices is something I am keen to avoid as it is time consuming and vital to get correct so I opted to use a plan manager. 

A plan manager is responsible for ndis reporting; payment of invoices and an overall budget picture.  The participant is responsible to find service providers; suppliers of consumables; obtaining equipment quotes; and negotiating service agreements. In addition to this I self-direct my own support team.  It is a lot of work and I tried to avoid it, but in the end it was the only option that could yield the support structure I wanted.  For the first time since I accessed support services I can say my life looks the way I want and I am truly happy living an artists life.  This should be the outcome for every participants. The truth is few people in life every find their true passion and this makes me feel truly blessed.  That's not to say the sailing is smooth. There are always hitches to correct and countless phone calls to find the information to correct hitches.  

How hard can it be to issue an invoice and pay for it on my behalf. My key support worker and I do it everyday in running my business, but for a support service it seems impossible and hours are spent seeking corrections. They are paid to do this, I am not.  However I am aware in terms of navigating the ndis I am fairing  better than most.

My other main ndis goal is independence and this falls under  my improved daily living budget. As a single person living a creative lifestyle and business from home as you can imagine accommodation to support this lifestyle is very important too me.  Living in a smaller unit or with others would be very difficult after living on my own with various cats for 20 years.  An issue for all people with disability and their families is what happens as participants age and family members pass away.  Living on my own may not always be an option, but there are choices I can make now to optimise my choices as I age. The ndis takes a lifespan approach to disability support and desires to invest in participants independence and quality of life. 

For me this is where things like physio, ot assessments and assisted technology come in.  My choice to live independently is important to do so I want to ensure my safety.  I do not want to rely on 24 hour care as I deeply value my personal space. Space I use to create, rest and recharge.  Participants all have their own needs and one of my is emotional and physical well being.  To achieve this I am supported by a physio to build endurance and use assisted technology.  

This includes a safe alarm which allows me to call for help if I am home alone. There are many types of safety systems on the market. If this is something that interest you, you will need to consider your individual needs and support networks.  The system I use has a 24 hour call center, it I don't answer they call 000 and a family member who has a key, if I can talk to the other person on the line, I can ask them to call someone to assist with basic first aid or arrange getting me to my gp.  

I now use some of my support hours

to maintain my courtyard garden. 

When it comes to advising others on establishing ndis paid support system it is difficult as plans are now so personalised.  I can tell you that ndis staff want to support you to make your own choices; be as independent as possible and live a quality of life.  The passport to your success is planning and accessing the right information and a network who can help you make good choices around your ndis plan. 

You are your (or the person you care for) best advocate.  If theis involves making a complaint or seeking a review then you need to stand-up to the plate. For me I focus on building my business so let me know if you're interested in buying my art!

My Christmas range can be purchased

visit my Esty store

ndis and belonging

As human beings we all have one basic need . . . to belong and people living with disability are no exception.  The National Disability Insurance Scheme is designed to assist people to participate in the community and enjoy relationships with others.  The ndis is about ensuring all people in Australia live quality lives. 

People with disabilities have families, friendships, have relationships, get married, enjoy getting out and about, work, play sport, enjoy arts and craft and travel the world.  The lives of many people with disabilities look no different to your own, while others need assistance to access the community, work, sporting events and the cultural life of the community.

Disability occurs when a person can not access society due to impairment. No one is born with a disability, rather it is the way our society has been structured which leads to someone being disabled or experiencing disabilities.  Thus we were all born equal. The structure of society denies access to people with impairments  and family members, these barriers may be physical, psychological, social, intellectual or attitudinal.

The single most disabling factor in our modern day community is the way we limit ourselves, when we limit ourselves often we indirectly limit others. Someone doesn't need an impairment to experience access issues or disability.

Lack of literacy skills or education can be as equally disabling as a physical or intellectual disability.  All these groups can experience difficulties accessing certain information, needed in their daily life. Disability is a normal part of the human condition, societies structure has lead to the marginalisation of those with impairments. 

The road to the introduction of the ndis was born from a human rights issue and a grassroots movement led by people experiencing disability themselves, as we demanded to belong!  Born equal they wanted to experience equality.  Many people with disabilities and mental illness have historically not had a voice, not been involved in political life, and not had equal access to the Judicial system. To obtain this they needed to gain a collective voice and political representation.  This gave voice to the every Australian Counts Campaign. 

I count! We all count!

The ndis is a scheme for all Australians not just the 460 000 Australians like me who will directly benefit through support to meet our access needs.  It recognises anyone can give birth to a child with an impairment or acquire impairments at anytime.  By the age of 80; 9 out of 10 people will have acquired some type of impairment that leads to an experience of disability.  This is why the ndis is a scheme for all Australians.  ndis not only addresses the individual access needs of those experiencing disability, it also addresses the structures in society that lead to disability. 

One tier of the ndis addresses the daily living needs of those experiencing disability: such as equipment, modification to buildings and cars, technology, personal care, early intervention programs and community access. 

ndis also addresses access barriers in the community itself, through education, advocacy, and disability action plans.  To allow Australians with disability to fully participate in community life we need to dissolve structures that are disabling, changing the way we view people living with impairments is the biggest challenge.  We need to move away from the traditional charity model to a model of belonging.  A model of belonging acknowledges no one is born with disability and we are all responsible for the ways Australians experience disability. 

We must cease to view the ndis as assisting those less fortunate and see it the way it was intended.  To give all Australians equal access to society and its function.  The ndis was not intended to be needs based, nor a government welfare it is a system to support those living with disability to live their best lives through achieving their goals.  Until this shift in thinking occurs the key principles of the ndis are at risk.

As an artist I belong to a rich cultural community that is not always accessible to someone with my level of impairment.  Many educational institutions and smaller galleries are not accessible. Luckily with support I can climb steps and sit back in my chair, however many fellow artists can not visit the galleries in which their work hangs. 

We who belong have a responsibility to bridge the access points and this includes ensuring the ndis is delivered as originally designed. 

ndis - Choosing a provider

The introduction of the ndis gives participants choices around the activities they want to engage in; the way they want to achieve their goals; how they want to be supported; who they would like to support them (ie providers and supplies); therapies that will assist with long term independence.  But how do you find the services and support people who best suit you and your goals?

My name is Deb Chilton and I self-manage my ndis plan.  The National Disability Insurance Scheme gives participants and their families choices around their 'supports'.  Individuals have the right to chose who will support them; how they want to be supported, when they want to be supported; however how do you chose the right provider to meet your needs.

Regardless of how your plan is administrated

Participants can chose their service providers

As a participant of the ndis you fall into one of two groups:-

• Those who have had support prior to the ndis;
• and those who haven't

When it comes to choosing a service provider those who have previously accessed a service provider should have an advantage. Many participants are selecting to stay with current providers, due not coping with change; friendships; repore with staff and a sense of security.  They are really important reasons to stay with a provider, as long as they are supporting you to achieve the goals or enjoy the activities outlined in your ndis plan.

However the ndis broadens' the scope of what supports you can access. You may be able to access supports you've not been able to access before such as assisted technology; counselling, early intervention, physio and speech thearphy.  So if you not used these types of supports before or your new to the disability support system where do you start your search?

As someone who has accessed some type of support for over 20 years and volunteer in the sector, I imagined I had a pretty good handle on the support services market.  However the choices, I made haven't worked out for me.  That's ok because the one choice you can always make under the ndis is 'change your mind.'

Most agreements you have with service providers have a period of notification before you can leave. typically that is 30 days, however if your changing providers due to unresolvable dispute that period can be waved.

So the first thing you need to look for in a provider is; can they support you to achieve your ndis plan goals. If they can't then you need to cross them off your list.

Some disability support providers provide specialized support services they deliver (such as allied health services); while other providers cover a large range of services such as: (physio, ot, speech, accommodation support, direct service support, community support and plan management.)  You will need to weigh up if you're looking for a provider that provides the range of supports you want or you want a number of smaller providers who specialized in the areas you need.

For example larger organizations such as Blue Care, cpl, and Endeavour offer a large range of support services including accommodation support, community support; nursing, in-home support; support coordination, fund hosting, ot services, physio and speech thearpies.

Where as smaller companies or businesses only offer a handful of services such as hiring of support staff; social activities or plan administration.  You might want to think through how many services you want to juggle in your life.  Or you might chose to ask the ndia for supports coorindation to help you select your providers. 

You need to ask for all the types of supports you need in the planning meeting and that includes support coorindations or the will not be money in your budget to access that service. So if you are still to have your planning meeting here's some tips.

1. Have a list of porrtental ndis goals and/or activities you want to engage in.  Know what you want to do.  ie move out of home; play cricket; fun stuff like disco dancing; help to get to and from school/work or the local shops.
2. Have a plan of how you want to work things:-  a) early intervention programs; b) mobility equipment; c) help after school and d) social support on the weekends.
3. A list of supports you receive now: This is not a list of your support providers. You might chose to stay will your current providers; change providers for certain supports; or start over again.  Your ndis plan and therefore budget is independent of any providers you will chose to access. 
4. Have an idea of how you want your plan to be administrated.  There are there basic ways. a) have the ndia do it for you; b)have a organization do it on your behalf or c) manage your own plan.  Within these three main options their are a number of combinations and you need the ndis to explain these.  One thing to note self-management and self-directing are not the same thing.  You may do one and not the other; you may like me do both; The way your plan is administrated has no bearing on other supports.  
5. Have a basic idea of how your service structure will work.  i.e one main provider; self manage with a few providers or use specialized providers.

There is a complete list of ndis approved support providers on their website or you can ask your LAC for a copy.  I pretty much ditched this immediately, I found google a lot more helpful.  If you do nothing else do research what you want from your ndis plan.

  Those who prepare for participating in the ndis are the most satifited with the plans they are given. 

So Google isn't much help. You've drug around the ndis website and your band bossral what's next?

1. Ask for recommendations from other participants.
2. Attend information sessions offered by providers and the ndis.
3. Talk to people who use the same services you; ask how the service provider supports them to achieve their ndis goals and how they feel about the providers knowledge of the ndis what they think about different aspects of the ndis; what other current providers do they use; and have they had discussions with other providers. 
4. Talk to your current provider; tell them what your thinking about your ndis goals; ask them how they would support those goals and also ask any other provider who you talk to about how they will specfically support you to achieve your ndis goals. i.e.  How can you help me with a); b) and c) if there answer is not clear ask other providers.  If the say we can look at individual options, then I suggest go look for a provide you can provide a clear answer; quote  and transition timeline.  If the answer is not clear that provider hasn't got a service delivery plan yet.  Don't live in hope like I did

I am not going to name services because every participant's plan is different and I can think of one or two services that didn't work for me, that have work really well for friends.  A good service provider fit is very much about you goals; the activities you do; the type of services you need and how you administrate your plan.

Me and the ndis

I am a visual artists, small business owner and support the local arts community in Ipswich.   I am also a published author and disability advocate.  My ndis goals are around self-managing, building my own support team (workers) to self-direct; maintaining my independence and growing my business, art practise and art audience.

So you be correct if you think my schedule doesn't fit the model of support offered by traditional providers. However that doesn't mean there  are not ndis service providers out there reinventing the wheel. You've just got to decide what wheel you want to ride.

1. Large scale traditional service providers offering a varied number of services including in-home care; community access; day respite; allied health services; accomondatin support; supports coorindation and plan adminstrations.  Centrecare; Blue Care; cpl (choice; life; passion); Agliacare and Endervor.
2. Medium scale traditional services providers these may offer a few services in a number of areas like individual and group supports in social activities; or accomondation and respite support but not both.
3. There are a few small traditional support services that offer individual supports only.
4. For those who self-manage you do not need to use a registered provider.  For example your local gym my off plates or hydrotheraphy or a local physio.
5. There are providers new to provider services for ndis participants some of these are well establish in their area.  I access my current thearphy through a phsyio activation clinic. 
6. There are services that only offer supports in ndis funds adminstration such as supports coordinations; funds hosting and plan managerment. 
7. If you self-manager who may even chose to directly employ your personal support team.

I self-manage all my supports except my mobility aids through a plan manager.  A plan manager pays invoices and helps with ndis reporting.  I do the budget planning. A plan manager is  not paid to make spending decisions.  Providers are still very nervous about participants ability to make wise decisions even when they run a business.  Administration of my plan would be easier if I could access the information in a user friendly manner.

I selected medium to large service providers to support my plan management; physio; mobility of assessment and in-home and community support needs.  I am definitely a harder marker, and I have ditched all three providers.

Firstly a traditional support provider will always struggle with supporting me with my main ndis goal: To host a solo art exhibition outsider the Ipswich area.  I often have events at night and weekends when less support staff are available.  Larger support providers have a responsibility to provide good working conditions for the staff.  At times this can limit service delivery time, especially when staff take leave.  In choosing a major support provider I was alarmed only half my shifts were being filled, because they need not have enough staff.

Staffing issues were also present a the provider I chose for physio.  Services do not need to tell how many staff the have. My physio had to cover all Ipswich, Boonah and Toowoomba areas.  No way the could assist me with weekly physio.  It is difficult to make choices when providers only give some of the information.

Participants have to prove they have the funds to purchase supports through a service provider; however support services do not need to prove the ability to deliver.  The balance is still tipped in favour of service providers.  Participants need to provide feedback when service delivery is not what is promise.  They also need to give other participants reliable information on their experience with a provider.

I now engage my own support staff through a self-directing service provider.  This allows me to employ staff that are interested in enabling my ndis goals, (enjoy assisting with art and attending art exhibitions). I also make it clear from the outset what hours will be expected.

I also engage staff from a provider who puts staff and participants in contacts with each other and allow them to neogate their terms. All the staff I engage are protected by employment conditions of the provider.  This ensures staff security.

I am still with the physio who assisted me with my wheelchair assessment solo in the hope at some stage my chair will be approved.. This has been a needle point in my ndis experiences.  So many people to contact with to get the information required. My physio is virtually uncontactable.  Unfortunately to change would mean starting from starch.

One of the first support providers you will need to select is the administrator of your plan.  Every participant chooses the own paths and their are to many to cover here.  The three basic choices are ndia; funds host provider or self-management.  Regardless of how your funds are administrated you can still chose your other direct service providers.

One reason the ndis want participants plans to be independent of service providers is to prevent providers from influences other services participants.  This is why service providers must provide a quote.  This makes providers easier to compare.  Services should not be using the excuse that their over stretch and not sure of how this all works. It is the support providers roles to deliver the services they advertise.

Intially I worked very well with my plan manager as we discovered how the ndis system worked together. Basically the function of a plan manage is to make service bookings and pay the participants invoices.  Some participants chose to do this themselves through the ndis portal.

A service booking allocates the percentage of your total budget to a provider who is providing you with support.  For example if Blue Care take you shopping once a week the amount of money is set aside to pay Blue Care.  You will find that figure in your service agreement quote.  This insures the money is their to pay when the invoice is received.  It is not the plan managers role to set the budget or decided how much you can spend on a service.  If you are self-managing that is your responsibility.

Providers even plan manages feel the need to protect  participants from over spending, in this the restrict choice.  My core funding is flexible and yet my plan manager refuses to pay my invoices to ensure I don't go over.  The amount of the invoice for assisted technology was less than 1% of my total budget not sure how that put me at risk and nor is my local area coorindator.  I am hoping things change under my new provider.

I hope in sharing so of the unforeseen  difficulties I had, you can think through questions to ask protental providers.  The more transparent providers list their staff on their websites and their area of interest. The last thing you need is a support worker who can't swim to support you to do lap of a swimming pool.

If a support service coorindator does not know you ndis goals then how can they provide the correct supports.  If they don't ask for your goals I would think about whether you want to sign that service agreement. They have questions for you, you should be able to know "how specifically are they going to support your goal to find voluntary work in a kindergarten? Or help you prepare to participate in a fundraising fun run?" Do the have the staff who have an interest in this area with the right training for your support needs with the availability you require. If the answer is not at this time then that provider is not right to support you with that goal.

You might chose to look for another provider who can support all of your ndis goals or you might stay with them, but look for a provider who can support you with just that particular goals.

Instead of looking for a program you can slot into, look for a provider you can provider what you want.  For those who a self-managing you do not need to use a registered ndis provider,  so you could ask a personal trainer to support you to take part in the fund.


So give a few things a try like I did and if their not working or a service is not keeping to their part of the service agreement then move on a try something else, otherwise service providers are still in control.