NDIS - What's the fussy about goals?

As I understand it, the key goal of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is to enable people with disabilities and their families to more fully participate in the life of their community.

Funding will be tried to what you what to achieve, rather than what you can't do.  I mean, not being able to kick a ball, might be irrelevant if you want to train as a graphic artist.

Trouble is when we talk about goals - we tend to think of really big things like Studying at University or running from Cairns to Brisbane. My hunch is even though you think you don't have goals you do.  They may not be as grand as building a new house, but they are still important and as long as the their your own goals.  Then their the right goals for you.  Than is the most Import thing to understand.

No one has ever asked about my goals before?

That's ok, now the NDIA wants to know your goals, so if your being supported to play soccer and you don't want to play soccer the it's redictious to pay someone to help you play soccer.  All the NDIA wants to enable you to do to match the things you want to do with the support you need.

So if you're finding it hard to think about your choices and changes to your support under the NDIS then think about the types of activities you and your family do now.  Do you like what you're doing or do you think you'd like a change?

If you're a bit confused right now or

you're NDIS plan looks a bit messy that's ok.

My advice is to take one step at a time!

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, the NDIS will have no in pact on my goals at all.  I already have great goals.  What would like to change is how I am supported to achieve my goals. So if like me you like what your currently doing, do you not need to change you goals, you just, need to communicate what that is. If that is:-

• Continuing to live independently with in home support and personal care.
• To finish you TAFE course.
• And play for the ALARA Jetz

Then that's the information the NDIA needs to hear from you. These are your goals and they are great goals.

I would suggest when you're writing you goals you think about every area you of your life may need help with. That doesn't mean you need and will receive help through the NDIS, but it starts to give the NDIA the whole picture.

Goals to include:-

• Living arrangements
• Medical needs including mobility equiptment
• Health & fitness
• Study & work (including voluntary work)
• Sport & Leisure,

The NDIA will want to know what is the most important thing for you.  For me it is to maintain my independence and have support staff to support me live safety.  For you the most important thing might be football training and eating well.

You might like to own a small dog, but playing football is more important.  If the NDIA can't give you every thing you want, make sure you get the essentials.

If making art is important to you, and you need support to do that, Then make sure you tell the NDIA and they fully understand what that involves.

So there you go! Setting goals is just about knowing what you want.  And if that is just getting out of bed 7 days a week that's ok.  But wanting a bit more is ok too.