The Decision Support Pilot Program is a free advocacy program which provides decision-making assistance for potential and current participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The advocate is able to assist clients to interact with the NDIS throughout the access, planning and early implementation stages.
This program is tailored to those aged 18–65 with cognitive impairments such as an acquired brain injury, intellectual or a psychosocial disability. It was designed for individuals who do not have family or other informal supports to assist with the decision-making process.
This year, the program supported a total of 50 individuals.
The challenges commonly faced by our participants included:
- Difficulty gathering up-to-date medical evidence for a NDIS application given the recent closure of a free disability assessment clinic in Adelaide;
- Resistance and lack of understanding from mainstream health providers regarding NDIS processes and providing evidence necessary to facilitate access to the scheme;
- Problems remembering information or following up on tasks;
- Confusion in understanding complex NDIS processes, policies, and systems; and
- Barriers to engagement including homelessness and drug and alcohol misuse.
Despite the challenges faced by our participants, many have accessed the scheme and received significant funding in their NDIS plans. This year, the largest budget allocated to a decision support participant totaled $228,594 over two years. Prior to engaging with the pilot, many of our clients have been out of touch with services and living without support for their disability for many years. The decision support pilot program has successfully assisted participants obtain evidence of their disability, understand information related to the NDIS and the options available to them. This has provided our clients with the tools to make important decisions and gain access to much needed services and supports that improve the lives of people with disability.
