Disability Support Coordinator Vs Disability Advocate

 So I am sharing this post to give you a bit of information between the two roles and share why I chose advocacy rather then the support coordinator role for now anyway but never say never there is plenty of opportunity out there.

A support coordinator is not an independent advocate. In line with the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth), an independent advocate cannot be:

• A staff member of the NDIA
• A staff member of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
• A registered or unregistered NDIS provider, including support coordinators.

Support coordinators should help participants engage with community and other government services. 

However a participant’s support coordinator should not be acting as their formal advocate. A support coordinator’s role is to refer and connect a participant to advocacy services where necessary. 

Some questions which might help identify when a support coordinator might be moving into the role of an advocate include:

• Have I done all I can to help the participant make their needs clear to the provider, worker or government system through the established processes?
• Is the participant entering into a dispute, especially where there is legal involvement or escalation to administrative appeals?
• Have I fallen into dispute in a way that undermines my role and effectiveness as a support coordinator?
• Does my involvement in an NDIS review process create a conflict of interest, especially if I am requesting more support coordination funding at the participant’s plan reassessment?
• Is the level of complexity or time required to adequately represent the person beyond the level of support allocated to support coordination?
• Is the level of representation required beyond my skills and capacity, and the participant would benefit from an experienced advocate?
• Is there an appropriate formal advocacy service to refer the participant to?

If the answer to some of these questions is ‘yes’, then a support coordinator should consider whether their participant might benefit from formal advocacy and assist them to find a suitable advocacy service. 

The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP

 supports people with disability to access effective advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in our communities.

How a Disability Advocate can help

 Read the disability advocacy for individuals fact sheet to learn more about how an advocate can assist people with disability. 

An advocate can provide information, help an individual explore their options and work through issues, and make informed decisions. Through NDAP, an advocate can assist individuals to: 

• understand and exercise their rights 
• self-advocate, wherever possible 
• identify and address situations of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation 
• make a complaint 
• understand and/or access the NDIS, Centrelink and other government services 
• find and use community services, including legal services 
• request extra support (such as reasonable adjustments) at school or work. 

I have gone down the advocate path for now to follow my journey and how I gained help when I needed it and I hope to use my experiences to help and advocate for others I still need on going permanent help due to my permanent disabilities but the more I can share my knowledge and help others gain the support they need and are entitled to I feel empowered and inspired by their strength wanting to seek support too.

Services for specific needs and/or backgrounds  

Some NDAP organisations provide support for specific needs and/or backgrounds, including people: 

• with a specific type of disability (for example intellectual disability) 
• seeking help for a specific issue (for example housing, education or employment) 
• from a culturally and linguistically diverse background 
• who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

We also fund the NDIS Appeals Program to provide advocacy support for individuals affected by reviewable decisions of the National Disability Insurance Agency. Learn more about the NDIS Appeals Program. 

The Disability Advocacy Support Helpline provides phone-based disability advocacy support wherever you live in Australia. Based on your individual needs, the Helpline may refer you to other supports in your local area. 

To request disability advocacy support through the Helpline, contact the Disability Gateway: 

• Phone 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm 
• Fill out the Contact us form. 

Visit our resources page for information about the Helpline in accessible Easy Read, Auslan and languages other than English. 

NDAP providers are available in every state and territory. 

Visit Ask Izzy - Disability Advocacy Finder to find a Disability Advocate provider in your area. 

Find an NDAP provider in your state and territory below. 

For information about the services they provide, their service coverage area and contact details, please go directly to the provider.  

Reference

https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-advocacy/national-disability-advocacy-program#how-a-disability-advocate-can-help

Why do I do the markets - mental health

 I decided to take on the markets to full fill a creative side since my stroke. It’s not easy never will be sometimes I’ll forget things when I have to pack the car with support workers sometimes it will be a different support worker change is sometimes hard for me to deal with but the markets is a source of community involvement and building confidence for myself not every market will be a success some more then others but I cannot do any without the help of my support workers.

Another factor I take into consideration with markets being a disability participant is weather that can be a lack of motivation for me and my anxiety may increase more wet weather as a passenger so lil drives here and there help with a break in between is perfect.

Routine is something else i don’t deal with well if there is change at rhe last minite because in my mind I have it set what’s going to happen then it changes my anxiety increases having support does help the situation..

So this is a brief insight why I do the markets now also  on the social side of things when my anxiety rises I don’t know when I might have a seizure I know there is people around but it’s still on the back of my mind what if I’m ignored but at lest there is people around is my thinking social rather being stuck at home should I have to be.

Also now I’d love to share a cuppa or two with a support worker who loves to craft and makes mugs and designs with me sometimes it is a bit lonely creating on my own. But I’ll be starting to bring some craft with me to markets and do some cards on the spot in company.

So as you can see it has its ups and downs doing markets for myself but very beneficial in many ways with the right support and I appreciate every support that comes along for the journey with me

NDIS the starting point

 Many of you might think is it really worth all this trouble getting on the NDIS after getting a first glimpse of the application form and process. My answer absolutely!! it might not be the first time round or second time or as it was in my instance about the third time round.  Just don't give up because when they see when you really need it and keep pushing you will be surprised how much you really do need the support after this long.

So where do we find the application

Click on the NDIS access Application Form or call or call 1800 800 110 and ask for the access form

We’ve been working on how we can improve the way we deliver the NDIS. We’ve spent time talking to participants, our staff, NDIS partners, providers and the disability community to work out the ways we can improve the experience people have with the Scheme. 

Learn more on the new improvements websit .   

If you think you are eligible for the NDIS, you can: 

• contact your local NDIS Office or local NDIS partner or call 1800 800 110 and ask for an NDIS Access Request Form (PDF 1MB) to be mailed or emailed to you. 
• download and complete the NDIS Access Request Form (PDF 1MB) on your computer and email it to enquiries@ndis.gov.au with supporting information. 
• download the NDIS Access Request Form (PDF 1MB) on your computer, print it out, and mail it to PO Box 700, Canberra, ACT 2601 with supporting information. 
• phone the NDIS on 1800 800 110 to be supported to apply to the NDIS.

Find out how long this takes in our Participant Service Guarantee. 

In some areas, we don’t have partners. In non-partner areas we recommend you contact us on 1800 800 110 to be supported to apply to the NDIS.  

The NDIS is just one service system for Australians with disability, developmental delay or developmental concerns.   

The disability supports provided through the NDIS complement, but don’t replace, mainstream or community services provided by other service systems in the general community, such as education, health, mental health services and community groups.    

Our NDIS partners can help people and families learn about and access the supports available in their communit and supports available through the NDIS.   

Reference; https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply

Some of my helpful hints from personal experience when I first started my application are;

- Gather all of your medical reports from the past 3-5 years regarding your permanent disability including a letter from all specialists involved stating that your condition is permanent and won't change

- Even if you have to do the whole process again for the second time get them to write a follow up letter saying that nothing has changed and nothing will

-keep all records of blood tests, visits to GP how often you go if you needed support eg Taxi and transport, how often you have had falls if any document time, dates everything, if diabetic, make sure you keep a full record

-If you struggle in the kitchen with meals note it what you struggle with what you need help with anything around the house make note of it from day one.

Speak to a social worker from a charity organization who can possibly help you with your application and free home visits with meals etc in the mean time until your process is approved, speak to out patient services to see what they can offer, speak to an NDIS advocate anytime.

I hope this has helped you to start the process, remember there has been a few bad eggs in the NDIS don't let them discourage your disability journey.

CEO Statement - Getting the NDIS Back on Track Bill

 22 August 2024

Today, 22 August 2024, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 was passed by the Parliament.

The Bill provides the framework to deliver on the NDIS Review’s vision to restore the NDIS to its original intent and deliver better outcomes for Australians with permanent and significant disability within a broader ecosystem of supports.

Some of these changes will take time to develop together with people with disability but, once implemented, participants will experience the benefits.

The task ahead for the Agency is to now deliver these reforms in partnership with people with disability.

It is absolutely essential people with disability continue to have a voice in how the detailed design is done and how these changes are implemented. And it’s my commitment they will.

The NDIA has been delivering reform in partnership with people with disability and the disability community over the past two years and co-design will continue to form the cornerstone of implementing change as we move forward.

This includes a long-term program of work alongside people with disability on:

• assessment and budgeting reforms
• functions of new navigator role
• changes to the way plan management services are delivered
• a range of integrity improvements
• design of the new psychosocial early intervention service.

Importantly, in addition to NDIS participants, the Independent Advisory Council, industry experts, the NDIA and other Government agencies, each co-design reference group will have dedicated representation from Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCOs).

These organisations collectively represent thousands of people with disability and their families.

This work will also happen in partnership with state and territory governments.

Their commitment to co-stewardship of the NDIS will further strengthen our partnership, and ensure they remain a critical part of co-designing reforms that will protect the sustainability of the NDIS while ensuring a better disability support system for hundreds of thousands of Australians.

This Bill has not come into effect yet, so there is not any immediate change.

The passing of the Bill means there will be changes in the coming weeks once the laws come into effect. Until then:

• all access and planning processes, decisions and supports will continue in line with current operational guidance.
• participants should continue spending in accordance with their plans and existing policy guidance.
• providers should continue to claim for supports in line with current operational guidance.

I want to acknowledge that many participants may be uncertain about change.

The NDIA will work continue to work with you and share information in the coming weeks to:

• explain what specific changes mean for you
• explain when the changes will impact you
• explain what you need to do to get ready for the changes
• support you if you need help with the changes
• give you opportunities to play a role in developing the detail and in implementing the changes.

Future changes will be supported with transparency and communication. And not all change will happen at once.

There is much work to be done – and participants and the disability community will shape and guide how we change into action.

We will use co-design to amplify the voices of people with disability – to ensure we get these improvements right.