Since its rollout in 2016, the NDIS has helped almost a hundred and fifty thousand people.
Matt Wright is the NDIS Branch Manager of Engagement and Inclusion.
“The aim of the scheme is for people with a disability to live an ordinary life like any other citizen and that’s a life as part of the community.”
He explains that to be eligible for the NDIS, people need to fulfil a few criteria.
“You must be under 65 years of age, you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent visa holder, with a permanent and significant disability as well. So for example, a refugee visa subclass 200 is accepted as a permanent visa. And in relation to a person's disability, it needs to be permanent or considered permanent. ”
If you think you might be eligible, you can get in touch through the NDIS website, www.ndis.gov.au or by phone on 1800 800 110.
Settlement Services International offers a program called FutureAbility, which assists multicultural organisations and community groups working with the NDIS.
FutureAbility program manager Georgia Zogalis says many people who receive a disability pension think they will lose it if they get on the NDIS. But that’s a misconception.
“It's important for CALD communities to know that the package that gets approved for their disability needs, the money that comes with the package, is in addition to the disability pension so if they're already receiving a disability pension, the NDIS will not stop that, they will get both. The pension is for day to day living and the NDIS package is to help them for the areas of needs that relate to their disability.”
The NDIS can be complex to navigate, especially if your first language is not English.
The NDIS has resources translated in several languages.
Zogalis also says you can get an interpreter, for free, to help you.
While around 20% of the people eligible for the NDIS are from CALD backgrounds, data shows that they account for only 7.2% of people with an NDIS plan.
Dwayne Cranfield is the CEO of the National Ethnic Disability Alliance, NEDA, an organisation advocating for the rights of people with a disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
His organisation has been working with the NDIS to reach more people.
To get more information about the NDIS, visit the website www.ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110. If you need an interpreter call TIS first at 13 14 50.
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Settlement Guide: NDIS
