Trials, triumph and tips for NDIS

Jen Tait believes the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will dramatically improve the life of her son Alec, who has autism, along with thousands of other children and adults living with disabilities on the Border.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing – we just need to get through the teething problems,” she said.

Intereach will deliver the NDIS for the Murrumbidgee region (7-65 years) while Aspire Support Services is a transitional partner for early childhood (0-6 years).

Intereach did not respond to The Border Mail’s requests for comment for this article but a spokeswoman addressed parents at an information evening on August 15.

The representative told those gathered that by July 1, 2018, at least 141,000 people in NSW would be on the NDIS.

She added that by July 2019, more than 460,000 people would be on the scheme nationally but given there were 4.3 million people with a disability in Australia, admitted that “leaves a bit of a gap”.

Ms Tait has experienced the lead-up to the NDIS both personally and through assisting others.

“It’s great for families, it’s just challenging getting there,” she said.

“A lot of people are still trying to get their head around what NDIS means for them.”

A National Disability Insurance Agency spokeswoman said it would take 12 months from the start of the roll out in Albury on July 1, 2017 for everyone to enter the scheme.

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Those in Victoria’s Ovens Murray area can expect an NDIS rollout from October 1. 

The spokeswoman said the agency was working with people involved to resolve issues in the transition.

Ms Tait said people had mixed experiences locally.

“Some people have had great experiences coming out of planning; for others the plan hasn’t even gone close to meeting what they receive currently,” she said.

“Like any system there are things to smooth out but for the most part it’s positive – people are finally being heard.”