Welcome to our Participant First Engagement Initiative newsletter.
In this newsletter we have an opportunity for families of children who are blind or low vision. We also have an update on the new computer system and processes we are introducing, to help improve the experience people have with the Scheme.
Participant First members have told us the green expression of interest link for our feedback opportunities is not accessible for everyone who uses assistive technology. We have now changed how the expression of interest link looks at the bottom of each feedback opportunity. We have removed the green highlighted area and added an 'How to express interest' section, with a clear link included.
Thank you for your ongoing support for the Participant First Engagement Initiative.
Take care.
Participant First Team
(Angela, Annabelle, Belinda, Debbie and Nina)
Opportunity 1: GUS for children who are blind or have low vision
Expressions of interest close Sunday, 20 August 2023
Focus group purpose
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is developing information guides that include the best available research evidence for NDIS participants, families and carers. We are calling these Guides for understanding supports (GUS). We work with participants, NDIA staff and the disability sector, to make sure that these resources benefit NDIS participants.
We are drafting a series of 'Guides for understanding supports for children who are blind or low vision'.
Early Interventions can be used to support different outcomes and goals. For these Guides we are focusing on:
Developing your child's skills
Supporting your child's social-emotional wellbeing
Developing your family's knowledge and skills
We would like to speak to families of children who are blind or have low vision (aged 0 to 14 years). We want to hear about your child's experiences using early interventions and ask families to reflect on their support needs and whether the Guides provide clear information about available supports.
When
Thursday, 31 August 2023
Time
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
All times are listed in AEST (Sydney time). Please check the local time for your area.
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.
We are introducing a new computer system and processes as part of our commitment to improve the way the Scheme is being delivered.
In November 2022, we started to test our new computer system in Tasmania.
The new system will make it easier for the NDIA to support participants by:
Allowing participants to develop their plan with an NDIA planner
Providing participants with a dedicated my NDIS contact who can help them get the most out of their plan including:
supporting participants to tell their story once
helping people and families seeking support to connect with an NDIS partner in the community.
Following extensive testing in Tasmania, we plan to introduce our new computer system and processes across Australia gradually from 30 October 2023, subject to a final assessment.
We will take a careful approach to introducing the new system to make sure everything goes smoothly. We expect the roll out to take up to 18 months.
There is nothing for participants and their families to do right now, we will provide you with further support as you prepare for your next plan reassessment.
We want to thank our Participant First members who have been involved in testing how we communicate about our new system and process. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us plan for, and get everything ready, to use our new system and processes.
Accessing an Early Childhood Education and Care service
In July 2023 we held two focus groups to hear feedback about Accessing an Early Childhood Education and Care service. During the focus groups we talked about two documents to help families choose an early childhood education and care service that would best suit their needs.
During the focus groups we heard:
The resources will be helpful for families to share information about their child, when starting at childcare.
Resources need to be fillable and accessible.
Resources should be available in other languages.
Formatting and design suggestions that would work for families and early childhood education and care services.
Families want clear information on inclusion supports and who is responsible for providing them.
Make the content accessible via the NDIS website.
We are now making changes to the look and feel of the documents. Thank you to all Participant First members who took part in these focus groups and provided such valuable feedback.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has rolled out its Workforce Capability Framework and tools, after final testing and feedback.
The framework can help providers, participants and workers to improve workforce quality by using a shared language of 'what good looks like' for participants.
It describes the behaviour, skills and knowledge workers and providers should show to deliver support in line with the NDIS Code of Conduct and Practice Standards.
The tools support recruitment, workforce management, career options, training and supervision for our providers and participants.
The framework is interactive. It includes:
Online tools, guides and printable templates you can download
Easy Reads, factsheets, animation explainers and other key resources
We only need you to send your information form once, and nothing else.
If you need help with the form, or you have any questions, please email us or call or text us on 0436 649 469 or 0439 406 141.
Friendly reminder:
When completing the Participant First information form please make sure you press the Submit Button once only to end the session.
A box will appear at the top of the screen with Submission Completed. If you press the Submit Form a second time it will create an error message, however your form has been completed and you can now close your browser.
Invite a family member, carer or friend
If you know anyone you think might be interested in taking part in any of the opportunities or joining the Participant First Engagement Initiative, please let them know they can do so by completing the Participant First Information form (opens in new window).
General feedback and enquiries
We know sometimes you may have important general feedback or enquiries about the NDIS which does not relate to the Participant First Engagement Initiative. We'd like to remind you that you are able to submit your queries to the email addresses below: