Hi Supporter, 

Just in case you missed it last week!

The Minister for the NDIS Stuart Robert is making the biggest changes to the scheme since it began in 2013.

But it is being done in a big rush – and without talking to people with disability and their families.

So we think it is time the Minister answered everyone’s questions about the introduction of assessments to the NDIS. Particularly why it is being done in such a big hurry.

You can see more detail in our email last week, which is below.

Please take the time to have your say – this is too important to miss.

Kirsten and the Every Australian Counts team

We need your help! The Minister for the NDIS Stuart Robert is rushing through huge changes to NDIS assessments. And without talking to people with disability and their families first. So will you ask him six simple questions about what the changes actually mean for everyone?

From next year the Minister plans to introduce “independent assessments” to the NDIS – not just for people wanting to apply for the scheme, but also for people with disability who are already NDIS participants. You can read more about the assessments here.

So many people have told us how worried they are by these changes.

We’re really worried that these new assessments will add yet another layer of stress and red tape for participants and their families.

And we’re concerned that the assessors will just use a “tick a box” system that won’t take into account individual circumstances. 

We also all need to know this is not a sneaky way to limit access to the scheme and save the government money.

Which is why we need your help!

Will you email Minister Robert and ask him to answer these questions?

1. Will the assessments paid for by the NDIS be the only thing that determines eligibility for the NDIS? What if people have other assessments and evidence? How will they be used?
    
2. Will the assessments paid for the NDIS be the only thing to determine your plan and your funding? How will your individual circumstances be captured? What will happen if you have more than one disability?
    
3. What consultation did you do with people with disability and their families before deciding to introduce this? 
    
4. Why won’t you release the results of the pilot?
    
5. Why is this being rushed through? Why have you ignored the recommendations of the Tune Review? Why won’t you pause this process and consult properly with people with disability and their families?
    
6. How can our community be assured this is not simply a cost cutting exercise to reduce access to the scheme? And reduce support for existing NDIS participants? What guarantee will you give that people will not be worse off?
    

You can also ask him directly via his Facebook and Twitter.

We all know that NDIS planning definitely needs improving.

But information from the Minister about the changes so far just doesn’t make sense. We need him to come clean, and we need him to explain the rush.

And we need straight answers - not spin!

We will be back in touch soon with more. In the meantime please share and help us get the word out.

This change is too important for everyone not to have their say.

Kirsten and the Every Australian Counts team