NDIS WA
NDIS WA – In Western Australia there are several services which are dedicated to supporting people a with disability including the:
- National Disability Insurance Service (NDIS)
- WA National Disability Insurance Service (WA NDIS)
- Disability Services through the Disability Services Commission of WA (DSC)
In different WA regions, services formerly run by the Disability Services Commission have now been opened up to trial two separate models run side by side in order to find the best possible way of supporting people who have a disability.
NDIS Trial Models
The two trial models currently being run in WA (2016) are the
- WA National Disability Insurance Scheme (WA NDIS)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The Disability Services Commission continue to run services in areas that are not located within the NDIS and WA NDIS trial sites.
Although the NDIS and WA NDIS models are different, they are all based around the 6 national standards to ensure that people with a disability receive good quality services. These standards include the right to:
- be treated fairly when using a service
- take part in the community and feel included when using a service
- make choices about what you want and get support from the service to work towards your goals
- give feedback and voice complaints about the received services
- be with a service that is well managed
Disability Services
The Disability Services Commission is the State Government agency responsible for policy, program development and service planning in all areas that affect the rights and needs of Western Australians with disabilities. Services include:
- family and individual support
- respite support for carers
- accommodation and community based support
- therapy services
- post-school skills and vocational development
- services coordination
- aids and equipment
- resources for creating an accessible community
Services are provided by the Disability Services Commission or by non-government agencies funded by the Commission.
The Disability Services Commission has several purposes including direct service delivery coupled with progressive improvements to social and community inclusion.
WA NDIS
The WA National Disability Insurance Scheme (WA NDIS) is a trial run by the Disability Services Commission and is the WA state government’s model of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The WA NDIS is a way of working with people who have a disability that supports them to:
- identify their strengths and needs, plus any goals or aspirations they would like to start working towards, and capture these elements in their WA NDIS plan
- explore pathways and strategies to reach the goals outlined in their plan
- choose the supports and services that best suit their needs
- develop stronger links with their local community
- build on natural supports such as friendships, neighbours and local community groups
WA NDIS is nationally consistent in terms of eligibility, reasonable and necessary supports and portability across the country, yet unique in governance and service delivery.
It is a highly personalised, local, relationship based model of service delivery focused on enabling individuals to plan for their current and future needs.
Since 2014, the WA NDIS has been operating in the Lower South West. WA NDIS was expanded in to the Cockburn-Kwinana local government areas in 2015. From 1 October 2016 the WA NDIS trial will expand into the local government areas of Armadale, Murray and Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a trial run by the federal government and is operating the National Disability Insurance Agency NDIS model.
The NDIS will provide all Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life. Supports may include:
- personal care and support
- access to the community
- therapy services
- employment services
- essential equipment
The National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) Perth Hills trial site opened on 1 July 2014 for people with disability aged up to 65 living in the local government areas of Swan, Kalamunda and Mundaring.
The trial area is being expanded from 1 January 2017 to the local government areas of Bayswater, Bassendean, Chittering, Toodyay, York and Northam. The trial area will cover more than 1200 people by 30 June 2017.
On 28 April 2016, the Commonwealth Government announced the trial site would be extended by 12 months to 30 June 2017. This is to ensure people with a disability continue to receive supports while a full scheme approach is finalised in WA.
How to find a disability service provider
It is not always easy to know where to look or which agency to contact to find the right service provider for your needs.
The government of Western Australia and the Disability Services Commission have put together a list of service providers by region. Click here to get to the page: https://www.disability.wa.gov.au/individuals-families-and-carers/for-individuals-families-and-carers/services-supports-and-eligibility-new/services/directory-of-service-providers-/region/
Vision Counselling and Psychology is disability service provider in Perth for the NDIS and WA NDIS delivering therapy supports. Therapy supports include counselling and psychology. Please contact us for further information on NDIS WA, disability services and support to find the right agency or provider.
