Independent Assessments – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The independent assessments are now on hold, on 15th April `21, Linda Reynolds (newly appointed Minister for the NDIS) was quoted as saying in the media “Independent Assessments will not be implemented until feedback from the current trials has been assessed, and further consultation across the sector has taken place.”

There has been an overwhelming amount of push back, which for now, has been heard. It appears the process was a little “shoot from the hip” and amongst all of the chaos resulting from a Covid 19 to Covid 20 period there just wasn`t an opportunity for discussion on the proposal from the people that count – the people with disabilities. The lobbying against the current proposals has come from hundreds of stakeholders and from a good cross section. The National Disability Standards and Every Australian Counts joined, and you can view their proposals in the following link.

Independent Assessments are on hold

The first reaction to the Independent Assessments was understandably one of concern and of cynicism. A large proportion of people said, the NDIS were making these proposals to make the process more complicated and to create more barriers for people to receive the correct funding that meets their needs for reasonable and necessary supports. There was also concern around the fact that people wouldn`t be able to submit reports from their existing GPs, therapists and supports which just didn`t seem smart. If we are truly looking to do the best for the people that the scheme supports, why wouldn`t we take advice from trusted sources that have a historical relationship with the person? These are all truly relevant questions and ones that will need to be addressed by the NDIS who need to revise their planning and their “pitch” for people to see the extended value in what they are suggesting.

The NDIS update is available on the link below.

Independent assessments | NDIS

For now, its on hold. Our ten cents are that it has a long way to go before it can be accepted and there needs to be some middle ground with regards to the NDIDS seeking and receiving advice from trusted professionals who have worked with people with disabilities for long periods of time.