In this issue:
· Message from the CEO
· NDIS rebranding update
· Assistant Minister for Social Services meets the Board
· In memory of Lesley Hall
· International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD)
· NDIS webinar – 6 November
· Regional update from Tasmania
· Meet Agency staff
· Regional events
· NDIS News – Have your say
Message from the CEO, David Bowen
Hello,
Welcome once again to our monthly email update about the National Disability Insurance Scheme - NDIS News.
In this edition, you'll notice that we've begun referring to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (or NDIS or Scheme), rather than DisabilityCare Australia. This reflects the new Australian Government's decision to revert to the original name for the NDIS. This is an important development. Among other things it emphasises the insurance principles that are critical to the Scheme's sustainability and success. You can read more about the renaming below.
The rollout of the Scheme continues, with participants making arrangements to meet planners in each of our 2013 launch sites: the Hunter region in NSW, the Barwon region in Victoria, across the whole state in South Australia (for young adults with disability) and Tasmania (for children with disability). Work is also well underway preparing the ground for 2014 launches in the ACT, Northern Territory and Western Australia. We will keep you updated as plans for the 2014 launches are finalised. This will include information sessions in the months ahead for potential participants, families, carers and support providers in each new launch site.
Our work alongside the new Government is now well-established. The Chairman of the NDIA Board, Bruce Bonyhady, and I met with the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield shortly after his appointment, to report on the Scheme's progress. Minister Fifield has extensive experience of the disability portfolio as former Opposition spokesperson. We look forward to developing a positive and constructive relationship with the Minister as we work with him and all the governments of Australia to meet the exciting challenges of rolling out this hugely significant reform that we are all privileged to be part of.
You will see below that Minister Fifield met with the members of the NDIA Board at its most recent meeting in early October. It is very encouraging to establish these contacts and good working relationships now. We all know there is much to do in the years ahead.
Finally, and with deep regret, we include in this newsletter a brief report on the untimely and sudden death of Ms Lesley Hall. Lesley was a friend and advocate of the NDIS; and a champion of the rights and interest of people with disability. Lesley will be missed sorely by all who knew her and we send our condolences to her family.
Best wishes,
David Bowen
Sign up to receive regular updates.
NDIS rebranding update
On 20 September this year our name reverted to the original name used by the Productivity Commission in the report that recommended Australia establish a national disability insurance scheme.
We will be the National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS from this point forward. Sometimes we will simply refer to the NDIS as the Scheme.
The public service organisation that manages and administers the Scheme will be known as the National Disability Insurance Agency or NDIA. Sometimes we will refer to the NDIA as the Agency.
We have already started to apply the new NDIS name to our materials. We will follow a strict no-frills, low-cost and gradual approach to the renaming updates. We have retained the Agency's previous look, feel and colour scheme and will update only the name. Our Facebook page and Twitter accounts were updated at zero cost. And our website and staff email addresses change to the shorter, easier-to-remember names from Monday, 28 October 2013.
All of our current printed materials with the original branding will be used until we run out of stock. Only then will we reprint documents with the new names. The only exceptions to this approach will arise where some printed materials contain inaccurate or out-of-date information (for example, some publications do not include the important fact that the Australian and Western Australia Governments agreed on a NDIS two-year trial in two areas of Perth from 1 July 2014).
Over the months ahead we will progressively return the names in all our public documents to NDIS or NDIA. This will take time to amend every document. Our gradual and low-cost approach to making these changes is deliberate and necessary. We are committed to directing as much staff time and Scheme resources to developing and delivering the NDIS and maximising the benefits of participants' plans. So we will revise documents as we proceed with implementing the NDIS. This prudent approach means you may come across inconsistencies between text references and the logos we use from time to time. We hope you'll appreciate why this is so as we make these changes in the interest of everyone.
Assistant Minister for Social Services meets the NDIA Board
The NDIA Board met with the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, on 2 October 2013 at a Board meeting in Melbourne. Minister Fifield conveyed to the Board his enthusiasm for the NDIS and the Government's commitment to ensuring the Scheme's success.
The Board took the opportunity to thank Minister Fifield for his long-term commitment to the NDIS, and his unwavering support while in Opposition. In recognition of the shared national governance arrangements for the NDIS and the interest that all shareholder governments have in the Scheme, the Chairman and Board members plan to meet with ministers from each of the launch jurisdictions over the coming year.
From left to right: Mr John Hill PSM, Mr Martin Laverty, Assistant Minister Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, Ms Geraldine Harwood, Mr John Walsh AM, Mr Bruce Bonyhady AM (Chairman), Ms Fiona Payne, Mr Glenn Keys, Sir Leo Heilscher AC, Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, Mr David Bowen (NDIA CEO).
In memory of Lesley Hall
It was with very great sadness that we learned of the sudden and untimely death of Ms Lesley Hall, until very recently the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. Throughout her life Lesley was a tireless and effective campaigner for the rights of people with disability in Australia and overseas.
The Chairman of the NDIA Board, Bruce Bonyhady, said Lesley has left an indelible mark on Australia through her leadership of the AFDO, the foundation role she played in establishing the National Disability and Carers Alliance and her advocacy for the NDIS.
"All people with disability, their families and carers, indeed all Australians, owe her a great debt," Mr Bonyhady said.
"She will be greatly missed and on behalf of the NDIA, I would like to extend my condolences to her family."
Lesley's brother, Frank Hall-Bentick, wrote an appreciation of his sister's lifetime commitment to promoting the interests of people with disability. We reproduce it here, in full (with permission):
Vale Lesley Hall 27 November 1954 – 19 October 2013
It is with great sorrow and grief that I write to inform you that my sister Lesley Hall passed away in the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, in Melbourne following a suspected heart attack very late Thursday night 17 October 2013.
Lesley was a feminist and disability advocate with a lifelong disability and has been involved with feminist issues since 1972 and since that time has worked in various jobs empowering low income, indigenous and people with disabilities in housing, accommodation, arts, human rights and disability rights.
Lesley trained and worked as a teacher and has worked in the Australian Public Service and a number of Community Organisations including the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS), the Collective of Self Help Groups and Melbourne Workers Theatre. In 1981 she helped found the Disability Resources Centre and the Women with Disabilities Feminist Collective, she has worked for a number of disability advocacy organisations, including the Disability Resource Centre (DRC), Reinforce, Action for Community Living (ACL) and as a Project Officer with the Disability Section of the UN ESCAP in Bangkok.
In 1985 Lesley was employed by the Disability Resources Centre to investigate and report to the Australian Human Rights Commission on the Rights of Residents in Victorian Institutions. Her report Free from this Place was presented to the AHRC in May 1985.
Lesley has attended numerous International Disability Conferences in Bahamas, Korea, Fiji, South Africa, India, Vanuatu, Geneva and Bangkok.
She has been a board member of DRC, ACL and Victorian Women with Disabilities Network and previously worked as an Arts & Cultural Development Officer at the City of Darebin where she promoted the inclusion of people with disabilities in all their artistic opportunities. She was a member of the Art of Difference 2009 Steering Committee and on the Board of Arts Access. She previously served on the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) disability advisory committee and the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC). She also represented VDAC on the Department of Human Services Industry Advisory Group.
In September 2008 she was employed as the CEO for the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations where she brought her experience, skills and long commitment to human rights for women, people with disabilities and indigenous people to the national and international work of AFDO.
Since joining AFDO Lesley dramatically increased the policy involvement of People with Disabilities in Australian and International Disability issues. Her high level of policy development, organisational skills and ability to empower her team of staff, volunteers and Board members has lifted AFDO's profile to its highest level ever as the peak organisation of people with disabilities. On behalf of AFDO she has represented and involved people with disabilities in the consultation, lobbying and campaign to achieve the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with fantastic success.
Lesley was a truly exceptional woman.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
"Break barriers, open doors: for an inclusive society for all"
It is important that people with disability participate in all areas of life including work, education and in the community.
Through promoting understanding of the barriers experienced by people with disability and encouraging everyone to support equal rights to dignity and wellbeing, IDPwD is an opportunity to celebrate this importance.
Celebrated on 3 December each year, 2013 marks a significant milestone – the 21st anniversary of IDPwD. The theme for 2013 is 'Let's break barriers and open doors!', represented by an orange and turquoise 'twibbon'.
With less than five weeks until IDPwD, have you thought about how you will celebrate?
Celebration of the abilities and achievements of people living with disability could be in the form of either holding or joining an event, during which time it is important to:
· Emphasise the many contributions made by people with disability to Australian society
· Reflect on the barriers experienced by people with disability
· Have fun and enjoy celebrating with, and uniting, disability and community organisations, businesses, governments and the wider community nation and world wide
IDPwD is a United Nations sanctioned International Day and registrations are now open for events to be held. Communities, schools, organisations (public and private) and businesses around the country are being invited to stage their own local events. Registrations received before 10 November 2013 will be sent free merchandise for the event to be held. There is also the choice of listing an event as private or public. Only public events will appear on the Event calendar page.
For more information or to register an event visit www.idpwd.com.au or call 1800 440 385 (TTY users please phone 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 440 385).
First NDIS webinar 'Choice and Control' – 6 November 2013
The inaugural webinar on Choice and Control is fast approaching! The webinar is an interactive online video discussion with a panel of speakers who will be able to respond to your questions. You have the opportunity to participate in the webinar discussion either by sending us a question ahead of time, or on the day.
Our panellists are Catherine Mahoney, Craig Wallace and Moira Byrne-Garton. Each brings unique and personal insight into disability, choice and control. We want to hear about what choice and control means to you - whether you're a person with disability, a carer, an advocate or a support provider.
The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 6 November 2013 from 1-2pm (AEDT). To connect to the webinar, you will need to log on to the Theatre Video Platform to view the event from your computer and we will make these details available as soon as possible. You can use the #NDISwebinar hashtag to send through your questions live. If you would like to submit a question on the topic of choice and control for the webinar via email you can write to us at enquiries@ndis.gov.au or ring on 1800 800 110.
More information about how to connect to the webinar on the day will be made available soon. Please visit our Facebook page and website or you can call us directly on 1800 800 110.
Regional update from Tasmania
The NDIS in Tasmania has three NDIA office locations in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. There are 10 planners and two senior planners that work over the three sites. Planners have brought, and continue to bring, many life experiences and professional knowledge to their relatively new roles.
The positive contribution that planners make to the lives of participants is reflected in a recent experience of one of the planners, who had returned to a family home six weeks after the planning conversation to find the planning work from a previous session still up on the dining room wall, where the family were still adding to it. Experiences like these show that planners not only host the most amazing conversations, but also truly co-author individualised plans with the participant and their family.
Also taking place recently in Tasmania's Hobart office was a highly productive analysis of progress so far across all launch sites involving Launch Managers from Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria (Barwon), as well NDIA managers Margaret Carmody and Mary Hawkins, and Chairman of the NDIA Board, Mr Bruce Bonyhady.
The Tasmanian team also used the opportunity to share information, learnings and insights including:
· an overview of the School to Employment Transition Project currently underway in Tasmania
· the opportunities and challenges of reflections from first quarter and of the Local Area Coordination model in Tasmania
· working with providers, and
· the transitioning of young people leaving the care of the state (prioritised as part of the Tasmanian bilateral agreement).
Meeting in Tasmania with Launch Managers, Margaret Carmody, Mary Hawkins and Mr Bruce Bonyhady to analyse progress and share information.
Meet Agency staff
Rachel Gowland – Planner, Tasmania
What does your role as a planner involve?
Setting up a really clear relationship with participants and families. Educating them about the possibilities and limitations of the Scheme, but more importantly, agreeing how we will work together. It's then about looking at a person's function, and mapping it back to medical/credible evidence that justifies the need for funded supports.
What is it that you most enjoy about your role?
I am enjoying the problem solving and immense diversity this role has, from drawing out planning conversations to crunching numbers on a calculator. For me, there is a good balance of purposeful time spent with participants, and back-of-house work.
How would you describe your approach to working with participants?
My approach is (I hope) a human one. This means displaying warmth, positiveness and an attitude of being here to help. I believe we have confused "being professional" to mean we must be mechanical towards people (as though we are robots) and simply process them. This approach does not work. We are not in a manufacturing business of working with, or producing, lightbulbs!
What are some of the challenges you face in your role?
I am a big-picture person, not small detail. Operating in this legal space requires me to be more detailed and use spell checker a whole lot more!
And overall, how do you think things are going in the Tasmanian launch site?
Tasmania has done so well. The phasing in has been gentle enough for us to learn how to drive this new system. Well done to the management teams for getting this right.
What would you most like to see happen over the coming year?
In 2014, I'd like the NDIA to have established a credible reputation in Australia and have won public trust. This will involve NDIA becoming a predictable and safe space for people to be in. I would like for all Australians to believe we are here to be helpful, not harmful.
Regional events
New South Wales
Jodie Calvert, Director of Engagement in NSW, has appeared as guest speaker at a couple of events this month.
On October 10, Jodie spoke at the Educare 2013 Carer's Expo where she gave a presentation on the "Overview of the NDIS in the Hunter".
The expo provided a variety of resources and information to:
· Aid and support carers in their caring role.
· Provide professionals with a range of information to assist them in their roles of supporting carers.
· Provide an opportunity to network and promote carers week activities.
On 22 October, the Newcastle Lake Macquarie carer's network hosted a presentation, where Jodie provided an "update on the NDIS in the NSW launch site". The audience members included people who will be supporting participants to transition to the Scheme under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
South Australia
The team in South Australia will be holding a number of community events over the coming month. These events include:
Wednesday, 6 November
· Families, Carers, Parents and Children's Information Session, Strathalbyn, 10am – 12pm
· Service Providers' Information Session, Port Pirie, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
At each of these community events there will be detailed information about the NDIS, the opportunity to meet local NDIA staff from South Australia, and the opportunity to learn about becoming involved with the Scheme as well as to ask any questions.
The events are listed on the "Upcoming events" section of the NDIA website www.disabilitycareaustralia.gov.au/news/upcoming-events
NDIS News – Have your say
With the release of Issue 4 of NDIS News, we would like to invite you, our subscribers, to let us know what you think of NDIS News.
In particular, we are interested in hearing why or why not NDIS News meets your expectations. Does it include items of interest to you? Is there something you would like to see more or less of?
Please send any constructive feedback you may wish to provide, including suggestions for improvement, to engagement@ndis.gov.au
No comments:
Post a Comment