Organisations representing disability service providers, NDIS support coordinators and allied health providers have joined together to launch a national campaign to secure the future of services for people with disability and create a better NDIS.
The organisations are launching a joint campaign website 4abetterNDIS.com.au where people concerned about the future of disability services can take action, have their say and send a letter to the federal government and their local MP asking for a commitment to addressing the current crisis in funding for disability services.
Providers of quality disability services are already reaching breaking point. Recent surveys by National Disability Services and Disability Intermediaries Australia found that 75 per cent of providers are considering stopping some or all of their disability services because of the price limits that came in on 1 July.
"We need the Government to drastically improve management of the NDIS, and act urgently to deliver fair, transparent and sustainable pricing", said Mr Jess Harper, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Intermediaries Australia.
"The NDIA's Pricing decision is simply indefensible. Keeping price limits fixed for half a decade despite inflation, award wage increases, and operating cost pressures is irresponsible and reckless. This pricing decision has already resulted in the closures of safe, quality, and skilled service providers with more to come," Mr Harper said.
The #4aBetterNDIS website will be supported by activity across social media as organisations spread the word about the impact of the market failure that is taking place in the NDIS.
"We know that closure of services will most affect participants with high and complex support needs - because it is more costly to deliver those services. These are the very people that the NDIS was set up to support," said Emily Forest, Interim CEO of National Disability Services.
Karenza Louis-Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Ermha365 and CEO Collab spokesperson said "High-intensity supports help NDIS participants with challenging behaviours manage their needs, avoid crises, and live fulfilling lives. Taking these supports away suddenly, without any warning, puts their safety and well-being at risk"
Allied Health Professions Australia CEO Bronwyn Morris-Donovan said "After five years of not even so much as indexation of NDIS therapy support and orthotic/prosthetic service pricing against inflation, our sector has reached breaking point."
'The lack of pricing increase not only undermines the ability of allied health professionals to provide services to NDIS participants, but compromises allied health workforce availability, further restricting consumer access to services already under immense strain. It is time to implement a sustainable solution that puts consumers first and eases the burden on service providers.'
Now is the time to speak up and be heard. Without action, disability service providers will be forced to continue reconsidering their professional futures and service provision under the NDIS, with devastating impact on the people with disabilities who rely on them.
