On Friday 22 November the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) released new information on Short Term Accommodation (STA) and Respite. The NDIA's information provides a broad overview of eligibility for STA and Respite and exclusions with further detail to be provided when the Agency's operational guidelines are released in December.
The NDIA has stated that STA and Respite will be available to participants and informal supports but will not apply to those in Supported Independent Living (SIL) or living alone. Other restrictions on STA Funding mean transport to and from STA cannot be covered by this budget and it cannot be used for holidays and tourist travel.
PWDA is concerned that these changes will reduce the flexibility and choice and control of participants over how they participate in their communities and achieve their goals.
PWDA Board Director Daniel Flynn emphasised the obligation of the NDIA to uphold the rights of people with disability to participate in their communities.
"PWDA is concerned about uncertainty in funding decisions and subsequent harm to participants while the sector awaits the release of the operational guidelines.
"Respite has historically offered individuals with high support needs the opportunity to engage with their communities, develop new skills, and have meaningful experiences outside of their usual environments - it's been a lifechanging and lifesaving support," Flynn said.
PWDA is seeking clarification on how participants can utilise STA and Respite and have access to support workers when travelling or away from home, especially for those without informal supports.
Ahead of the release of the operational guidelines, PWDA will continue advocating for participants to be able to access their community in the same way that people without disability are able to.
"These changes reference travel but don't reflect that people with disability require support workers to come with them if they need to go somewhere for social engagement and growth, in ways people without disability don't.
"PWDA is deeply concerned by the narrowing of avenues for participants to be able to access supports and navigate their communities. The presumption that there is accessible transportation options available to all participants or they have the financial means to pay for support workers who provide essential assistance for daily living and community engagement could restrict people with disability to their homes and limit their ability to achieve their goals. This could be amplified for people who Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or living in rural and remote areas," Flynn said.
PWDA Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith has called out the narrow approach to what activities can be funded by the NDIS.
"For people with disability many of us need external supports to be able to safely engage in social activities that everyone else has access to. PWDA is concerned the NDIA's rules and guidelines are increasingly limiting our ability to participate in the community by pushing a narrative they'll only fund a narrowly defined range of activities they've decided support our learning, growth and change. We will continue advocating for our rights, independence and lives," Spindler-Smith said.
