The Federal Minister for the NDIS has announced a review into the NDIS, which will report back in October.
United Voice members welcome the review, but are concerned that the Federal Government is not addressing issues of access to funding for NDIS participants.
United Voice SA Acting Branch Secretary David Gray said,
"United Voice welcomes the announcement of a review into the NDIS, but this review does not go far enough in ensuring access to funding for people with disabilities.
"Staffing caps introduced by the Federal Government mean there are not enough workers to process applications and requests. This has led to unacceptably long wait times for participants.
"Many NDIS participants are waiting up to two years for essential equipment items. When a participant requests a review of a funding decision in their plan, it can take up to 16 months for the NDIS to respond.
"It's not good enough. Under the current system, many NDIS participants are struggling to access basic services like transport. This review also needs to address the insufficient NDIS funding from the Federal Government.
"United Voice members strive to provide the best support possible to people living with disabilities, but workers and participants can sometimes be frustrated by wait times and bureaucratic processes.
"The Government has pledged that their election promise of a Participant Service Guarantee will take effect from July 2020. That is too long. People living with disabilities need these issues resolved, not to wait another year."
Susan is a Disability Support Worker in South Australia.
"The NDIS is a complex system that is not delivering enough funding for people with disabilities.
"Participants without family members to advocate for them are particularly disadvantaged in accessing funding. The annual review process can result in big fluctuations in funding, which can have huge impacts on people, especially those living in supported accommodation.
"For workers, the NDIS has resulted in increased casualisation and shorter shifts. Many qualified and committed staff members have left the sector and this is decreasing the skill level in the sector.
"The NDIS is not being run with compassion and care for people with disabilities: it's all about the bottom line."
United Voice represents thousands of South Australians who work in disability support services, hospitals, cleaning, hospitality, aged care and security.
