The Australian Government is undertaking significant reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including changes to how people access the Scheme, how supports are planned and delivered, and how people with disability participate in community life. These reforms have important implications for LGBTIQA+ people with disability, who may experience intersecting forms of discrimination and barriers to accessing appropriate services and supports.
Inclusive Rainbow Voices (IRV), Australia's national Disabled People's Organisation representing LGBTIQA+ people with disability, has led five submissions to these reform consultations, with support from LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA). The submissions advocate for reforms that recognise intersectionality, protect choice and control, promote culturally safe and affirming services, and ensure the voices and lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ people with disability inform the design and delivery of the NDIS.
Inclusive Communities Fund
This consultation considered a proposed $200 million fund to strengthen the capacity of community organisations to provide inclusive and accessible activities for people with disability. The submission highlighted the importance of addressing discrimination and social exclusion, supporting meaningful participation and resourcing LGBTIQA+ community-controlled and disability-led organisations to contribute their expertise.
Commissioning supported independent living (SIL)
This consultation explored proposed changes to how Supported Independent Living services are commissioned and delivered. The submission emphasised the importance of choice and control over living arrangements, access to culturally safe and affirming supports, and safeguards to protect LGBTIQA+ people with disability from discrimination, abuse and inappropriate living arrangements.
NDIS access changes
This consultation examined proposed changes to eligibility and access arrangements for the NDIS. The submission raised concerns about restrictive approaches to disability, the costs and difficulties of obtaining diagnoses, and the risk that changes to access requirements could disproportionately disadvantage LGBTIQA+ people with disability, particularly those with psychosocial disability, neurodivergence and complex chronic health conditions.
Support coordination and connection
This consultation explored a proposed new model for helping NDIS participants navigate services, coordinate supports and connect with appropriate providers. The submission called for culturally safe and affirming support coordination, recognition of chosen families and trusted support networks, and meaningful involvement of LGBTIQA+ disability-led organisations in service design and delivery.
New framework planning and NDIS supports
This consultation examined proposed changes to how NDIS participants' support needs are assessed, how budgets are determined and how supports are funded. The submission emphasised the importance of equitable, person-centred planning that recognises diverse circumstances, avoids inappropriate assumptions about informal supports and protects participants' choice, control and access to necessary supports.
