The trials of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) being undertaken by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on behalf of Australian governments provide an opportunity for comprehensive, direct feedback.
People with disability must have the chance to critically analyse and assess the NDIS during the trial period to provide valuable input as the scheme is developed. To date, there have been a number of reviews but people with disability have not led these or formed their verdicts.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is launching an innovative Citizens’ Jury process to provide the Australian community with the first user-led national scorecard which is formed, assessed and delivered by Australians who have helped fund this scheme and those who have direct experience as participants within the seven trial sites. The process will kick off with a social media forum on 29 November 2014.
Craig Wallace, President of People with Disability Australia (PWDA) said: “A Citizens’ Jury with expert witnesses from trial sites is a perfect fit for the NDIS.”
“This is a challenging person-centred process for a person-centred scheme. It means that people with disability will be front and centre advising on the reform of the system and the transition to self-directed support.”
“We need to make sure we are hearing all the voices involved in the scheme to ensure the scheme that is rolled out nationally is as good as it can be.”
“I am delighted that the National Disability Insurance Agency has embraced the idea and is supportive of the Citizens’ Jury process,” said Wallace.
“The NDIS is a public asset and the Citizens’ Jury enables a diverse group of citizens, including people with disability to develop a scorecard on this scheme after hearing from the real experts in the room – those actually receiving disability services under the new NDIS,” said Wallace.
A national scorecard will be published in April 2015. The results will be an important resource for the Australian people and in particular for people with disability waiting to enter the scheme, as well as policy makers and services providers working on the national roll out.
Note to editors
The Citizens’ Jury will use the Productivity Commission Report as a reference point in its assessment of the NDIS trials.
The Jurors and Expert Witnesses will be selected by newDemocracy Foundation, a leading independent, non-partisan research organisation that specialises in citizen participation. The selection process will be totally independent.
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