Whether you have an NDIS plan, or you're hoping to have one soon, you're probably aware of 'Assistive Technology' - but you might not know just what it is, if it's for you, or even how to access it. It's one of the most commonly asked questions we get here at My Plan Manager, so let's take a closer look.
The NDIS take their definition of Assistive Technology from the World Health Organisation, which deems it to be "Any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed".
Don't let the word 'technology' confuse you - Assistive Technology doesn't necessarily mean the latest most expensive gadgets - though it covers them too! Assistive Technology can often be low tech or even no tech. It covers a diverse range of items, from something as simple as a curved piece of plastic to help open a tin of food, all the way up to a complex, custom power wheelchair with tilt, raise lower functions and more.
The NDIS has categorised Assistive Technology into four complexity levels:
Level 1 (basic): is low-cost, low-risk and participants will mostly identify and source this themselves. Examples include: nonslip bathmats, large print labels, doorbells, etc.
Level 2 (standard): are typically 'off the shelf' Assistive Technology that many participants can test and trial before making a final choice. Examples include: bath seat, handrails, ramps, etc.
Level 3 (specialised): is similar to Level 2 Assistive Technology, however it often requires modification to suit the needs of the participant. Examples include: desktop electronic magnification, home modifications such as bathroom adaptions and pressure mattresses, etc.
Level 4 (complex): are typically custom made or 'off the shelf' but configured uniquely for the individual. Examples include: cochlear implant speech processors, complex home modifications that require major structural change, etc.
If it is determined that a participant does need technological assistance to overcome barriers, their NDIS plan will include funding for an Assistive Technology assessment. This assessment can help both a participant and the NDIA to understand what the most appropriate Assistive Technology solutions are.
The NDIS states: "Low cost and low risk items (Level 1) do not need a form to be sent into the NDIS. Participants with Assistive Technology funded supports in their plan can seek advice and buy it themselves. Supply of Levels 2 – 4, require an appropriate assessment form which needs to be completed by or with the oversight of an Assistive Technology Assessor with suitable experience in that Assistive Technology. Some Assistive Technology will need greater consideration due to particular participant or environment issues."
If you still have questions, don't worry! Our team here is happy to help you out. Contact us
Managing your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding to achieve a perfect spend is challenging. If you find yourself at the end of your plan with funding left over, here are three helpful things to know.
Firstly, it’s important to know unspent funds won’t be rolled over from your current NDIS plan into your next one.
So, does that mean you should spend as much as you can while you can? Well, if you have time before your plan ends, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t access services and supports with your funding. But if you don’t have time, it’s a good idea to think about why funds were underspent in preparation for your next plan reassessment. Doing so will help you to make clear for your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIS planner what your reasonable and necessary needs are so your next plan supports you and your goals!
Everyone’s individual circumstances are unique, but there are some common reasons why funding goes unspent. Do any of these apply to you?
Record the reasons why there are left over funds in your NDIS plan and share them with your LAC or planner. You might also find it helpful to use the My Plan Manager budget calculator to make a personalised budget to inform your plan reassessment. Your budget will show your LAC or planner what funding you require to meet your needs and achieve your goals when you have your supports, services and providers in place.
Your providers can also provide you with reports to share with your LAC or planner. The reports can detail any periods you were unable to access services, and what ongoing support they recommend and why.
Engaging a support coordinator and a plan manager (like My Plan Manager!) can assist you to understand your plan, to find the right service providers and to keep on top of your budgets so you don’t underspend or overspend your funds next time. Consider talking to your LAC or planner about including funding for support coordination and plan management in your next plan, and learn more about what My Plan Manager can do for you here.
Having National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding approved is just the first milestone in a long process that can be overwhelming at times. If it's working optimally, an NDIS plan should support you to achieve your goals, remove barriers to your participation in the community, and enhance your life - but it does require time, attention and administration. That's why knowing about NDIS plan management is crucial for you to make the most of your funding and to access supports with minimal stress.
Below are the different types of NDIS plan management available to you, what they involve, and the pros and cons of each.
The default option that participants are generally offered for funding management is agency management. This means that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will have responsibility for paying the people and businesses that provide you with services. When your plan is agency-managed, these service providers must come from the NDIA's approved list of registered providers and meet the criteria for pricing. This can be inconvenient for many reasons - you may not have registered service providers local to you, you may already be working with someone you like, who knows your history, that you are comfortable with, or the providers that work best for you might not meet the price guide.
The second option available to you is self management, where you are personally responsible for paying the invoices for the services you receive under your NDIS. While this gives you more flexibility for choosing your service providers, it can be quite a large commitment in terms of the paper work, taking time and effort to manage budgets and keep invoices up to date. It can also mean paying for services up front and being reimbursed later, which can be difficult.
Plan management is the third choice available to you, and it combines the ease of being agency managed, where someone else takes care of your paperwork, pays your invoices and files them for safe-keeping, with the choice and flexibility of being self managed. As an NDIS participant, you’re entitled to funding for a plan manager to help make your life easier. Unlike any other funding request, you don’t have to demonstrate your need for a plan manager, you simply have to ask for it.
You also have the option of choosing a combination of agency, self and plan management that best suits your needs.
If you decide a Plan Manager is best for you, you need to get funding allocated on your plan. You can do this at your very first meeting with your planner or Local Area Coordinator. If you’ve already got your plan, but did not specifically request Plan Management, you can either wait for your review at the completion of your current plan, or call up to request a review of your plan sooner to have it included.
If you have any questions about Plan Management and how My Plan Manager can work for you, please contact us.
