Media Release
27 April 2021
AFI supports Minister Davidson’s comments on NDIS independent assessments.
Advocacy for Inclusion strongly supports Minister Emma Davidson’s call to abandon the pilot of independent assessments in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as well as the Minister’s further recent comments on co-design made in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
We thank Minister Davidson for continuing to call for the inclusion of people with disability and for emphasising the importance of trust and respect in creating the foundation of a successful co-design process.
AFI shares the view that “genuine community consultation on the future of the NDIS is not possible while the independent assessments pilot continues”. To restore trust in the NDIS and ensure adequate support for participants, the National Disability Insurance Agency needs to commit to genuine and respectful collaboration with people with disabilities. While the NDIA remains committed to implementing the egregiously flawed concept of mandatory independent assessments, this cannot occur.
AFI calls on Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, to return to co-design principles that emphasise and respect the experience of people with disabilities and the impact policy decisions have on our lives.
Minister Davidson’s speech on co-design is available here: http://aod.parliament.act.gov.au/A91530