Advocacy groups are warning NDIS assessment reforms will not meet the requirements of people from culturally diverse and Indigenous communities.
Currently, people with disability submit specialist evidence to the NDIS for evaluation. However, the proposal would have peoples’ support and funding eligibility assessed by independent contractors.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance said the assessments would not provide the specialist and culturally competent services culturally diverse and Indigenous people need.
“People with disability from a CALD background, and from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities require specialised expertise and cultural competence from service providers,” the Australian Lawyers Alliance's submission said.
“We are not confident that the proposed model has sufficient requirements for the assessments to be completed in a culturally sensitive way.”