Last week, the state and territory disability ministers met with Federal Minister for the NDIS, Linda Reynolds, to debate the introduction of Independent Assessments into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
As a result, the federal government has agreed not to go ahead with the implementation of Independent Assessments and has committed to consult on any future amendments. This is a huge win for the disability community, which has come together to fight against the introduction of the new assessment model.
People with disabilities, disability advocates and peak bodies have campaigned strongly against the introduction of independent assessments since their introduction via a pilot program.
Read more: Disability advocates urge new minister to abandon Independent Assessments
The disability community has argued the assessments were dehumanising and would lead to inappropriate plans, with a significant risk of traumatising participants.
The NDIS Joint Standing Committee received over 320 submissions on this issue from a mix of individuals, disability peak bodies and advocacy organisations (including IDEAS), academics and others.
Read more: IDEAS submission to APH Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS – Independent Assessments
Further reading
Parliament of Australia, NDIS Joint Standing Committee
Submissions received by the Committee
The Conversation, July 10 2021
SBS News, July 11 2021
'The evidence wasn't there': Researchers welcome scrapping of NDIS independent assessments
ABC News, July 9 2021
NDIS Minister says independent assessments model is 'dead', in win for disability advocates