Futures in Sight

09/09/2022

NIna, Jerrah, Sam and all Club Weld and River City Voices.. well done and good luck tomorrow at the Launch
(Image description: photo of Jerrah on Mic, Sarah conducting and Sam on Guitar)
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/sep/10/club-weld-studio-helping-neurodiverse-musicians-record-release-music-book-shows-gigs

08/06/2022

many of you will be intersted in this
(Image description: Martin Hoffman, almost ex CEO of NDIA smiling at the camera)

NDIA Board Announcement

Media release 8 June 2022
The Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has announced that it has accepted, with regret, the resignation of CEO Mr Martin Hoffman, effective 2 July 2022.

Mr Hoffman commenced as CEO in November 2019.

Dr Denis Napthine AO, Chair of the NDIS Board, commended Mr Hoffman for his stewardship of the Scheme through such an important stage of its evolution.

“During Martin’s leadership the NDIS completed the full transition from the old systems – and grew dramatically with now more than 520,000 participants benefiting from the Scheme.

He has also overseen significant participant experience improvements, with an emphasis on digital investment that will deliver further improvements in future.

He led the Agency with passion, grace and commitment, including managing through the impacts of the COVID pandemic.”

Mr Hoffman said “It has been an absolute privilege to have served in this role for the last three years.

I wish the Scheme, and its participants, families, carers and providers all the very best for the future.

I thank the amazing staff of the Agency for their dedication and support.”

Current NDIA Deputy CEO, Dr Lisa Studdert, will act as the NDIS CEO from July 2.

The NDIA Board will immediately start an open recruitment process to appoint the next NDIA CEO.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/7931-ndia-board-announcement

Pic desc: professional headshot of Martin Hoffman, a middle aged man wearing suit and tie and glasses, smiling.

03/06/2022

Recognise some of the people..
we reckon this will be fun

if you can make it.. its free but you need to book

(Image description: the word Ace and River City Voices Invite you to the Launch of What the World needs

https://ice.org.au/2022/05/what-the-world-needs-ep-launch/?fbclid=IwAR07AZ1fYnECciIa5qsPHO0fn1fSh0_NVghsMIgRiM_0QoFBtSSX4tluUN8

ACE (Arts & Cultural Exchange) and River City Voices have partnered to present the digital and physical launch of a brand-new EP titled What The World Needs! Pairing neurodiverse musicians from ACE’s Club Weld with breathtaking arrangements by the River City Voices symphonic choir.

13/05/2022

This week we had a conversation with a woman we support about the election. She was overwhelmed and there was just too much information )loads of fliers landing in her mail box)

So we talked about what was important to her and how to find out what the different candidates and the different parties promise to do about the things that are important to her.

Of course the NDIS was on her list of important issues. (as were Animal Rights)

Todd Withers from DSC put together what the Coalition, Labour and the greens have to say about the NDIS and what they promise to do.. Its a great little summary. Thanks Todd
and we hope you are all be voting on the 21 of May.

We'll be hitting the booths ne... Est. reading time: 4 minutes

03/05/2022

May the fourth be with you - Happy Star Wars day

(image description: Yoda from Star wars swinging a green laser and the words May the fourth be with you)

28/04/2022

NDIS Act changes

Our short and sharp summary of what that means for you:

- The timeframes in the Participant Service Guarantee are now law. (Yay, any increase in speed will be great - but it’s hard to see how this can happen without more staff)
- The NDIA will now need to be providing reasons for all s100 - reviewable decisions. (That will certainly help with understanding how the NDIA people think - but there is still no requirement for reasons to be provided on an internal review decision - let’s watch this space)
- There are now (limited circumstances) in which a plan can be varied without having to do the full-on review. (Yay!)
---Requests for changes to plans are now called:
“Variations”: making small changes or fixing small errors
---“Reassessment” for bigger changes and what used to be a full plan review.
---“Review” is only used for a “Review of a reviewable decision” and Reviews to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
-Participants asking for plan management are now subject to the same assessment that self-managers are subject - the NDIA will assess whether having plan management puts the participant at ‘unreasonable risk” (mmh.. lets watch this one)
Our thanks to PIAC (Public Interest Advocacy Centre) and to read the whole explainer, we recommend you read the full article.
(Image description; A gavel hitting a wooden block and the works Changes to the NDIS Act and what they mean for you

26/04/2022

Explore options with Uzma

In this video, Umza shows us what’s so good about the NDIS when it works well and why people say that if delivered right, the NDIS will contribute to the economy, not cost money.

Uzma explains that because the NDIS is working well for Hamza, she and her family are free to study and work and make money and pay tax.

Uzma says :

“When Hamza was diagnosed with CP this was probably my biggest fear that probably I'll not be able to leave my home probably I'll not be ever able to do some job”.

So Uzma chose to become a PHD student instead, thinking that she could better fit her study around Hamza’s needs. But with choice and control and the right supports available for Hamza, she says:

“Now I know the support system is there I can envision myself going to industry, maybe Google, Microsoft... why not?”

(Image description a photo woman with her young son sitting on her lap)

Uzma talks about being Hamza's Mum, having NDIS supports and a career.

13/04/2022

Finding it harder and harder to find and keep Support Workers?

You are not alone! Watching this report a couple of nights ago things will be getting worse with 30% of workers expected to leave the disability support work in the next year.

What do you do to find and keep workers?

https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/shortage-of-disability-support-workers-becoming-a/13838182

(Image description: George Ayoub speaking to camera)

11/02/2022

We all know from research, but also from our own experiences, that if we have more people look out for us, we are safer. When we know our neighbours - we feel safer in our communities. When we have friends and family we can talk with - we feel someone’s got our back.When we have trusted health professionals in our lives - we feel somewhat reassured. Especially in times like these.

We have started a bit of a list of things we can do working alongside group home managers and front line staff, to open up those group homes.. https://www.futuresinsight.com.au/news/opening-up-closed-systems-working-alongside-group-home-managers-and-frontline-staff
Image description: photo of a door handle and the words; Opening closed Systems)

09/02/2022

Lorraine was lucky, she had a sister who was an amazing advocate for people with intellectual disability, who after ‘escaping’ a terrible institution herself found herself an ally and together they fought long and hard to get Lorraine out of the institution she was living in.
Now in her sixties, Lorraine lives in a group home with 5 other women
Check out Lorraine’s video here and explore a bit of her world, as she hangs out with Louise.
Image description this is a video and the image shows Lorraine and Louise sitting at table. For video described audio content: https://www.futuresinsight.com.au/lorraine-transcript.html

07/02/2022

Maybe we should be sharing important announcements and what the Minister said .. But then there is this.. so much better for the soul and a good belly laugh!
Can't wait to see it .. thanks Cuzzy Bros from over the ditch for making this
https://youtu.be/609KtmTHGhw

Image description: young woman in front of a mirror wearing big sunglasses

STORYA young woman with Down syndrome chases her dream of becoming a mechanic, despite being held back by the person she trusts the most.©2021- New Zealand F...

27/01/2022

Thanks Minister: People with disability who are participants of the NDIS can now use their core funding to pay for rapid antigen test (RAT)..
to read more :https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/7308-ndis-participants-can-use-plan-funds-claim-rapid-antigen-tests?utm_source=National+Disability+Insurance+Scheme+eNewsletter&utm_campaign=e6e34be410-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_01_20_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_85b9cee0c8-e6e34be410-52357381

(Image description, picture of a Rapid Antigen Test and the words Now you can use your NDIS$$ to pay for Rapid Antigen Tests)

20/01/2022

Thanks for speaking out Carolyn... this is so wrong and yet again another demonstration that the NDIA has no idea about the lives of so many of the people on NDIA supports.. just when it all started and they would not fund PPE

Carolyn Campbell-Mclean says NDIS won’t let her claim back test costs, but it allows people living in group homes to do so

23/12/2021

It's been a long year.
From all of us here at futures in sight, our best wishes for the festive season.
Look after yourself and those around you, stay safe and we see you in 2022.

(Image description: photo of red gum flowers and the words: Best wishes for the festive season. We will be closed 25 Dec 2021- 4 Jan 2022)

22/12/2021

Justen is a fantastic disability advocate. He is a voice for people with intellectual disability. Watch his video and see how Justen is using his NDIS funding to speak out and be heard.
https://youtu.be/odYyu88B7wo

(Image description: a photo of Justen and the words: All we want for Christmas is Social Justice. ahh and maybe a few mince pies ;-) )

20/12/2021

안녕하세요

My name is Ohsha. I love to learn and be challenged to do new things. I also like to be creative. I enjoy making things, taking and editing photos. I like sharing what I make with others as a way of relating to and connecting with other people.
제 이름은 오샤에요. 저는 새롭게 배우고 도전하는 것을 좋아하고요. 크리에이티브한 것을 좋아해요. 뭔가 만들고 사진 찍고 편집해서 다른 사람과 나누고 공감하는 것을 좋아해요.

Read my story about my story and how I use my NDIS funding to help me be an Artisthttps://www.futuresinsight.com.au/ohshas-story.html
(Image description: Ohsha holding one of her sculptures looking at the camera)

19/12/2021

Justen has been involved in speaking up and saying what needs to be said for a long time. He is an advocate for people with intellectual disability, especially for people who have come into contact with the law.

Check out Justen’s video here and hear him talk about using his funding to help him achieve his goal of running his own business being an advocate and motivational speaker.