The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support for Australians with disability, their families and carers.

The NDIS is progressively being rolled out across each state and territory in Australia.

To assist our members, Limbs 4 Life have developed the following resources for people living with limb loss who are transitioning into the NDIS.

You can download these via the links below:

Tips and suggestions on how to complete your NDIS Access Request - Supporting Evidence Form.

• How to complete your NDIS Access Request – Supporting Evidence Form - For people with lower limb loss/lower limb difference)
• How to complete your NDIS Access Request – Supporting Evidence Form - For people with upper limb loss/upper limb difference

The Amputee Guide to the National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Guide to the National Disability Insurance Scheme is a comprehensive booklet which outlines the processes from start to finish.

The Guide also includes worksheets for ‘setting goals for amputees and children with limb differences.’ You can use these worksheets to develop your goals and take them with you to your planning meeting.

• Amputee Guide To The National Disability Insurance Scheme

The NDIS Equipment and Service Checklist for people with limb loss

The Checklist may help you to identify the equipment, consumables and services that you may need in order to fulfill your goals.

• National Disability Insurance Scheme Equipment and Service Checklist for People with Limb Loss

Things to consider when transitioning into the NDIS

There are a number of things that you need to consider when transitioning into the NDIS:

• Don't forget to allow for repairs and prosthetic maintenance in your plan.
• Have a think about the number of liners and/or stump socks you may need over the course of one year.
• Are you considering trialling a different prosthetic devices like: a foot, hand or knee unit? If so, you will need to allow for clinical trials in your plan. Make sure you have a discussion about your needs with your prosthetist so that they can include the cost of trials in your plan. You should also discuss this with your Planner or Local Area Coordinator.
• The NDIS uses the term 'Assistive Technology' or (AT) when referring to prosthetic devices and equipment.
• As a participant of the NDIS it is very important that you can clearly outline your goals, how you will achieve your goals, and how your goals will assist you to live an ordinary life.

Funding under the NDIS

Funding under the NDIS is provided under three different support clusters:

Core Supports - The Core support budget is made up of four different categories. These include:

• Daily activities – for example: assistance with self-care activities or household tasks
• Social, community and civic participation – for example: supports to enable you to engage in social or recreational activities
• Consumables – for example: prosthetic liners, lotions and gels
• Transport funding (if you are unable to use public transport because of your disability)

Capital Supports - Capital supports have two support categories:

• Assistive Technology: for example prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, shower stools, readers etc.
• Home Modifications: ramps, handrails etc

Capacity Building Supports - Capacity building funding includes categories such as:

• Daily activity
• Choice and control
• Employment
• Social Community and Civic Participation
• Health and Well Being
• Home Living
• Lifelong Learning
• Relationships
• Support Coordination

Examples of Capacity Building Supports could include things like: gait training from a Physiotherapist, support from an Occupational Therapist to teach you how to use a one-handed mouse.

Remember, if you leave something out of your plan, you can have it reviewed, however, if you can get it right the first time it will make the process easier in the long term.