‘I’m not really sure but I hope it’s better’: early thoughts of parents and carers in a regional trial site for the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme

Abstract

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of the most significant initiatives in Australian social policy history. Its complexity has been compounded by a fast-paced introduction and ongoing refinement throughout the initial trial phase. Parents and carers of very young disabled children face particular challenges accessing and navigating NDIS systems. This article presents findings from a mixed-method pilot study examining the perspectives of parents and carers of disabled children in one NDIS trial site – the Hunter Region of New South Wales. The research highlights a number of policy assumptions potentially impacting on NDIS take up for young disabled children and their families in regional contexts. Based on research findings a number of policy suggestions and improvements for disabled children and their families entering the NDIS and other individualised funding schemes are outlined.

Keywords:

• early intervention
• regional
• disability
• policy change
• families
• children
• National Disability Insurance Scheme

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge and thank parents and carers who participated in this study and offered their time and expertise, and partners in this study ‒ Firstchance Inc. and Hunter Prelude – for their willing support, useful knowledge and much-valued time.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.