For those of you that are familiar with the NDIS (the National Disability Insurance Scheme) here in Australia, you will be aptly aware that it is ever-changing. Back in May this year we did a whole blog on the NDIS and how it is linked to Adaptive Clothing. For a refresher of the basics definitely give it a read here. However we thought it was time for a bit of an update, as things have recently changed.
Firstly, and most excitingly, JAM has recently become an NDIS-registered provider! What does this mean exactly? Well previous to us becoming registered providers, you could only purchase JAM products with your NDIS funding if you were self-managed or plan-managed. Now however if the funds you’re using to purchase our products are agency-managed, we can process those too! Registration is given to providers by the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) that have gone through a rigorous auditing process to establish that they are prepared to provide supports to participants on the NDIS. Not only does this make JAM’s products more accessible to more people, but it demonstrates the seriousness in which we take providing these products to our customers on the NDIS. If you have any questions about how we can assist you in utilising your NDIS funds to purchase our products we are always more than happy to have a chat about the processes involved.
As well as this exciting JAM-specific update, there has been a significant update to the NDIS as a whole. At the start of October the NDIA revealed two lists that state what the NDIA will and will not fund going forward. As stated on the NDIA website, “participants will only be able to use their NDIS funds for items listed as approved supports.” These lists were developed and implemented to simplify what can be claimed as an NDIS-related cost, and to reduce the risk of funds being spent on products and services that are not related to a participant’s disability. Understandably, a lot of people on the NDIS felt very anxious about these lists, that they will take away from participant’s choice and control and will lose the individualised supports that the NDIS was created for.
As explained in greater detail in our previous blog, often people argue that clothing is an everyday expense that cannot be claimed through the NDIS. However, Adaptive Clothing has specific design features that have been created for people with disability to provide independence, self-expression and dignity which can have a significant impact on participation for that individual. Thankfully, the NDIA has recognised this need and ‘Adaptive Clothing’ has been named on the list of supports the NDIA will fund under the category of ‘Assistive Products for Personal Care and Safety’. When we saw this, we felt so happy that Adaptive Fashion has been acknowledged as the Assistive Technology that it is and that people are able to utilise their funding to get these much needed items.
So what does all of this mean going forward? It means that people with disability and their care teams will no longer need to use essential time and energy on defending the purchase of Adaptive Clothing through their NDIS plans, and dealing with people that have never heard of these assistive products before. Now when submitting a JAM invoice for payment or reimbursement, us as a business and customers as participants are able to refer to the lists of supports and show very clearly that the NDIA will fund these products. As always, with any products or services paid for by an NDIS plan, it still needs to be linked to the individual’s disability and their goals and this is up to the individual and/or their care team to be able to justify themselves.
Although we know the ever-changing world of the NDIS can cause a lot of anxiety, stress and confusion, here at JAM we are hopeful that these changes will improve the scheme, and in the meantime we are here to support our customers in any way we can and continue to advocate for access to essential assistive products like Adaptive Clothing.
