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If you are an NDIS participant or a potential NDIS participant, chances are you’ve heard of Support Coordination. But do you know what the specific role of a Support Coordinator is, how they can help you, and how you can be funded for Support Coordination in your NDIS plan? We are here to give you the lowdown on Support Coordination and dispel any misconception you may have. What is Support Coordination? Support Coordination is a type of support that can be included in an NDIS plan under Capacity Building supports. A Support Coordinator can assist you to: Understand your plan and the NDIS, including how to implement it and navigate the NDIS portal Manage and connect you with supports Help to build your skills to live more independently Write progress reports to the NDIS, including if you have needs that are not being met or funding needs Prepare you for plan reviews, including organising reports from your providers However, unlike funding for Plan Management, Support Coordination funding is provided on a case-by-case basis. This means that you can request that Support Coordination be included in your NDIS plan during your planning meeting, but it is up to the NDIA to decide whether you will receive funding for Support Coordination in your NDIS plan or not. Am I eligible for Support Coordination? Support Coordination is only funded for NDIS participants who meet the NDIA’s criteria for Support Coordination. To determine whether a participant would benefit from Support Coordination, the NDIA consider the following: If participant is new to the NDIS and needs help understanding their plan If they have high or complex needs If they have recently gone through or are expected to go through a significant life change If they don’t have an informal support network (family/friends) nearby or it is not reasonable or possible for their informal network to provide this type of support If you believe that you would benefit from Support Coordination, speak with your Local Area Coordinator or NDIA planner and explain to them why you would like Support Coordination included in your plan. How Can I Find a Support Coordinator? There are plenty of Support Coordinators to choose from, which you can find by searching online, asking friends, family and your community, or by speaking with your First2Care Client Manager or our Support Team for recommendations. When you do have some recommendations, it’s important to choose the right Support Coordinator to suit your needs. Here are 10 key questions you may consider asking your potential Support Coordinator: How long have you been offering Support Coordination as a service? How well do you know the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA’s) systems and requirements? Have you worked with people similar to me before? (Goals, interests, family or living situation, age, disability type, support needs, etc.) How much success have you had helping people achieve their goals? Are you able to provide some examples? What ideas do you have around how we would achieve my goals? How well do you know the supports and services in my local area, and the providers and services that I’m thinking of using? What success have you had in negotiating service delivery, agreements, and prices on behalf of other participants? Are you experienced in, and know the requirements for applications and documents within the NDIS? What are your prices? How will you charge me? What is included? What is your notice period for ending our service agreement, should I wish to change to another Support Coordinator? What Makes a Great Support Coordinator? A great Support Coordinator will know all the details of your plan, how they can help you maximise your plan, and they will get to know you as well. Your Support Coordinator should know where to find supports in your area, specifically supports that suit your needs, and can negotiate with them to ensure you are getting the best deal. Being able to communicate clearly with you as well as your support team, including support workers, providers and your Plan Manager, is very important to help ensure that you are getting the best support possible, Ultimately, your Support Coordinator should help you to feel empowered and guide you to building your independence. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

It can be easy to forget that an NDIS plan has an end date (usually 12 months), so it's important to know what your options are and what happens when your NDIS plan is coming to an end. Get the low-down on NDIS plan extensions, renewals and reviews below. Plan Extensions There are two types of plan extensions that can occur – an extension due to non-communication from the NDIA or an extension by request (more details below on how COVID-19 has changed plan extensions). Typically plan extensions are an auto-response option when an NDIS plan is due to expire and there has been no communication or a plan review between a participant and the NDIA or LAC to organise a new plan. This means that even if your NDIS plan expires, and you haven’t received a new plan yet, you won’t be left without plan funding. Having auto-extensions in place is part of the NDIS ACT, which states that an NDIS plan will not end until it is replaced with a new plan, or a participant departs from the scheme. Any funding that remains in your current plan will be added to the extension. For example, if your current plan funding was 20,000 and you have 3,000 remaining at the end of your plan, your plan extension will be 20,000 plus the 3,000 making it a total of 23,000 for the extension. Your current plan can auto-extend for a period ranging anywhere from one month to twelve months depending on the circumstances. It’s also important to note (and this is mentioned below as well) that an extension is not a new plan, it’s an extension of your current plan. How has COVID-19 changed Plan Extensions As a result of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NDIA announced that they would give participants the option to automatically extend their NDIS plan. While this initially may have been intended to be a short-term option for participants, the NDIA has since announced that automatic plan extensions are something they intend to continue. Participants considering this option should know that opting for an automatic plan extension does not give you a new plan. Instead, you are acknowledging that the current plan you have is suited to your needs ad by choosing to extend it, the NDIA cannot make any changes to it. This means that the funding you have in your current plan will continue for another 12 months. This option is available to participants who have a plan lasting 12 months or more*, who are aged 7 years and over, and who have not already commenced their plan review process. *If you have a shorter plan, your extended plan will be for the same timeframe i.e., a six-month plan can extend for six months. Plan Renewals A plan renewal is similar to a plan extension in that you essentially repeat your current plan. However, the key differences between the two are that a plan extension is not a new plan whereas a plan renewal is a new plan. And because a renewal is a new plan, this means that if there are any funds remaining in your current plan, those funds will not transfer across like they do with a plan extension. If you are someone who has been saving up some of your funding for a particular purchase or support towards the end of your planning period, be sure to factor that in when requesting a plan renewal. The reasoning behind this is that while your new plan is likely to commence when the current one finishes there are some cases where your LAC or NDIA planner may start the new plan sooner than the end date of the current plan. Always let your LAC or NDIA planner know that you want your renewal to start when the current one is finished. A plan renewal can be a good option for people who are happy with their current plan, and don’t want to go through a full plan review. Light Touch Reviews A light touch review focuses on smaller changes that may need to be made to your NDIS plan. You may want a light touch review to request that plan management be included in your NDIS plan or if you feel that your current plan does not reflect your support needs. While requesting Plan Management to be added to your NDIS plan will always be approved, other changes to your funding may or may not be. A light touch review could result in increased funding as easily as it could result in a decrease in funding. So, it is really important that you are confident in your decision to request a light touch review and if you have a Support Coordinator you can discuss this with them to ensure it is the right move for you. Plan Review Meeting A plan review meeting is the stock standard end of plan review to help you create a whole new plan. This can be done on the phone or in person, and in both circumstances, you can have someone there to support you. That person could be a friend or family member, support worker or disability advocate. During the plan review process, you will need to supply supporting evidence (much like you would have in your initial planning meeting when you first applied for the NDIS) and Statement of Outcomes. Your Statement of Outcomes is a report provided to you by your current support team. They can provide you with a NDIS Participant Progress Report that shows the goals you’re working towards, your progress, and recommendations for additional support you need to achieve your future goals. If you have any questions about the difference between extensions, renewals and reviews when it comes to your NDIS plan, or how to prepare for the plan review process, you can speak with your personal First2Care Client Manager through their direct contact number or email, our First2Care Support Team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au, or your Support Coordinator. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Accessible communication is vital to any relationship, especially between a participant and their provider. Whether that communication is online, through PDF’s or other documents or in-person, understanding accessible communication ensures that any information being shared is not only accessible for the participant, no matter their ability, but also for the provider. Get to know your client and their needs Understanding who your clients are and what their needs are as individuals can help you to create the right messaging when communicating with them. If you’re unsure of how to do this, ask yourself: Who am I speaking to? What is the purpose of my message or communication with them? What do I want them to take away from this interaction? Is the information I am providing accessible to each person I intend to share it with? Do my communication methods factor in different disabilities (i.e. hearing or visual impairment)? Have I asked what is the best form of communication for my client? It’s important to always ensure you’re speaking to your client and not at them, as well as listening their wants and needs, especially around communication methods. Online Accessibility Currently, communication is shifting more and more into an online platform, which is great, but it also means tailoring your communication to ensure accessibility. Whether that be booking appointments online, sharing blogs or resources, sending emails or even having online meetings, however you are communicating with clients in an online platform it’s important to consider how that can impact a person’s ability to view, understand and interact. Online communications should factor in people with disability, including: Visual impairment Hearing impairment Speech impairment Physical mobility (i.e. difficulty using a keyboard or mouse) Neurological (i.e. seizures due to flashing effects) Cognitive (i.e. learning disabilities) You can have your website and online communications reviewed to check if any accessibility issues come up and how to fix those moving forward. One option is to enlist help from Vision Australia who offer auditing services to ensure accessibility. Top Tips to Get Started with Accessible Online Communications We’ve come up with some top times and helpful hints to get you started on your accessible communications online. Font size and colour Checking that your font size and colour is readable on screen or in any handouts, PDF’s or other documents is a good place to start. Your font size should be at least size 12 for readability purposes and there needs to be a distinct contrast between the font colour and the background colour. Image descriptions Some people may use image readers, so providing alternative text or ‘alt text’ with your image means that a screen reader can convey the meaning of an image. By doing this it will ensure that the information shared, including the picture can be accessed by people who use screen readers. Captions and subtitles If you’re producing video content, using captions or subtitles can be super important in making sure that the information being shared is accessible. Meaningful links When using links in your online content, rather than putting ‘click here’ buttons everywhere, try adding the hyperlink to the words that describe where the link will go so that the person accessing this information knows what the link is about, and they can decide if they would like to know more on that topic. There are plenty of other things you can do to ensure accessible communication across your business. If you would like to know more about the accessibility guidelines you can visit the Centre for Accessibility website here. If you have a participant who is plan managed with First2Care, you can register your details with our First2Care team for quick and easy payment processing. Read more about First2Care Plan Management here.

Greater action among Australian businesses for gender, cultural and disability inclusivity is on the rise. Which is fantastic. But there is still a long way to go for some businesses to remove the barriers that many people face in the workforce so they can ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to succeed at work. To make this happen, it is important for employers and employees to talk about accessibility in their place of work. Accessibility at work… what is it? Everyone should have equal access to work. And in fact, it is illegal to discriminate against a person in the workforce based on their disability. Yet, people with disability are still facing challenges of discrimination in everyday life. As a business, ensuring accessibility can mean: Physical accessibility i.e., stairs, ramps, elevators Access to suitable bathroom facilities Lighting, visibility, and signage Parking, building and floor access Access to technology, IT and other software The tools required to do the job Ensuring that the appropriate accessibility is available in the workplace is vital. Do you need to tell your employer if you have a disability? As an employee with disability, you are only required to inform your employer if you have a disability if it directly affects your ability to do your job or could put your safety or the safety of others around you in danger. If your disability does not affect your job in that way, disclosing if you have a disability is completely at your discretion. There are occasions where it may be of benefit to disclose this information to assist your employer in making reasonable accessibility adjustments. Why accessibility is good for everyone Simply put… it’s a win-win. If an employer creates an accessible environment for their employees, then their employees are more likely to thrive and succeed at work. If the company that you work for has not thought fully about the accessibility of their workplace, you may need to speak up. You should never be afraid to advocate for yourself at work, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself then you may be able to discuss this with an advocate who can assist you in asserting your needs. Most employer will be supportive and work with you to ensure a solution. But how do I start the conversation? If for example, your company has changed the IT systems or procedures, and they are not accessible in the way that you need then it’s important to have a conversation to discuss the issues that you are facing. To do this: Determine who the right person is to discuss this with. It may be a supervisor or a direct manager. If you would like support, you can have a colleague, or an advocate attend the discussion with you. It’s important to organise a dedicated time and location that work for both you and your employer. You don’t want to feel rushed in the conversation and you want to ensure that you have your employer’s full attention. Make notes of key points that you want to discuss so you don’t forget anything important. Let your employer know what exactly you want them to do. By explaining the situation clearly, and providing examples if relevant, it will help your employer to understand the situation and make the appropriate changes. Be open to discussion. Sometimes your employer may need time to investigate options and come back to you with another discussion. Resources for employers and employees Job Access Job Access Employer Hub Employment Assistance Fund Understanding rights and responsibilities for people with disability Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Core Supports are one of the three NDIS support budgets that can be funded in your NDIS plan. This support budget provides funding for day-to-day tasks associated with the goals outlined in your plan. And even though your Core Supports are flexible, meaning that funding can be moved between the support categories that make up Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Living, Transport, Consumables, and Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation - it is important to understand what each of these categories are for and how you can use your NDIS plan flexibility to make the most of your funding. Assistance with Daily Living Assistance with Daily Living is designed to assist you with daily tasks. This may include: Meal preparation Personal care House cleaning or gardening maintenance Assistance with laundry Access to alternative living arrangements Short and medium-term accommodation and assistance Supported Independent Living (SIL) options Assistance with daily life tasks Support Coordination assistance to help you use your plan as it was intended and to connect you with supports Nursing care to help with disability-related health needs Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Assistance with Daily Living, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as ‘Daily Activities’. Transport Transport funding can help cover the cost of expenses associated with any disability related transport needs. This may include: Taxi expenses if you are unable to access public transport Specialised transport services to travel to and from school, TAFE, university or other education-focused facilities, employment, or within your community Consumables Consumables cover everyday items and low-risk and low-cost items, such as: Products related to your disability Interpreting and translation support AUSLAN or Signed English Training Low-cost assistive technology for personal care and safety Low-cost and minor repairs to assistive technology Low-cost assistive technology for prosthetics and orthotics Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation provides funding to cover the cost of participating in your community. Including access to: Community, social or recreational activities Individualised (one-to-one) support to assist with a social event or outing, hobby class like music, drama or art, holiday, or camp Help attending community events Transport to and from activities Support to maintain your employment Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as ‘Social, community and civic participation’. How to make the most of your Core Supports One of the best ways to make the most of your Core Supports is to think creatively about how your Core Supports could work for you. This is especially important as Core Supports is the budget category that participants will most likely be funded for in their NDIS plan. Take the time to figure out what you want and need from your funding, discuss it with your Support Coordinator and your Plan Manager, ensure you are getting the best price, and make a plan for your budget. By doing this you are less likely to overspend or underspend on your funding and you can make sure that your NDIS plan is working to support you. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

At times, it can feel a little overwhelming navigating the intricacies of the NDIS. Especially when it comes to knowing whether you can use your funding on specific items. To help you understand what types of assistive technology the NDIS can fund, we’ve pulled together case study examples based on some of the most common categories that participant’s ask about. What does the NDIS fund? When it comes to the NDIS, funding is provided if the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) consider it to be reasonable and necessary. If you’re unfamiliar with reasonable and necessary under the NDIS, funding, support or assistive technology are typically categorised as reasonable and necessary if it: Relates to your disability needs Helps your individual goals and aspirations Helps you social/economic participation Is value for money Is effective and beneficial for you Helps to maintain your informal supports Is the responsibility of the NDIS to fund The NDIS won’t provide funding if any harm will come to you or other, it is not related to your disability, it provides the same benefit as another support already funded in your plan or it relates to a day-to-day living cost such as rent, groceries, or utility costs that are not related to your disability. Case Study: Vehicles and Vehicle Modifications Having a vehicle can be a great way to increase independence. However, it depends on your circumstances as to whether the NDIS can fund this support. An example where funding won’t be approved: Sue would like to buy a vehicle to increase her independence and requests funding for this in her NDIS plan. Why the NDIS won’t fund this: The NDIS won’t fund this because a vehicle is considered a day-to-day living cost outside of Sue’s disability. For the NDIS to fund a vehicle or modifications, the cost needs to relate specifically to your disability. An example where funding would be approved: Anna would like a vehicle to increase her independence. She would like to modify a vehicle to suit her disability related needs. Why the NDIS would fund this: The NDIS can approve modifications to a vehicle as long as the modifications are considered to be value for money. Another option to ensure value for money, would be for Anna to purchase a vehicle that has already been modified to suit her needs. The NDIS may fund the pre-existing modifications at a rate equal to their depreciated value. For more information on this case study, click here. Case Study: Wheelchair Modifications Wheelchair modification will typically be funding by the NDIS as long as evidence is provided to show this is reasonable and necessary. This NDIA will look out for a number of supporting criteria as evidence. They may ask: Why you need the wheelchair modification How it relates to your disability support needs If the modification can be properly installed and safely operated How the modification is value for money How the modifications are effective and beneficial in assisting you to live your life as independently as possible How the modifications can help you to participate in social and economic activities An example where funding won’t be approved: Dan would like to purchase a particular model and design of wheelchair with extra features. Why the NDIS won’t fund this: The NDIS typically won’t fund extra items that are not considered reasonable and necessary, such as particular brands or models or specialty features that don’t relate to your disability. An example where funding would be approved: Gemma needs a power assist system added to her wheelchair to allow her to travel medium/long distances, increasing her independence and mobility. Why the NDIS would fund this: As long as Gemma can provide evidence, such as a report from an occupational therapist, and the modification is considered appropriate, value for money and relates to her disability needs, the NDIS will likely fund this support. For more information on this case study, click here. Case Study: Smart Devices Although having smart devices like an iPad or tablet can be super convenient to have in your life, the NDIS doesn’t usually fund them. An example where funding won’t be approved: Devon would like to purchase an iPad so he can access the apps that his therapist has recommended for him. Why the NDIS won’t fund this: The NDIS usually won’t fund smart devices as they are considered a day-to-day cost or general household item and something that is available for people with and without a disability. Even if your disability means you may benefit from the help of a smart device, they are unlikely to be considered as an extra living cost essential to your disability needs. An example where funding would be approved: Natalie uses an alternative communication device as her only way to communicate and is in need of a tablet to interact with those around her. Why the NDIS would fund this: If the device is essential to your disability, then the NDIS may fund it as long as it is considered to be value for money. There are some circumstances where the NDIS may fund general household items as long as evidence can be provided to show that the cost of a smart devices is an extra cost that is a direct result of your disability. Things like screen readers or other specialty software may also be funded. For more information on this case study, click here. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Everyone needs a strong support network to offer encouragement, provide assistance when needed, offer advice and emotional support, to actively listen, and to have our best interests at heart. For a person living with disability, having that network can be even more important, especially for those who need assistance with their day-to-day activities. No matter who you are, the informal supports in your life can help you feel supported and safe. What are informal supports? Informal supports are unpaid supports that can be provided by family members, friends or people that you know within your community. These supports are considered to be informal because there is no formal agreement in place like a service agreement, and you don’t pay for the support provided. The informal supports provided by family, friends and your community range from social interactions through to assistance at home or in the community with daily tasks, or going to and from appointments, school, university or work. Informal Supports and the NDIS When your NDIS plan is being created, your informal supports will be taken into consideration so the NDIA can understand where the gaps are within your current support network and what kind of funding you may need for formal (or mainstream) paid supports. Support provided by family and friends is typically regarded by the NDIA an integral part of life for everyone, whether you live with disability or not. Which means, the NDIA does not consider it reasonable and necessary to fund informal supports. Although the NDIA will generally not fund informal supports, there are some very exceptional circumstances where they may provide funding for religious or cultural reasons or if there is a risk of harm or neglect to the NDIS participant. If you feel you have exceptional circumstances, discuss this with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner during your planning meeting or plan review meeting or you can contact the NDIA on 1800 035 544. Funding may also be allocated to provide support to families through counselling opportunities related to the disability that the participant lives with and capacity building skills that can be developed within the family in relation to disability and family life. The NDIA aims to increase the independence for participants while also increasing the sustainability of any family caring arrangements. What to do if your informal supports change As with any significant changes in your daily life, if there is a change with your informal supports, you need to let the NDIA know. This can be done by completing a change in circumstances form and contacting the NDIS by emailing enquiries@ndis.gov.au, phoning 1800 800 110 or visiting your local NDIA office in person. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Capital Supports is one of the NDIS funding categories (alongside Core and Capacity Building Supports) that can make up part of your NDIS plan. This funding category typically covers one-off purchases for items that are categorised as higher cost assistive technology or, home or vehicle modifications. Let’s breakdown the Capital Support categories so you can gain a better understanding of how they are funded and how they can work for you. Assistive Technology Assistive Technology (AT) covers specialised technology, equipment or items that can help you to live your life more independently. It’s important to know that the NDIA will only fund AT that is reasonable and necessary. It needs to relate to your disability and not be considered a general household appliance or item. Technology or equipment the NDIA may fund if it falls under reasonable and necessary: Smart devices* Apps Communication devices Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment Vehicle modifications Repairs and maintenance for equipment Assistive technology rental costs Vision assistive technology Hearing assistive technology Prosthetics and orthotics Specialised footwear Assistive products for personal care and safety (non-standard beds/mattresses, personal alarms etc.) Transfer equipment Bathing and other bathroom related equipment Assistance dog *Smart devices like tablets, iPads and computers are typically considered as general household items and are not funded under the NDIS unless sufficient evidence is shown that the cost of the electronic device is an extra cost due solely and directly because of your disability needs. For more information on this topic, you can view the NDIS Operational Guidelines for Smart Devices here. Home Modifications Home modifications fund structural changes made to your home in order to make everyday life and tasks easier and to ensure you can safely access your home and move around comfortably. Home modifications may be included in your plan if: You or your carers cannot reasonably access and use the rooms in your home due to the impact of your disability Your home has significant and adverse impacts on the sustainability of your current living and care arrangements An assessment by a qualified Occupational Therapist recommends home modifications (after considering other alternatives or equipment use) This funding category typically includes funding to pay for the assessment, delivery, set up, adjustments and maintenance costs associated with any home modifications that have been approved and funded. As with any building work, there are laws and regulations that need to be adhered to when undertaking home modifications. You can find more detailed information on this in the NDIS Operational Guidelines. Specialist Disability Accommodation Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) falls under the Home Modifications category. It covers specialist accommodation costs for participants who need specialist housing for their delivery of services and have very high needs. For more information on SDA, check out our dedicated blog here. Using your Capital Support Budget Funding for AT or Home Modifications can only be used for their intended purpose. This means they are not flexible. So, if you have been funded for specialist footwear then you will need to use your funding for that purpose. In some cases, you may need to organise a quote prior to your planning meeting or plan review meeting for the particular type of AT or Home Modification you are seeking funding for. If you haven’t organised a quote prior to your planning meeting or plan review meeting, speak with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner about this. They can add Capital Supports to the plan pending a quote. You will need to get a quote from a provider and send it to the NDIA for approval before funding can be made available to purchase AT or commence Home Modifications. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Home should be a place you feel safe and comfortable. Where you have choice and control over your life and daily activities. A place where you can truly be yourself. This is where Individualised Living Options (ILO) support packages can help. NDIS ILO packages are available to provide support for eligible participants so that they can live as independently as possible in the home of their choice. Let’s breakdown Individualised Living Options Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a support that gives you the control to choose the home you live in and set up supports in a way that works for your needs. An ILO package contains the supports that can help you live the way you want to in the home you have selected, however it does not cover the home itself. When assessing eligibility, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will consider individual preferences, strengths, assets, support requirements, informal and community supports. There are plenty of reasons why someone might want ILO support, including: Greater flexibility Better choice over where you live and who you live with NDIS support whether you are a renter, have a mortgage or own your property Access to more stable and consistent supports Improved capacity building options If you are eligible for this type of support, you will work with an ILO provider to design an individualised support package that can help you to live in the home of your choice either on your own, with family, friends, or housemates. Typically, the home is either private rental, a house you own or social housing. If there is another housing solution you would like to be considered, you can discuss it with your ILO provider. What to Expect from your ILO Providers Your ILO provider can help you to explore and understand the options you have for your future home. Your ILO provider will: Get to know you and your vision for your home Assist you and your support team to understand your options Understand your strength, existing informal and formal support team Identify any strategies that can assist you in your choice of location, who you live with and how you can be supported Assess any risks that may have been missed or overlooked with your preferred way of living and help explore other options or solutions regarding any risks If you have any questions about your ILO package, your ILO provider is there to help. How is ILO funded? Your ILO will be funded in two stages – Exploration and Design (stage 1) and ILO Support Package implementation (stage 2). Stage 1: Exploration and design During stage 1, it will be determined which supports are right for you and the steps that need to be taken to put those supports in place. Some of the tasks that may be included are assistance to locate suitable housing and linking you with other funded, community or mainstream services (price limits apply). You can find this stage of ILO listed in the NDIS Price Guide 2020/21 under Individualised Living Options – Exploration and Design (page 50). Stage 2: ILO Support Package implementation Stage 2 is all about putting those support into action with the funding that has been allocated in your NDIS plan. The funding can typically be used flexibly and may include formal and informal supports (i.e., your support providers or your family/friends/community). Your ILO package will include resources for monitoring and redesign to ensure you are getting the support you need. Funding for this stage requires a quote and is listed as a stated support which means that the funding can only be used for its intended purpose. You can find this stage of ILO listed in the NDIS Price Guide 2020/21 under Individualised Living Options – Support model (page 51). ILO vs. SIL… what’s the difference? Funding for ILO and Supported Independent Living (SIL) can help you to live more independently at home. However, ILO and SIL supports cannot be funded at the same time. ILO support is an alternative to Supported Independent Living (SIL), which typically involves paid personal supports and is mostly used in shared living arrangements. SIL is better suited for a participant who requires higher support needs including 24/7 care. Whereas ILO offers a broader range of living options and more flexibility. To determine the best option for you, discuss ILO, SIL and your support needs with your LAC or NDIA planner during your planning meeting or plan review meeting. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Invisible disabilities are classed as chronic illnesses and conditions that can significantly impair daily living. The term “invisible disability” is an umbrella term for a vast spectrum of disabilities which often go unnoticed or are not immediately apparent to most people. Some conditions considered to be an invisible disability are people with brain injuries, MS, autism, ADHD, diabetes, epilepsy, neurological disorders, hearing loss, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, mental illness… the list goes on. After knowing someone with an invisible disability, their disability might become more obvious, but often it will only be revealed if a person chooses to share. Raising awareness of invisible disabilities and why it’s important There are millions of Australians living with an invisible disability. So, why are we not talking about it more? It’s important to raise awareness around invisible disabilities. When a disability is not immediately apparent, this can sometimes lead to further problems regarding discrimination, exclusion, lack of understanding, difficulty accessing funding, and isolation. Sometimes a person with an invisible disability can find it difficult to talk about their disability and the daily challenges they can face. This is often linked to a fear of others responding negatively or disregarding the disability all together. Raising awareness, being mindful and opening the discussion around invisible disabilities can create a better understanding of what it means for someone to live with an invisible disability. This understanding can help to forge a stronger sense of community and support. Three things to know about invisible disabilities Just like when addressing someone who has visible disability, there are things to be mindful of when addressing someone with an invisible disability. Invisible disabilities are not fake – One of the most common things someone with an invisible disability will often hear is “you don’t look like you have a disability so it can’t be that bad”. While a person may not look like they have a disability (it is called an invisible disability after all), that doesn’t mean it’s not there. When people with an invisible disability are met with scepticism, this can lead them to downplay their experience or not talk about it. Accessible facilities are not just for visible disabilities – If someone appears able-bodied and is using an accessible bathroom or an accessible parking space, it could be that they have an invisible disability. They might need access to a sink in a bathroom stall because they have a colostomy bag (where bowel movements are collected in a disposable bag), inflammatory bowel disease, or difficulty balancing and need hand rails for support; or maybe they have chronic pain or mobility issues and need a parking space within proximity to their intended destination. It’s important to respect the privacy of those using accessible facilities. Words and actions speak volumes – Language is the way we communicate, whether that’s verbal or non-verbal, and so, it’s important to think about how you interact with people. The use of language around sensitive situations, interrupting someone who takes more time to communicate, or disregarding a person and their disability can be just as affecting for someone living with an invisible disability, as it can be for someone with a visible disability. Does the NDIS support invisible disability? One of the biggest challenges for a person with an invisible disability can be securing funding to help them with the management of their day-to-day living. Having an invisible disability won’t make someone ineligible for the NDIS, but sometimes it can be difficult for them to obtain funding. For anyone with a disability, invisible or visible, they need to meet the same access requirements for funding as laid out by the NDIS. NDIS access requirements: Aged between 7 and 65 (there are other assistance options for those under 7 and over 65 years); live in Australia and have either Australian citizenship, permanent residency status, or have a Special Category Visa; need support or special equipment because of a permanent or significant disability and; require direct supports that overtime can help you to live as independently as possible. The NDIS has been put in place to help people with a disability live as independently as possible. And while more than 325,000 Australians are receiving support, there are some who are not eligible for support based on NDIS access requirements. This doesn’t mean there is no support available. People with a disability who don’t qualify for the NDIS can still have access to and apply for: Local Area Coordinators who can help provide guidance, information and support; the ability to apply for other government support and funding and; disability advocacy support. How First2Care can help Although First2Care’s NDIS Plan Management platform was designed to assist NDIS Participants with a seamless NDIS process, from the initial application to personal goal and financial management, the platform solution is also suitable for non-NDIS Participants. The First2Care platform can guide you through the pre-planning process (if you are looking to apply or renew your existing plan), it helps define your goals and manage your record keeping of financial and other documentation relating to your disability. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent professional Plan Manager like First2Care. Alternatively, register today on First2Care’s FREE NDIS Plan Management platform, so we can start helping you best manage your plan. Read more about First2Care’s Plan Management features. Over to you We hope this helps with understanding invisible disabilities, why awareness is so important, and what kind of support options are available whether you are eligible or ineligible for the NDIS. If you have an invisible disability and have recently applied for the NDIS, we would love to hear about your experience so we can determine if we can be of assistance.

There are three categories of support that you may be funded for under your NDIS plan – Core, Capital, and Capacity Building Supports. Under Capacity Building Supports, there are nine support categories which are designed to help you live your best life as independently as possible. To fully maximise your NDIS plan, it’s important to understand each of the nine support categories within Capacity Building Supports and how they can help you. Support Coordination Support coordination services are linked with the NDIA but are provided by an external business. A support coordinator can help you to put your plan in action, organise your supports, help you to build connections within your community, and help you to prepare for your plan review. Not everyone will be funded for support coordination so if you feel this support is something you need, discuss this with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner during your planning meeting or plan review. If you have received funding for support coordination, you can choose the support coordinator that works best for you. Improved Living Arrangements Improved living arrangements can help you to find suitable accommodation to live more independently. Funding in this category may cover someone assisting you with property inspections and contact negotiations, assistance applying for a rental property, ensuring your needs are met within the property and helping meet tenancy obligations. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Improved Living Arrangements, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Home Living. Increased Social and Community Participation Increased social and community participation is aimed to help build skills through access to your community. This can fund things within the community like tuition fees, art classes, sporting activities and coaching, camps, and mentors and therapists who can help build skills for independence. Transport for activities may also be funded under this category. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Increased Social and Community Participation, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Social Community and Civic Participation. Finding and Keeping a Job Finding and keeping a job is a goal for many NDIS participants. This category can provide support throughout the job searching process as well as assistance to maintain your job. This budget may fund things like, a support worker to help you find a job and/or assist while at your job (i.e., on-the-job training to help you work towards managing your work independently), life/work coaches, private recruitment specialists, career counsellors and employment mentors. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Finding and Keeping a Job, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Employment. Improved Relationships Improved relationships can help you to build your skills to better connect with and build or strengthen relationships within your community. Funding under this category may cover someone who can help you to build these skills, or someone who can assist with behavioural therapy services. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Improved Relationships, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Relationships. Improved Health and Wellbeing Health and wellbeing are super important, and this funding category can assist with funding services like personal trainers, exercise physiotherapists, and dieticians to help you to improve your skills to maintain your health and wellbeing. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Improved Health and Wellbeing, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Health and Wellbeing. Improved Learning Improved learning can help you further your education. Whether you’re leaving school, have recently left school or have been out of school for some time, this funding category can fund a support worker to help you to university or TAFE. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Improved Learning, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Lifelong Learning. Improved Life Choices Improved life choices is all about plan management and the choice and control a plan manager can provide as part of your support team. To be funded for improved life choices, you will need to request plan management as your preference for the financial management of your NDIS plan (the other two options are NDIA management or self-management) during your planning meeting or plan review meeting. Your plan manager (like us at First2Care!) will ensure that you maintain choice and control over your plan while managing the financial and administrative tasks associated with your plan. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Improved Life Choices, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Choice and Control. Improved Daily Living Improved daily living can fund your therapies and other programs aimed at helping you build your capacity and reduce the impact of your disability. Support providers like physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists or other therapists that can assist you to become more independent with your daily living tasks fall under this support budget. Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Improved Daily Living, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as CB Daily Activity. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Your NDIS plan funding categories are typically considered as flexible or not flexible. If a category is flexible, it means funding can be moved around as needed within that category. If it’s not flexible, then it means you can only use funding on supports or services that fall under that specific funded category. But what about stated supports? Where does it fit in to an NDIS plan and what is it for? What is a stated support under the NDIS? Your NDIS plan has different levels of funding support, some supports are flexible, and some are not. A stated support is not flexible and can only be used for a specific support or service. If you notice that ‘stated support’ is listed before a support description in your NDIS plan, then you’ll need to use the funding for that support or service. Without approval from the NDIS, funding cannot be used to purchase a different item or different version of the stated item. In some cases, the stated supports may require a quotation to be supplied during your planning meeting or plan review meeting so that it can be listed in your NDIS plan at the exact amount quoted by your provider. It’s important to note that stated supports are listed as ‘stated items’ in the NDIS Price Guide. What are the main types of stated supports? There are several different stated supports that you may be included in your NDIS plan. It’s a good idea to understand what stated supports are available so that you can mention any that you would like included in your NDIS plan during your planning meeting or plan review meeting. The NDIA will still need to determine whether you are eligible for these supports, but by discussing your support needs with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner during your meeting it can help to ensure you receive the right support for you. Stated support examples Plan Management Plan Management is one of the main stated support options. When you go to your planning meeting or plan review meeting, you’ll be asked how you would like your plan to be managed financially. One of your options is to have a Plan Manager take care of the financial and administrative tasks of your NDIS plan (the other two options are Agency Managed or Self-Managed). With Plan Management, you maintain choice and control over your plan and can access both registered and unregistered providers without having to worry about the day-to-day management and paying of invoices, paperwork and bookkeeping. Support Coordination Support Coordinators can help you to make the most of you NDIS plan by assisting with accessing the right supports for you, helping you to target your supports and daily activities towards achieving your goals and to help you to build you capacity to manage your NDIS plan. Live-in carer assistance If you need a live-in carer, you may be allocated stated support funding for a person who lives in your house, travels with you and/or provides assistance with or supervision over personal and daily living tasks. They can also help you to develop your skills and capacity so that you can work towards living as independently as possible. This type of stated support typically requires a quote. On-call overnight monitoring This stated support is for people who need overnight on-call assistance or supervision with personal and daily living tasks. This covers an eight-hour period on any day of the week or public holiday and includes some level of active support. Again, this stated support requires a quote. Linen service Some participants may require linen service, which is a stated support available to those who are unable to do laundry without assistance. A quote is required. Meal preparation and delivery For those who need assistance with the cost of the preparation and delivery of food as they are unable to do this themselves, and do not have other supports that cover this need, may be able to access support for the preparation and delivery of meal (the food cost is not covered under the NDIS). For this support, a quote is required. Individualised Living Options Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a package of supports that assists with achieving your home and living goals. This support is tailored to your needs as an individual. Specialised Transport Specialised transport services to attend school, an educational facility, employment, or the wider community may be required. To access this stated support a quote is required. Specialised driver training support If driving lessons are required due to the impact of your disability, and you have been assessed by a specialist driver trained occupational therapist, you may be able to request the inclusion of this stated support in your NDIS plan. There are other stated supports like an item of assistive technology, interpretation services and some behaviour support that can be listed in your NDIS plan. Be sure to have as many supporting documents as possible and required quotes available to share with your LAC or NDIA planner during your planning meeting or plan review meeting. How to change your stated supports During your planning period, you may find that your support needs change. Small changes, such as the need to purchase a different model of an item that costs the same can be assessed as a ‘light touch’ review if more funding is not required. If you have a more significant change, like additional funding under one of your NDIS support categories, an early plan review may be required. If you have a stated support in your NDIS plan that no longer meets your needs or a stated support that you would like included in future plans (pending NDIA approval) you can discuss this with your LAC or NDIA planner. You can also reach out to our friendly support team or your First2Care Client Manager for more information. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.