8 Ways You Can Prepare for the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding support to approved participants in order to help them achieve their goals and help them work towards increased independence, participation in work/education and community involvement.

The NDIS is currently being rolled out in Western Australia. With all the information that’s out there, it’s not surprising that you might be finding the rollout overwhelming. Every new big policy is daunting to begin with but there are steps you can take to make the whole process less stressful.

1. There’s a lot of information online so in order to skip the confusion make sure you stick to resources you can trust. The NDIS website is a great place to start.

2. Learn how to speak the lingo. It’s a good idea to start getting your head around terms like funded supports, planners, centre-based service and support plans so you can understand what’s being discussed.

3. Get started early to give yourself plenty of time. You can use resources like the NDIS planning workbook to help you out.

4. Set yourself achievable goals and make a plan. Don’t forget to think big when you consider how you’d like your life to be and what you’d like to achieve.

5. Get all of your documentation together. Being prepared is vital to getting a good outcome so make sure have all of the relevant information in one place. Your occupational therapist will be able to help provide you with supporting documentation.

6. Reach out to your support network. You don’t have to go through this process alone and a trusted friend or relative can give you comfort.

7. Find a registered NDIS provider you can trust to guide you through the process and give you advice.

8. Try to stay positive! Through all of the negative information, there are some great stories of how people’s lives are being changed through the new system.

Optimal Living Therapy work closely with our clients to ensure their NDIS plan encompasses all of the therapy services they require to help them achieve their goals. You can find out more about the NDIS services we provide here.