The Give a Care Foundation - Combating social isolation for people with disabilities

Here you’ll find useful links for further information from supporting organizations.

What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

The NDIS has empowered people living with disability by guiding them to establish goals in their life, and identifying the supports required to achieve those goals. The NDIS also allows participants to choose their own service provider and decide how and when they want to receive their supports.

Who is eligible for the NDIS?

To be eligible for the NDIS you must meet these criteria:

aged between 7 and 65,
an Australian citizen or,
a Special or Permanent Category Visa holder or,
have a permanent disability.

Determine your eligibility here.

How does the NDIS work?

Individuals apply for access through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). If you are eligible, you will be granted NDIS Access and the NDIA will arrange a planning meeting with you to help understand your goals and circumstances, which will determine your funding plan.

What services and supports can I access under the NDIS?

Participants receive funding in their plans to access ‘reasonable and necessary’ services and supports to help achieve their goals.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/becoming-ndis-provider/am-i-ready/supports-and-services-funded-ndis

Is the NDIS means-tested?

No, the NDIS provides funding relating to a participant’s disability, goals and the supports required, irrespective of financial means.

Will my funding roll-over if I don’t use it over 12 months?

Not generally. Your plan is reviewed every 12 months, and funding is adjusted based on your circumstances.

Client Incident Management System

If an incident happens with a client, contact GAC immediately on 0447 277 123 and call 000 if serious.

An online form will need to be completed within 48 hours of the incident occurring and our Operations Manager will send you further information.

The form and further information can be found at www.cims.vic.gov.au

Disability Advocacy Network Australian (DANA)

DANA is a network of organisations throughout Australia that undertakes or provides individual
advocacy, systemic advocacy, self advocacy, citizen advocacy, legal advocacy or family advocacy.

It supports and strengthens independent disability advocacy organisations in their work of
advocating for and with people with disability so that they are valued and included members of the
community, their fundamental needs are met and their human rights respected.

Find a full list of Victorian Advocacy Organisations here www.dana.org.au/victoria/

Department of Healthy and Human Services (DHHS)

The DHHS are helping create a more inclusive Victoria where people with disability get the
opportunities they deserve – while assisting families, carers and organisations in their transition
to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Visit the DHHS website here www.dhhs.vic.gov.au

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent statutory agency. Their role is to
implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will support a better life for
hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability and their families
and carers.

Visit the NDIA website here www.ndis.gov.au

Local Care Coordinators (LAC’s)

The role of the Local Area Coordinator (LAC) is to assist people to navigate the NDIS. They can
help with planning and coordination for people with disability to maximise the choice and control
over the services they use. This includes supporting people with disability to navigate mainstream
services and increase their capability to be an active part of their community.

The ECEI and LAC partner for the Bayside and Mornington Peninsula region is the Brotherhood of St
Laurence and you can find a complete list of office locations by visiting their website www.ndis.bsl.org.au

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body with responsibilities under three laws: The Equal Opportunity Act, The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act and The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

Services provided by the Commission include:

a free telephone Enquiry Line
a free, fair and timely dispute resolution service
information and education about equal opportunity, racial and religious vilification and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
education, training and consultancy services.

Visit their website here www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au

WorkSafe

WorkSafe Victoria plays a critical role in the lives of Victorian employers and workers – as the state’s health and safety regulator and as the manager of Victoria’s workers compensation scheme.

Visit the WorkSafe website here www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

Disability Services Commissioner

The Disability Services Commissioner (DSC) is an independent oversight body resolving complaints and promoting the right of people with a disability to be free from abuse.

Visit their website here www.odsc.vic.gov.au

Office of the Public Advocate

the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) has promoted the rights, interests and dignity of people with disability (specifically intellectual impairment, mental illness, brain injury, physical disability or dementia) living in Victoria.

Visit their website here www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au

Victorian Ombudsman

The Ombudsman is accountable to Parliament, rather than the government of the day. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about the administrative actions and decisions taken by government departments and agencies and about the conduct or behaviour of their staff.

For more information visit www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au

Office of the Public Advocate (Victoria) Guide to the NDIS

The aim of this guide is to outline when decision-making support, advocacy and substitute decision-making will be needed for potential and current NDIS participants who have significant cognitive disability. It does this in the context of each possible decision-making stage within the NDIS participant pathway.

Download the guide OPA_Guide to NDIS decision-making_WEB

Interpreters

If clients require an Interpreter or Auslan assistance we can facilitate this on request. You can also find more information on the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters website here www.naati.com.au

Advocacy is speaking, acting or writing with minimal conflict of interest on behalf of the interests of a disadvantaged person or group, in order to promote, protect and defend the welfare of and justice for either the person or group.

Approaches to disability advocacy can be categorised into six broad models:

Citizen advocacy: matches people with disability with volunteers.
Family advocacy: helps parents and family members advocate on behalf of the person with
disability for a particular issue.
Individual advocacy: upholds the rights of individual people with disability by working on
discrimination, abuse and neglect.
Legal advocacy: upholds the rights and interests of individual people with disability by
addressing the legal aspects of discrimination, abuse and neglect.
Self advocacy: supports people with disability to advocate for themselves, or as a group.
Systemic advocacy: seeks to remove barriers and address discrimination to ensure the rights
of people with disability.

Following is a list of Victorian Advocacy Organisations:

Companion Card

Are you eligible for a Companion Card?

The Companion Card is for people with significant and permanent disability who can demonstrate they need high-level and life-long support from a carer when attending most community activities or events.

To find out more about the Companion Card please Click here for the Companion Card Application Form

NDIS Resource Hub