Equity and Inclusion Reference Group meeting bulletin, 25 February 2025

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Equity and Inclusion Reference Group (Reference Group) met online on 25 February 2025. They discussed:

  • what they have heard in their communities about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

  • how the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is progressing its First Nations strategy

  • how inclusion programs of work are progressing in the Agency.

Ms Leah van Poppel, IAC Principal Member and Jennifer Cullen, Reference Group Co-Chair, led the meeting.

What members have heard in their communities

Members reported that participants who receive unscheduled check-in phone calls are either worried about changes that the Agency could be making, or that the Agency will cancel their plans. There are reports some are blocking these incoming phone numbers out of fear.

Some participants feel plan managers are too controlling. There are concerns they are not always approving invoices which participants say are correct. The Agency said it needed to engage better with plan managers, so they have the right information.

Participants say they are still confused about recent legislation changes, and members urged the Agency to bring about future changes more gradually.

Members raised how participants feel there is a lack of support for First Nations participants and remote communities, who are often unaware of their rights.

Members shared their concerns about recent media and community attitude around diverse communities. The Reference Group resolved to work with the IAC to develop a position statement or advice in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

First Nations strategy

The Agency presented an update on the First Nations Strategy 2025-2030.With key commitments falling under the National Closing the Gap Agreement, the plan will be implemented in stages. The Agency’s First Nations Group is guided by the NDIS Review and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The Agency shared several updates, including:

  • that the First Nations Reference Group held its first meeting on 20-21 February

  • how the NDIA Board now has a member from the First Nations community

  • how it is prioritising recruitment and retention of First Nations people, and making sure cultural safety is a part of all NDIA services

  • how it is developing a First Nations pathway to NDIS participation.

Members encouraged the NDIA to continue engaging with First Nations communities.

Agency inclusion programs update

The Agency provided an update on its inclusion initiatives. This included recent work on a LGBTQIA+ and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) strategy.

The Agency is developing its intersectionality framework, they are drawing on the IAC advice on Improving equity in the NDIS.

The Agency is developing a Gender Equality strategy. There will be 4 key focus areas: access and active participation, First Nations women and girls, gender based violence, and planning across the life course.

More information on the Reference Group 

The Equity and Inclusion Reference Group will next meet on 14 May 2025. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.

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