NDIS “independent assessments” are being trialled across the country; requiring participants to be assessed by an allied health professional to determine eligibility. However, the proposed changes have been heavily criticised as “culturally incompetent” and “ill-conceived”, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

Instead of people submitting reports from their own doctors and medical assessments, “independent assessments” would see contracted providers decide individual eligibility for the scheme. The reforms have raised a string of concerns about the accessibility and cultural sensitivity of the NDIS. Acting 2SER Breakfast host Felix Shannon sat down with Associate Professor John Gilroy from the Centre of Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney, to hear more about the issue.