Outrage over NDIS funding test performed by unqualified staff

In a big shake-up of the NDIS, Aussies face personal questions from unqualified assessors in a new tool being tested. SEE THE VIDEO AND 28 QUESTIONS THE NDIA WON’T ANSWER

EXCLUSIVE: NDIS participants will likely have to answer questions about whether they can get on or off the toilet by themselves or fold washing as part of a controversial new interview which will help determine how much funding they get.

Disability advocates and allied health professionals have slammed the assessment to be rolled out in stages from mid next year, as a “human experiment” conducted by unqualified assessors.

It comes as the National Disability Insurance Agency, refused to answer 28 crucial questions from this masthead about the new I-CAN tool, designed by the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies.

Instead, the agency reiterated that the assessment tool, refined over two decades, will be simpler and fairer by removing the need for participants to submit numerous medical reports, which last year former NDIA CEO Rebecca Falkingham admitted planners didn’t have time to fully read.

NDIS particpants are upset after seeing a test of the new assessment tool. Picture: Thinkstock

Revelations that assessors will not be required to be qualified allied health professionals, only that they must have “soft skills” – i.e. be able to communicate well – have alarmed the disability community.

The tool for those aged 16 and over has no fixed interview questions, rather 12 subject areas – including mobility, domestic life, self care, communication, general tasks, behaviour, mental and physical health.

Assessors can choose to question a participant if they feel it is relevant to their disability. They will then grade them on their answers.

In a sample I-CAN report featuring a fictitious NDIS participant called John Baker, who has Down syndrome, it concludes he is able to move around the house by himself but needs a handrail to help himself get up off the toilet. He is able to fold washing, but has difficulty opening jars. And, he likes to watch Home & Away and mow his brother’s lawn.

A sample I-CAN report featuring a fictitious NDIS participant.

An example of what graders will write in their assessment.

Participants will be graded on how they manage daily tasks.

The sample report’s description of the participant.

More than 5000 people have signed a petition calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the new tool and transparency around how the plan budget will be generated.

The NDIA has started secret tests of the tool on volunteer participants, with those involved signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Petition signatory Shirley Humphris, who is allied health trained, said the new assessment needs public scrutiny.

“This is a human experiment on a vulnerable community for whom an inaccurate support assessment could mean neglect, harm or even death,” Ms Humphris said.

“The worry is they’re going to take those numbers and swap them into an algorithm and it’s going to spit out the funding.”

Sarah Collison, an occupational therapist who has undergone I-CAN training, believes the interviews should be undertaken by an allied health professional.

Sarah Collison, an occupational therapist who has done the I-CAN training, said a fair outcome relies heavily on the skills of the assessor.

“I’ve been an OT for 20 years and I assess people in their own homes,” Ms Collison said. “As I walk up to the front door I’ve already noticed the rubbish in the front garden, I can see if they struggle to open the door.

“I don’t know how a plumber or a hairdresser who has done a training course will be able to do what I do from a video conversation.”

Professor Jason Thompson, from the University of Melbourne, appeared on a webinar last week, saying researchers will continue to “tweak” the tool after it’s rolled out, prompting fears that participants will be “guinea pigs”.

A spokeswoman for the university said all research is subject to its standard ethics review and approval process.

An NDIA spokeswoman said the agency, the University of Melbourne and the Centre of Disability Studies are working together to consider and test modifications to the tool.

Originally published as Outrage over NDIS funding test performed by unqualified staff