The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) changed the way disability support is perceived all over the world. It has set the precedent for quality, efficiency and outcomes in disability care. With the help of the NDIS, people with disabilities can improve their capacity to lead normal lives and exercise choice over the care they receive. But when it comes to people with psychosocial disabilities and the NDIS, there is still a long way to go in terms of accessibility and inclusivity.
The term ‘psychosocial disability’ is used to characterise impairments that may result from mental health issues. Anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post- traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia and social phobia can result in psychosocial disabilities. It can severely impact a person’s capacity for employment, ability to go to school or build healthy social relationships. Since access to the NDIS is determined by a functional, practical evaluation of what a person can and cannot accomplish, people with anxiety disorders could be eligible for the NDIS. But they should be able to provide evidence that they have significantly reduced functional capacity in six domains listed by the NDIS namely mobility, communication, learning, social interaction, self-care and self-management. The NDIS may also need corroboration regarding the permanency of your disability condition. Though it may seem like an uphill battle to gain access to the services, help is always available for prospective participants.
Registered NDIS service providers like Aastha can help prospective NDIS participants to figure out the nuances of eligibility conditions and walk them through the process. Here at Aastha, we believe that mental health is as important as one’s physical health and we are constantly striving to make the NDIS journey easier for our clients. Contact us today to know more about access to the NDIS and psychosocial disabilities.