The NDIS and Community Participation
Social engagement improves a person’s overall well-being and helps them feel more connected to their community. It can also help people develop new skills and increase their independence.
The NDIS provides funding specifically for community participation in two different support categories: Core Supports and Capacity Building. This article will focus on the latter.
What is ndis community participation?
Innovative community participation NDISenables people to connect with others and create a sense of belonging. You can learn a new skill, explore your hobbies, or even volunteer in your community. The key is to choose activities that you are interested in and that align with your NDIS plan goals.
NDIS community participation funding is found in the CORE and CAPACITY BUILDING categories of your support budget under Support Category 9. It is also called “Assistance with Social and Community Participation”.
The purpose of this support is to help you participate in social activities, community events, and other experiences that promote meaningful connections and a sense of community belonging. You will work with your NDIS planner to identify the specific support you need. This will include a support worker to assist you with attending these activities. You may also need assistance with transport, equipment, or other access requirements.
What does ndis community participation funding cover?
Community participation is an important part of any life, but it’s not always easy for people with disabilities to get out and enjoy themselves. This is why the NDIS provides funding to help participants access community activities that they might otherwise be unable to do.
NDIS community participation funding is often found under either the Core Supports or Capacity Building Supports categories. In most cases, the funds will be provided by your plan management agency or LAC.
Generally, community participation funds can be used to pay for the costs associated with attending and participating in community activities. This can include things like transport, communication support (including Auslan and interpreting), equipment and more. However, it is important to remember that these funds cannot be used to cover the cost of the actual activity itself. For example, you can’t use your community participation funding to pay for concert tickets or class fees for a woodworking course. These costs are normally covered by other NDIS supports.
What can ndis community participation funding not cover?
A key feature of the NDIS is that it can fund services that are reasonable and necessary to help participants meet their goals. This includes support services to help them access community activities and social activities. It also covers home modification to help make living at home easier. This can include things like additional railings on a staircase, or a ramp. It can also cover personal care and hygiene items such as continence products, or low cost assistive technology.
Capacity building supports can also be used for community participation activities, such as tuition fees for art classes or sports coaching. These activities can build a participant’s independence and help them develop new skills.
The NDIS can also provide funds to hire a support worker to attend community activities with a participant. This funding can be found in the Core Supports and Capacity Building Supports categories of a participant’s plan. It can be claimed hourly, and the rate will vary based on the needs of the participant.
How can ndis community participation funding be used?
The NDIS includes a community participation budget under its core supports category. This can be used to fund a support worker that helps participants access leisure, social or recreational activities in the community.
This is one of the most popular NDIS supports for people with disabilities, and it has been proven to improve a person’s overall quality of life by breaking down boredom and decreasing feelings of isolation. It is important to work closely with a qualified and experienced Support Coordinator to understand how the NDIS community participation funding can be best utilised for your individual goals.
However, it’s important to note that this funding is not intended to cover costs of coaching or course fees for activities such as sports classes and art workshops. Only certain expenses that are deemed reasonable and necessary can be included under this category, such as the cost of a woodworking class or the time required to accompany a participant to attend their TAFE course.
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