2023 Review

Written By Louise Gronold

2023 Outback Independent Living (OIL) made great progress toward our vision, that ‘People with disaiblity, belong & thrive in outback Qld’.

Through the work OIL achieved since its inception, OIL discovered that for many people with disability in outback Qld, their NDIS Plan was not an accurate depiction of their needs and goals. This resulted in OIL’s strategies broadening to include encouraging and helping NDIS Participants to have their plans reviewed and updated, so their NDIS Plans included all of the services and supports they need, even if these services are not currently available in their local area or outback Qld at all.

OIL’s priority is very much still to deliver living options such as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL), Individualised Living Option (ILO) and short term accommodation (STA) or respite. It is our intention that, although it poses a significant challenge, the discovery and rectification of inaccurate NDIS Plans will result in positive, hopeful, Plans for the future of people with disability in outback Qld. NDIS Plans lay the foundation of data with which to direct and attract services and resources.

 

MAY 2023: OIL contracts local Support Officer for Outback Qld

Until May 2023, OIL achieved signficant recognition, established itself in the region and is setting up strong foundations toward being a long term sustainable organisation to support people with disability in outback Qld. These steps all happened thanks to our motivated Management Board and passionate Brisbane based (less than part-time!) admin/support officer and Secretary, Katie Grehan.

However, 2023 saw a small injection of funds from the State Government enabled OIL to engage Barcaldine local Louise Gronold, for 20 hours a week to support OIL’s vision. Louise’s role is to engage with and support people with disability across outback Qld. Her role, like OIL’s vision is broad and among other tasks includes:

  • meeting, engaging and listening to people with disability and their familes and carers to understand issues, direct to relevant services and supports,

  • refering people with disability to NDIS and other services

  • marketing and raise the awareness of OIL’s vision and strategies across outback Qld communities

  • researching and progressing living options

  • represent people with disability in outback Qld to government agencies, NDIA and service providers

 

OCT 2023: OIL becomes the Peak Body for People with Disability in Outback Qld

The issues experienced by people with disability and their familes and carers in outback Qld were acknolwedged and assisted when the Qld Government recognised and funded OIL to be the Peak Body for People with disability in Outback Qld.

This is a signficant step by the Qld Government as it acknowledges not only the lack of support in outback Qld from NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency - who runs NDIS) and State services (eg there are no Partners in Community (PitC) or Local Area Cooridnators (LAC) in outback Qld, but it also acknowleges the role, vision and activites of OIL.

OIL is listed as a peak bosy here: https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/adults/peak-body-support

 

Issues to be addressed with the NDIA and Governments

OIL has been made aware of and identified a number of issues to be addressed and solved, in partnership with the State and/or Federal Governments and the NDIA. Solving these issues will make navigating the NDIS and achieving a positive and fulfilling life in Outback Qld attainable and much easier.

Issues identified to date, revolve around 2 key areas; 1 - inaccurate NDIS Plans and 2- the lack of choice and control of services and supports in Outback Qld.

OIL will continue to pursue the following issues in 2024:

  • NDIS Plan reviews and updates to ensure acuracy and that they reflect the Participants life goals

  • absence of or lack of choice for fully accessible SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) and short term accommodation (respite)

  • NDIS Plan living option ratios that are impossible to achieve in outback Qld (and probably many other regional and remote regions) whilst maintaining choice and control for Participants.

  • not enough support workers across the region

  • options for friends and family to be paid support workers

  • support coordination issues related to poor service and/or remote support coordination not familiar with outback Qld

  • few employment opportunities for people with disability

  • supply not meeting demand for specialists and allied health services

  • communication, directing traffic across various departments, organisations and services via an Outback Qld Disability Community of Practice

Louise Gronold
Next

Dept Units - Longreach