Deaf Australia is pleased to make a submission to the NDIS review in regional, rural and remote communities. Deaf Australia operates in advocacy to ensure alignment in all areas of life to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as mandated by the United Nations (UN). Deaf Australia advocates for the right of Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing people who use Auslan to participate fully in their communities and to achieve a full social, economic, and civic life, as per Article 9: Accessibility, 21: Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information, and 29: Participation in political and public life.

Deaf Australia is pleased to take the opportunity to provide a submission into the proposed model of provider and worker registration with the NDIS. This model was proposed by the NDIS Review in 2023, as one initiative to reduce the risk of violence and exploitation of NDIS participants. Deaf Australia is concerned that this model will be presented as the key response to risk; we argue that as worthy an initiative as it stands, it is not enough on its own.

Deaf Australia has considerable experience with the NDIA and NDIS, having worked to advocate on behalf of the Deaf community and families with deaf children, with positive outcomes such as funding families to learn Auslan. Deaf Australia therefore welcomes yet another opportunity to provide a submission into the Getting Back on Track NDIS Bill, which was released earlier this year for review and feedback.