What does "choice and control" actually mean?

Under the NDIS, "choice and control" is a term used to give participants power over the pursuit of personal goals, and the planning, engagement and delivery of supports.

This means, you have "choice and control" over where, when and by whom the supports and services you need are provided.

The community would assume that this is where people living with a disability would choose who takes them into the community as this is what we all see.

However, the choice and control stretches so much further than that.

Imagine wanting to work and hold down meaningful employment, this is your choice of course.

IN OTHER NEWS:

You then have a conversation with your support coordinator or support provider and they say "no" guess what?

This is where the control comes in - you can choose to change support coordinators or support provider to one that researches, guides you and really has the same vision as you do with your life.

This week I had many conversations with some amazing NDIS participants around the Riverina.

They expressed that they were not happy with their current arrangements with their life but, they were told that they had to wait until their NDIS review came up to change anything as the people that they had intrusted in had informed them of this.

Vulnerable people not being assisted or guided or worse, guided in the wrong direction.

The good news is there are some amazing people in the disability sector.

My advice to people living with a disability or have a loved one living with a disability - reach out and chat to someone that will advocate for you.

I am always up for a chat with participants and families, and I am fortunate to have an amazing team alongside me that share the same vision.

Choice and control on someone's life should be a given right, not something we have to fight for.

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