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Glossary of Terms

Knowing and understanding terms relating to the disability sector can be tricky. We're created a list of glossary terms to help lighten the load.

A

Access Request Decision

The NDIA's decision on whether a person meets the NDIS access requirements.

Activity Limitations

Difficulties an individual may have in executing activities.

Agency-Managed

When the NDIA manages the funding in a participant's plan.

Assistive Technology

Equipment that helps a person with disability perform daily tasks.

Access Request Form

The form used to apply for the NDIS.

Advocate

Someone who speaks or acts on behalf of a person with disability.

Annual Plan Review

A yearly reassessment of a participant's NDIS plan.

B

Behaviour Support Plan

A document outlining strategies to support a person with challenging behaviours.

Bulk Billing

When a healthcare provider accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for a service.

Bilateral Agreement

An agreement between the Commonwealth and state/territory governments about NDIS implementation.

C

Capacity Building

Supports that help participants build their independence and skills.

Carer

Someone who provides personal care, support, and assistance to a person with disability.

Choice and Control

A key principle of the NDIS, allowing participants to choose their supports and providers.

Community Participation

Involvement in local community activities and events.

Core Supports

Funding for everyday activities, current disability-related needs, and goals.

Capital Support

Funding for higher-cost pieces of assistive technology, equipment, or home/vehicle modifications.

Centrelink

The Australian Government agency responsible for delivering social security payments and services.

Chronic Condition

A long-lasting health condition or disease.

Complaint

A formal expression of dissatisfaction with NDIS supports or services.

D

Developmental Delay

A significant delay in a child's development.

Disability Support Pension

A Centrelink payment for people with permanent disabilities affecting their ability to work.

Disability

A condition that affects a person's ability to participate in daily activities.

E

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)

Supports for children under 7 with developmental delay or disability.

Eligibility

The criteria a person must meet to access the NDIS.

Evidence of Disability

Documentation that confirms a person's disability and its impact.

Early Childhood Partner

Organisations that deliver ECEI services for children under 7.

Episodic Disability

A disability with symptoms that come and go over time.

F

Functional Capacity

A person's ability to participate in different areas of life.

Formal Supports

Paid disability supports and services.

G

Goals

Objectives that participants aim to achieve with NDIS support.

Guardianship

Legal authority to make decisions on behalf of a person with disability.

Guardian

A person appointed to make decisions for someone unable to do so themselves.

H

Home Modifications

Changes to a participant's home to improve accessibility.

I

Independent Assessment

An assessment of a person's functional capacity by an independent health professional.

Informal Supports

Unpaid care and support provided by family, friends, and community.

Individual Living Options (ILO)

Flexible approaches to housing and support for NDIS participants.

Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC)

NDIS-funded activities that benefit the whole community.

J

Justice Liaison Officer

A staff member linking justice staff and the NDIA for participants in custody.

K

Key Worker

A main point of contact for coordinating a participant's supports and services.

L

Level of Function

A person's ability to perform activities in different life areas.

Local Area Coordinator (LAC)

A person who helps participants understand and access the NDIS.

M

Mainstream Services

General services available to all Australians, such as healthcare and education.

Multidisciplinary Team

A group of professionals from different disciplines working together to support a participant.

Mental Health Care Plan

A plan developed by a GP to manage a person's mental health condition.

N

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

The independent government agency that implements the NDIS.

NDIS Plan

A document outlining a participant's goals, supports, and funding.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

The body responsible for improving the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.

NDIS Appeals

The process for reviewing NDIS decisions.

NDIS Price Guide

A document outlining the maximum prices that can be charged for NDIS supports.

O

Occupational Therapy

Therapy that helps people participate in everyday activities.

P

Participant

A person who meets the access requirements and has an approved NDIS plan.

Permanent and Significant Disability

A lifelong disability that substantially impacts daily activities.

Plan Management

The way a participant's NDIS funding is managed.

Plan Reassessment

A review of a participant's NDIS plan, which can be initiated by the CEO or requested by the participant.

Provider

An individual or organisation delivering supports or services to NDIS participants.

Psychosocial Disability

A disability arising from mental health issues.

Participant Statement

A document outlining a participant's goals and aspirations.

Plan Implementation

The process of putting an NDIS plan into action.

Plan Nominee

Someone appointed to act on behalf of a participant in relation to their NDIS plan.

Plan Review

A regular reassessment of a participant's NDIS plan.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

A rare genetic disorder affecting development and behavior.

Psychosocial Recovery Coach

A support person who helps participants with psychosocial disability to build capacity and connect with services.

Q

Quality and Safeguards Framework

A system to ensure the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.

R

Reasonable and Necessary

The criteria used to determine which supports will be funded by the NDIS.

Registered Plan Management Provider

An organisation registered to help participants manage their NDIS funding.

Respite Care

Short-term care that gives regular carers a break.

Reasonable and Necessary Supports

Supports that are related to a participant's disability and represent value for money.

Registered Provider

A provider that has met NDIS requirements and can deliver certain supports.

S

Self-Management

When a participant manages their own NDIS funding.

Service Booking

An agreement between a participant and provider for the delivery of supports.

Support Coordination

Assistance to implement and manage supports in an NDIS plan.

Service Agreement

A contract between a participant and provider outlining the supports to be delivered.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Housing for people who require specialist housing solutions.

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Help with daily tasks to live as independently as possible.

T

Temporary Transformation Payment (TTP)

An additional payment to some providers to assist with NDIS transition costs.

Transport Funding

NDIS support to help participants travel to access the community or services.

Therapy Supports

Services that help improve a participant's function and independence.

U

Unregistered Provider

A provider that hasn't registered with the NDIS but can still provide some supports.

V

Vehicle Modifications

Changes to a vehicle to improve accessibility for a participant.

W

Worker Screening Check

A check required for certain workers in NDIS roles to ensure participant safety.

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