Capacity Building: 7 Ways NDIS Supports You Live Independently

Overwhelmed by life's hurdles? It happens to the best of us! But fret not because there's a beacon of hope for Australians with disabilities: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

If you are new to NDIS services in Melbourne, stick around as we explore the scheme more deeply. From personalized support plans to essential equipment, each insight we shared in this blog is a step towards a brighter, more empowered tomorrow.

So, let's dive in!

Types of NDIS Support

NDIS offers three primary funding categories in the plan, namely:

●       Core

●       Capacity Building

●       Capital

But let's focus on Capacity Building Support for now.

For starters, capacity building is one of the three primary funds of NDIS, which is again divided into many sub-categories. Unlike Core Supports, funds allocated to Capacity Building Supports can't be moved across categories. For instance, if you wish to claim soccer lessons under Increased Social & Community Participation, it must be included in your NDIS plan.

So, it's crucial to discuss which categories are included in your plan with your planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). Remember, all supports claimed must align with your disability and plan goals, meeting the NDIA's reasonable and necessary criteria. Take the help of your NDIS service in Melbourne for more accuracy.

How to Use Capacity Building Support?

The use of capacity-building funds differs from plan to plan, but here are 10 common ways you can use them.

1. Fun Activities and Hobbies

Your money from NDIS might pay for fun stuff like sports coaching, camps, joining clubs, or doing art. If you like horse riding or kindergym but money is a problem, NDIS could help you join in. It's about helping you do what you love and being part of your community.

2. Traditional and Modern Therapies

NDIS can also pay for your therapists, as it is a help considered crucial for building your capacity. For instance, an occupational therapist might teach you how to do things at home, like making a morning plan. Additionally, this category can also pay for less common therapies that are still helpful, like art or music therapy, for kids and grown-ups with different disabilities.

3. A Tablet

If your disability makes it harder for you to go to health appointments, a tablet is necessary for you to talk with people online. So, you could use your NDIS capacity-building funds to buy one. But first, your therapist needs to write a note saying you need it because of your disability.

There are strict rules about this, so it's best to talk to your NDIS service in Melbourne before buying anything to make sure you can get your money back later.

4. For Bettering Relationships

Even if you like doing things on your own, humans naturally want to be with others. Having friends and connecting with people makes us feel good about ourselves, helps us feel like we belong, and gives us confidence. It also stops us from feeling lonely, which is important for our mental health.

But if your disability makes it hard to make friends, you can use money from the Improved Relationships category to get help. This might mean talking to a psychologist, learning how to understand social cues and body language, or getting better at chatting and spending time with others.

5. For Training Caregivers

You can also use your funds to pay for training for your parents, carers, and helpers. This is considered a part of the Improved Daily Living category. This training might be about understanding difficult behaviours, learning how to communicate without words, or making decisions with support.

NDIS can also pay for up to six hours of training for people who support those with complex needs. This includes people who find it hard to communicate or need help with their behaviour or those who need special medical procedures.

6. Job Finding and Keeping

If your disability makes it hard to get a job, NDIS might help. They can pay for an NDIS service in Melbourne to help you with things like making a resume, getting ready for interviews, or learning skills you need for work, like using computers or doing office tasks.

7. Help with Finding a Home

With the economy being tough and finding a place to rent being hard, everyone could use some help with money and understanding the rental market. If necessary, you can have an NDIS service in Melbourne help you make decisions and find ways to reach your goals, like finding a place to live. They can even help you look at different rental places, understand rental agreements, and know what questions to ask landlords.

Final Word:

As you can see, NDIS is a vast framework designed to help people with disabilities in Australia. Using the funds, you can do a vast number of things to enhance your independence and choice in life. However, we urge you to understand the different types of funds available and the sub-categories involved in each before making a move.

You can seek an NDIS service in Melton to help you with the same but with better ease and efficiency. Empowering Care is one of the finest disability services available in Melton, Melbourne, and more locations.