The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) met with Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCOs) and Independent Advisory Council (IAC) members as part of the Reforms for Outcomes (RFO) co-design program.
The DRCOs represented at the 23 February RFO program quarterly meeting were: A4 Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia, Australian Autism Alliance, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Blind Citizens Australia, Brain Injury Australia, Carers Australia, Children and Young People with Disability Australia, Community Mental Health Australia, Deaf Australia, Deafblind Australia, Deafness Forum Australia, Disability Advocacy Network Australia, Down Syndrome Australia, Every Australian Counts, First Peoples Disability Network, Inclusion Australia, JFA Purple Orange, Mental Health Australia, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum, People with Disability Australia, Physical Disability Australia, ReImagine Australia, Self Advocacy Resource Unit, Women with Disabilities Australia and Young People in Nursing Homes Alliance
Representatives from the IAC included: Leah van Poppel, Sharon Boyce, Gavin Burner, Leighton Jay, Samantha Jenkinson, Sylvana Mahmic, James Manders, Sam Paior, Dr George Taleporos, Mark Tonga
Apologies: Jennifer Cullen, Tricia Malowney (IAC members)
Representatives from the NDIA included: Rebecca Falkingham, Corri McKenzie, Aaron Verlin, Alex Rosenthal, Matt Wright, Kristy Cameron, Mitchell Clegg, Craig Hibbins, Kirsten Nield, Kitsa Papadopoulos, Anne Skordis.
This summary covers topics discussed on Friday 23 February 2024.
Summary key points
- RFO program members met as a group for the first time in 2024 to discuss the progress of RFO co-design reforms and the future of the co-design program.
- Members agreed to focus co-design efforts on shorter term initiatives, which the NDIA can deliver ahead of the Australian Government’s response to the NDIS Review and Disability Royal Commission.
- Members provided valuable feedback on how to improve the co-design process and experience. The NDIA committed to operational improvements in line with this feedback.
- Members discussed likely themes of future co-design reform work, based on the recommendations of the NDIS Review and Disability Royal Commission. This included possible changes to existing working groups and the need to establish new working groups.
Summary
Aaron Verlin, NDIA General Manager Co-design and Engagement, opened the meeting.
Item 1. Update from RFO program Working Group
Mr Verlin introduced RFO Working Group Co-Chairs to provide an update on behalf of their Working group.
Better Planning Working Group update, provided by Co-Chair Nick Avery, Every Australian Counts
Ms Avery provided the following updates:
- The Working Group has developed the Better Planning work plan.
