The NDIS needs radical transformation into a sustainable and regenerative system of support, according to a new report launched by DANA and published by Citizen Network Research.

Commissioned by DANA as part of our contribution to the NDIS Review, the report Redesigning the NDIS was launched on 29th August in Melbourne.

The report has been co-authored by Dr Simon Duffy, global expert on self-directed support, and Dr Mark Brown of the Summer Foundation. The report explains, from an international perspective, why the current design of the NDIS is unsustainable and offers a regenerative vision for its reform. 

In the report’s Foreword, Jeff Smith CEO of DANA, writes how the report is premised on the idea that people with disability should be co-creators in the iteration (and iterations) of the NDIS.

“This in itself is not new, of course – in recent months, many commentators and analysts have made a similar call,” said Mr Smith.

Co-author Dr Mark Brown, who is a Senior Research Fellow at the Summer Foundation and a participant in the NDIS, has called for citzenship, community and inclusion to enliven the next NDIS.

“The report is premised on the idea that people with disability should be co-developers of the NDIS. This would see the system working within an overall budget that has been agreed with the disability community,” said Dr Brown.

Dr Simon Duffy said during the launch event in Melbourne, that there is nothing like the NDIS in the world.

Commenting on the report, Dr Duffy said it is essential that the disability community create a regenerative vision for the NDIS.

“To bring human rights to life we must invest in people and communities and grow a culture of inclusion and citizenship for all,” Dr Duffy said.

A recording of the official launch will be available to the public.

DANA would like to thank Dr Simon Duffy and Dr Mark Brown for this optimistic report, as well as Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM and Natalie Wade who joined the panel discussion at the launch event.