PRESS RELEASE: Critical NDIS gaps highlighted by the winner of “The Most Outstanding Provider of Individualised Psychological Care in Australia in 2022.”

Dr Sandra Henderson, a psychologist from Toowoomba in regional QLD, with multiple disabilities including Multiple Sclerosis and severe chronic pain, does a considerable amount of NDIS work. She has recently won the Enablement Award for “The Most Outstanding Provider of Individualised Psychological Care in Australia for 2022,” for her work in the disability sector. The NDIS is a game changer for many people, but there is still a huge gap that exists for our nation’s poorest, disabled population, as many are still unable to access the NDIS, due to the inability to pay for the assessments necessary to apply for its help. The assessment processes to demonstrate NDIS eligibility for each disabled Australian, are complex, requiring both medical and allied health reports, which are costly, are not covered by Medicare, and can cost many thousands of dollars. It is impossible to access NDIS funding without these reports. Dr Henderson is currently working with other like-minded health practitioners on innovative initiative/s to start to address this gap. We strongly believe in the old adage of “mates help mates,” and that Australians are generous by nature. However, raising awareness of this critical gap is our starting point. Our initiatives, which will be released in 2023, we hope, will be an important starting point, towards seeing that the Australian generosity reaches these people in need. It goes without say that the task ahead is daunting. As such, we would appreciate any media assistance to ensure more people are made aware of the financial divide preventing our poorest, disabled Australians from accessing the NDIS. Greater awareness is critical at both the state and federal levels, because it starts the ball rolling towards better outcomes for financially disadvantaged disabled Australians who are often lonely and are house bound.