“It’s great to be employed here because having a disability, I have a lot of knowledge to offer and I can be a strong advocate for locals because everyone knows me around here,” she said with a laugh.

This job means a lot to me. I really feel like I’m contributing. “

Stella Raymond, a proud Indigenous woman born and raised in Alice Springs, is the ‘face’ of the NDIS office in Tennant Creek.  See Case Study Below :

Articles are from Page 19  NACCHO Aboriginal Health Newspaper out Wednesday 16 November , 24 Page lift out Koori Mail : or download

naccho-newspaper-nov-2016 PDF file size 9 MB

The National Disability Insurance Scheme, commonly referred to as the NDIS, is set to transform the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with a disability.

The NDIS will provide all Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to enjoy an ordinary life. NDIS participants include people with intellectual, physical, sensory and psychosocial disabilities.

It will help people with disability achieve their goals; whether it be greater independence, community involvement, employment and improved wellbeing.

Supports funded by the NDIS may include personal care and support, access to the community, therapy services and essential equipment.

The NDIS will progressively roll out across Australia over the next three years to ensure the Scheme is successful and sustainable. People will move to the NDIS at different times depending on where they live.

The NDIS is already transforming lives in the Barkly region in the Northern Territory, and from January 2017, will start to roll out in East Arnhem. Ultimately the Scheme will support more than 6,500 people across the Territory.

Once fully implemented , the NDIS is expected to support 460,000 people nationwide.

Staff from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have worked with Aboriginal elders and community members to roll out the Scheme in Indigenous communities, which has been vital to building local understanding and ownership. Seventy five per cent of NDIA staff working in the Barkly region are Indigenous, including Stella Raymond.

National Disability Insurance Agency Chief Executive Officer David Bowen, said that the Scheme was much-welcomed by people with disability, their families and carers.

“The NDIS is exciting because, at long last, people with disability will have choice and control over the supports they need to live an ordinary life,” Mr Bowen said

“The Scheme is revolutionising the way we support people with disability in Australia – for the first time, all Australians with disability will have equity of access to support, no matter where they live.”

To become an NDIS participant, you must meet certain access criteria. For more information, contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or visit www.ndis.gov.au

Case study: Stella Raymond

Stella Raymond, a proud Indigenous woman born and raised in Alice Springs, is the ‘face’ of the NDIS office in Tennant Creek. Known for her smiling and welcoming demeanour, Stella was one of the first NDIS participants in the Northern Territory and later got a job with the NDIA.

“I’ve been an NDIS participant since the Scheme started here in the NT two years ago, and I’ve been working for the NDIS for 11 months now,” Stella said. “It’s been great. I’m a Business Support Officer. I do all the receptionist/admin work – I answer phones, check emails and I help my colleagues out when they need a hand.’

“The NDIS has helped me out with my new wheelchair. It will have automatic wheels and it’s going to make it a lot easier to get around,” Stella said.

“It’s great to be employed here because having a disability, I have a lot of knowledge to offer and I can be a strong advocate for locals because everyone knows me around here,” she said with a laugh.

“This job means a lot to me. I really feel like I’m contributing.

“At home, and right through school, I’ve been treated just like everyone else,” Stella said. “I’ve had a really great life and I have no regrets but it’s nice to have a great job at the NDIS and to know, as a participant, I’m covered by the Scheme for li

Learn more about these NACCHO programs  at the  NACCHO Members Conference in Melbourne