Inconsistency with noise cancelling headphone being approved for people with Autism
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
Noise cancelling headphones seem to be a common item claimed under low cost assistive technology through the NDIS for people with Autism
This time however i was rejected, this was the email received from NDIS
"After consideration of the participant's circumstances and the physio therapists report, delegate is not satisfied this request meets the reasonable and necessary criteria of the NDIS Act 2013 due to not meeting 34(1).(e) and is declined.
Rule 5.1(d) requires that supports which relate to day-to-day living costs, which are not related to a participants’ disability support needs, cannot be funded in a plan.
Noise cancellation earphones are an item that average Australians with or without a disability can purchase for daily use. This item is NOT a DISABILITY-SPECIFIC support. Whilst it may used to address sensory issues, NDIS does not fund sensory equipment as there is not enough research or evidence to suggest that this is effective and will reduce the needs of other supports in the future."
Why is it usually approved, but in this case rejected?
Is it up to the individual NDIS worker to interpret the NDIS Act however they want?
How are these decisions made?
Yours faithfully,
Sam
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E: [11][NDIA request email]
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11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear Sam
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 24 October 2023, made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for copies of documents held by the
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Unfortunately, we are unable to release information regarding the contents
of the scope of your request:
“Noise cancelling headphones seem to be a common item claimed under low
cost assistive technology through the NDIS for people with Autism
This time however i was rejected, this was the email received from NDIS
"After consideration of the participant's circumstances and the physio
therapists report, delegate is not satisfied this request meets the
reasonable and necessary criteria of the NDIS Act 2013 due to not meeting
34(1).(e) and is declined.
Rule 5.1(d) requires that supports which relate to day-to-day living
costs, which are not related to a participants’ disability support needs,
cannot be funded in a plan.
Noise cancellation earphones are an item that average Australians with or
without a disability can purchase for daily use. This item is NOT a
DISABILITY-SPECIFIC support. Whilst it may used to address sensory issues,
NDIS does not fund sensory equipment as there is not enough research or
evidence to suggest that this is effective and will reduce the needs of
other supports in the future."
Why is it usually approved, but in this case rejected?
Is it up to the individual NDIS worker to interpret the NDIS Act however
they want?
How are these decisions made?”
We are only able to provide documents that exist on a NDIS file. Your
scope is requesting information only.
No documents exist on our system that specifically address the scope of
your request.
To receive more specific details or further information, you will need to
get in touch with the participant’s NDIS contact or Support Coordinator.
Otherwise, you can contact the NDIS National Call Centre to discuss this
further.
Further help
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or need
help.
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if
you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.
Kind regards
Ankit
Freedom of Information Officer
Parliamentary, Ministerial and FOI Branch
Government Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [2][NDIA request email]
[3]Title: NDIS delivered by the National Disability Insurance Agency
[4]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
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Dear Sam
Thank you for your request for information.
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your request. If you
require this in a different format, please let us know.
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.
Thank you.
Kind regards
Ankit
Freedom of Information Officer
Parliamentary, Ministerial and FOI Branch
Government Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [2][NDIA request email]
[3]Title: NDIS delivered by the National Disability Insurance Agency
[4]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[5]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic