Optimising self-directed funding for the long-term disabled: briefing document

People with long-term disabilities have become increasingly frustrated with the inadequate support services provided by the disability sector. In particular, people with long-term disabilities want to have support services which met their needs as well as greater choice and control in the decisions around them. Over the last five years the popularity of self-directed funding has increased significantly. In 2011/12 the Australian Government made a commitment to implement a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as advised through an inquiry by the Productivity Commission to have full rollout country wide by 2018. Self-directed funding is used as a mechanism to promote self-determination and empowerment in people with long-term disabilities and to facilitate their living in the community independently. Self-directed funding can be provided by an individual package held by a provider, by an individual budget held by the person to spend through providers or by direct payments to spend on the open market. The implementation of self-directed funding models has been implemented in various forms over the past couple of decades, including the piloting of small scale programs and the introduction of larger scale programs by government bodies or departments in specific disability groups.  Self-directed funding models are strongly established in the UK, USA and Western Australia. The inclusion of infrastructure supports such as independent brokers, financial intermediaries and ongoing support for clients are beneficial features of established models, particularly for people with complex needs. Despite their popularity, there is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of self-directed funding models in practice, and no evidence comparing different models.  No single model has been demonstrated to be superior to another, likely in part because the cultural and political context in which a scheme is introduced has a strong influence on its design, implementation and outcomes. Despite this, there are consistent indications that offering flexible and creative options within models is the best approach for ensuring people with more complex and potentially unmet needs, have an opportunity to take up self-directed funding successfully. There are limited studies of the feasibility and impact of self-directed funding for people in the compensable sector with catastrophic injuries. Qualitative studies using interviews or questionnaires reveal that, generally, people with long-term disabilities recognise that self-directed funding should be one option among the range of options for receiving necessary support services; however, there is variability in the stated willingness to take on self-directed funding themselves. A lack of awareness of what is involved in self-directed funding and how it can be managed has been reported. In addition, it has been suggested that not all people have the skills, education or experience to manage self-directed funding, hence training and information sessions that are understandable and comprehensive are likely to be necessary in order to encourage uptake.  This NTRI Forum aims to consider the factors which influence the uptake of self-directed funding by the long-term disabled. Two questions were identified for deliberation in a Stakeholder Dialogue: 1. What are the barriers and facilitators to optimal implementation and uptake of self- directed funding in Australia and New Zealand? 2. How can knowledge of barriers and facilitators be used to address these challenges

Assistive technology pricing: is it fair and reasonable?

Concerns about the price of assistive technology products (AT, also known as aids and equipment) arise regularly in public policy discourse and the media. These papers present the available evidence and essential contextual information regarding AT pricing in Australia.  Overview Concerns about the price of assistive technology products arise regularly in public policy discourse and the media. With the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Aged Care Reforms, clarity about the fairness (or not) of existing AT retail prices is central to ensuring effective AT public policy development and implementation for the one in ten Australians who rely on AT to do everyday tasks that others take for granted. Available evidence indicates that while AT can be expensive, it is in fact cheaper in Australia than in other comparable countries. Effective price comparisons require comparing like-with-like, not only in relation to the product but also services and other costs that are incorporated into retail prices. The Queensland Competition Authority recently compared like-with-like AT prices and found Australia was 24% lower than the best available overseas price when transportation to Australia was included in the calculation.  ATSA price comparisons using a different method produced similar results with Australian prices on average between 14-27% cheaper. Notwithstanding the general impression that the AT industry is about \u27aids and equipment, hardware and gadgets\u27, it is largely a service-based industry with an extensive range of services aimed at ensuring a good match between the individual and their AT incorporated into the retail price. The extent of these services is described in detail in the background paper. Yes, consumers can buy AT on the internet from internet-only AT sellers in the USA for about half the price of purchasing through a retail shop-front in Australia, but when transportation costs are factored in along with the lack of coverage by Australia\u27s strong consumer protection laws, the difficulty and costs of enforcing overseas warranties, and the purchaser carrying all responsibility for ensuring appropriateness of the AT for their needs; assembly/adjustment/customisation; sourcing spares, maintenance and repairs; training in safe use, etc. these may not be the bargains they appear to be. Particularly in relation to more complex AT such as a light-weight customised manual wheelchair for a very active person, a motorised wheelchair with customised seating and complex controls, or even something \u27simpler\u27 such as a hoist to help someone get in and out of bed, or a pressure care cushion, AT retailers typically trial and test a variety of products and options with the consumer and their therapist, with free in-home trials over a period of days or weeks commonplace to ensure the best available solution is achieved

Grade Retention: Knowledge and Attitudes of Teacher Educators and Preservice Teachers

Grade retention, otherwise known as “failing” or “being held back”, is a common practice for schools when they feel a student is not performing at or meeting school standards. While grade retention is a popular practice, very little research supports the use of it as an effective intervention over other interventions (Jimerson, 2001). A survey, structured around Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985) was distributed to preservice teachers and teacher educators at a Midwestern university to examine their knowledge and beliefs about grade retention, as well as the prevalence of the topic of grade retention in teacher training. Results from the study indicated that Preservice Teachers were somewhat likely to consider grade retention, but were not sure of the research behind it. Teacher educators were not as likely to consider grade retention and indicated that they are familiar with the research. Results also indicated that grade retention is not consistently covered in the teacher training program. This study shows that preservice teachers may not be prepared to make informed decisions about grade retention because it is not covered in coursework and they are not knowledgeable about the effects

Методический подход к выбору оптимальной модели управления городской агломерацией на основании свойств объекта управления

Предлагается методический подход к выбору оптимальной модели управления городской агломерацией исходя из свойств объекта управления. На основе трудов 18 исследователей найдено 105 упоминаний о свойствах агломерации, влияющих на выбор модели управления ею. Свойства сгруппированы в 22 подгруппы. Также найдено 40 упоминаний о  зависимостях между свойством агломерации и моделью управления. Сформулировано 22 зависимости. Для свойств и зависимостей найдено статистическое распределение. На базе этих данных сформирован методический подход, позволяющий проранжировать модели управления с точки зрения их оптимальности для разных состояний агломерации. Подход апробирован на примере Самарско-Тольят-тинской агломерации

Evaluation of the Quality Strategy for Disability Employment Services and Rehabilitation Services: Final Report

[Excerpt] The Quality Strategy for disability employment and rehabilitation services is part of a reform agenda announced in the 1996-1997 Federal Budget with the overall aim of improving the participation of people with disabilities in the workforce. The Quality Strategy was designed to address issues raised in a 1997 report, Assuring Quality, prepared by the Disability Quality and Standards Working Party. The goal of the Quality Strategy is to ensure that people with disabilities can seek assistance and support from a range of Australian Government-funded employment services certified against the Disability Services Standards. The aims of introducing the Quality Strategy were to improve service quality and to guarantee that people with disabilities could access appropriate quality services that provide high level and appropriate support. The introduction of the Quality Strategy reinforced the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can access the same rights and opportunities as other Australians, including being appropriately supported in the workplace. The Quality Strategy has three components: ◗ a quality assurance system (introduced on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2002 and legislated from 1 July 2002, now applying to all disability employment services and CRS Australia); ◗ continuous improvement activities; and ◗ complaints and referrals mechanisms (the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service and the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline)

Mimosa 1979

The JSU Yearbook Collection spans the years from 1926 to the present. The publication began in 1926 as the Teacola (some volumes spelled Teacoala ) and continued under this title through 1933. The yearbook appears to have ceased printing after that year; the student newspaper took the name Teacola (later changed to the Collegian and finally the Chanticleer) and began publication in 1934. The yearbook started up again in 1947 under the name Mimosa, first biennially, then annually. The Library holds all volume years that were printed: 1926-1933, 1947-1948, 1950, 1952-present.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/lib-ac-yearbook/1037/thumbnail.jp

Mimosa 1980

The JSU Yearbook Collection spans the years from 1926 to the present. The publication began in 1926 as the Teacola (some volumes spelled Teacoala ) and continued under this title through 1933. The yearbook appears to have ceased printing after that year; the student newspaper took the name Teacola (later changed to the Collegian and finally the Chanticleer) and began publication in 1934. The yearbook started up again in 1947 under the name Mimosa, first biennially, then annually. The Library holds all volume years that were printed: 1926-1933, 1947-1948, 1950, 1952-present.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/lib-ac-yearbook/1038/thumbnail.jp