FAQ
All staff members of The Bridge are responsible for upholding your legal and human rights. We accept responsibility to create an environment for you that is safe and where work practices aim to prevent any form of abuse or neglect. The Bridge has policies and procedures in place to protect your rights and respond to concerns about abuse or neglect. Sometimes an incident occurs during service delivery that impacts our workers or participants. This could be a hazard, an accident or an injury. If you are involved in an incident during service delivery our workers will assist you. It’s ok to speak up!
We welcome your feedback about our services. We want to know if we are meeting your expectations or if there are areas for improvement. You can provide feedback directly to your service or you can provide feedback via our contact page.
When you attend our services, we want to be sure that we have all the required information to support you properly, including if you take medications or require assistance with managing your health. If you have a diagnosed condition such as Epilepsy, Diabetes, Asthma or Anaphylaxis we will need you to provide us with a current Health Management Plan prepared by your treating doctor so that we are aware of the treatment to provide you in the event you need assistance during service provision.
The currency of health information is checked with you each year and we may request a review if there is a change in your health status. Otherwise, we require Health Management Plans to be updated every 3 years.
The Bridge recognises and values diversity and is committed to the participation and inclusion of all members of the community within our services.
This includes recognising cultural and religious customs, supporting people who speak English as a second language, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/gender diverse, and Intersex (LGBTI).
Please let us know if there are ways’ we can meet your individual needs, including by using a language interpreter, or other type of support.
In order to provide support services, we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). More information can be found in our primary Privacy Policy.
We can provide interpreting services in your preferred language on request.
YES! We will work with you to develop a package of supports to suit your needs. We will help you identify your goals and how we can work together to achieve them. If you don’t receive funding, we can also provide support through Fee for Service. This allows you to use your own money to take part in any of our services.
Some of our services are offered in groups. These services are usually arranged for small groups in various places – either at one of our sites or in the local community. Some activities may have an additional cost. The Bridge will provide you with a list of the necessary fees and we can work out an affordable plan with you so that you can take part in the activities you are interested in.
When you call us, we will discuss the options available based on your circumstances.
NDIS services at The Bridge are charged in line with the NDIS Price Guide click on link. Our prices change in line with any price guide changes.
The Bridge will apply TTP pricing where TTP is applicable.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australia wide scheme that will support people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. The NDIS will give people with disability more choice and control over how, when and where supports are received, and provides certainty that they will receive the support they need over their lifetime.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has been formed to oversee the implementation of the NDIS. The NDIA is responsible for determining eligibility for the NDIS and undertaking planning with people with disability. Staff will assist participants to access the agreed supports identified in their plan and facilitate payment of providers if required.
If you are eligible for the NDIS you will receive funding on an annual basis to purchase reasonable and necessary supports that will help people with disability to pursue their goals, achieve increased independence and help them to participate in their community both socially and economically. The support can include education, equipment, health, well-being, employment and social participation.
The NDIS will provide funding to people who are 0-64 years of age, who have a significant or permanent disability and who need help with everyday activities. This includes people whose disability is attributed to intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical impairment, or a psychiatric condition. The NDIS website has a tool called My Access Checker. This application provides a series of questions to help people understand whether they may be able to access assistance under the NDIS. It might take 10-20 minutes to complete.
Your pathway for accessing support depends on your situation, your goals and choices. As a first step, complete the My Access Checker application online www.ndis.gov.au/my-access-checker. If you are eligible and are in an area where the NDIS is operating, contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and arrange an appointment. You will then work with the NDIA to:
- Confirm eligibility – at your first appointment, you will meet with a planner to confirm your eligibility.
- Develop an individual plan – once your eligibility is confirmed you will meet with a planner to discuss your goals and aspirations for the life you want to live and the reasonable and necessary support you need to achieve this.
- Choose your supports – if you wish, a local area co-ordinator can help you choose your supports based on your individual plan, or you can manage this yourself. This can include choosing your support providers.
- Review your plan – From time-to-time, your planner will contact you to check whether your plan is still helping you work towards your goals.
No, the Victorian government has agreed to transfer all ISP and other disability specific funded supports and services to the NDIS as it rolls out across the state.
Supported Employment, like The Bridge Works, is funded by the Federal Government through the Department of Social Services (DSS). Most people already in supported employment will be eligible for the NDIS and will transition to the scheme when it comes into the area where they live.
The NDIS is being introduced progressively around Australia from 1 July 2016. To participate in the NDIS right now, you must live in an area where the NDIS is currently available. You may meet the access requirements up to six months prior to the NDIS rolling out in your area. If you already receive supports from a State or Territory government disability program, you will receive a letter and a phone call from an NDIS representative when it is time to transition to the NDIS. Until you have transitioned to the NDIS and have an NDIS plan, your existing supports and services will continue. If you have any concerns contact the NDIS directly.
The NDIS will fund “reasonable and necessary” supports that:
- support people with disability to pursue their goals and maximise their independence
- support people with disability to live independently and to be included in the community as fully participating citizens
- develop and support the capacity of people with disability to undertake activities that enable them to participate in the community and in employment.
The supports must assist the person with disability to pursue their goals, objectives and aspirations, encourage social and economic participation, represent value for money and be effective and beneficial for the participant. The NDIS will take into account existing supports provided through the state or Commonwealth and these existing supports may form the basis of the new plan. It has also been agreed that no person should be disadvantaged by the transition to the NDIS. Supports provided can cover areas such as Personal Care, Community Access, Transport, Interpreting and Translating and Employment. The funding covers services, supports and equipment.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the NDIS Commission) is an Australian Government agency. The NDIS Commission is the dedicated national regulator of providers of NDIS supports and services.
They uphold the rights of, and promote the health, safety and wellbeing, of people with disability receiving NDIS supports or services. The NDIS Commission:
- ensures providers and workers know and follow the rules for quality and safety
- assists with, and responds to concerns, complaints and serious incidents
- registers and regulates NDIS providers
- educates and informs NDIS providers, workers, participants and people in the community about the NDIS Commissions’ requirements for quality and safety.