Families fear reduced NDIS support as travel subsidies paid to allied health providers cut

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Parents of children with a disability are concerned that cuts to NDIS travel subsidies will result in their kids missing out on vital therapies. They're calling on the agency that oversees the NDIS to rethink its decision to slash payments to allied health providers.

Transcript

00:00It's milestones like these Tiana Dybor thought would never happen.

00:06It makes me so emotional.

00:09Five-year-old Zayden was born with a rare genetic condition, impacting his development

00:15and ability to regulate sensory input.

00:18We've got an incredible team of therapists that we've had now for about 18 months

00:24and we've seen such strides.

00:27She fears his progress will be slowed under changes to the NDIS.

00:32From this month, travel subsidies paid to allied health providers have been halved.

00:36He's at risk of losing his therapist or having to reduce his therapy load.

00:41Dr Marianne Gomez travels almost an hour to see some of her clients.

00:46She specialises in helping children who struggle coordinating the movements they need to speak.

00:52Do therapy at school, at their daycare centres, to be able to provide the level of intensity

00:58that they need to actually improve their communication skills.

01:03But to stay financially viable with the reduced fees.

01:06I am being forced to reconsider whether or not I'll be able to continue seeing clients.

01:11We're already seeing providers leave the market in regional and remote areas.

01:16What we're concerned about is we might lose access to that choice of control

01:22or even reduce our access to essential allied health support.

01:27The agency that oversees the NDIS says the changes are in response to a comprehensive review

01:33that found participants were paying more than those outside the scheme.

01:37It claims the new travel rules will encourage providers to plan with more efficiency

01:42and provide clear cost expectations for their clients.

01:46Tiana Dybul is hoping the agency reconsiders.

01:50It worries me that we are going to get pushed aside.

01:54Tiana Dybul is hoping the agency reconsider will email the link to sign.

01:59Tiana Dybul is hoping the agency reconsider.

02:01Tiana Dybul is hoping the agency reconsider will be forced to transfer them to ensure the

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