Choosing Your Service Providers
When it comes to organising your supports, it is important to remember that you are in the driver’s seat. You are in control.
You might already have a service provider you are happy with. That’s great. But don’t feel locked in. You don’t have to do things the way they have always been done. Now might be the right time to try something new. Now might be the time to do something you have always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance.
Choosing a provider is just like choosing anything else you might want to buy. Work out what you want, do your research, look around and then choose. And like anything else, it helps to talk to others about what they have done. What do they like about their providers? Would they recommend them?
There are a few questions you might like to consider when choosing a service provider:
- Which of the providers in my area can offer the kinds of supports I need?
- Do the supports offered by any of the providers meet my personal needs and help me to achieve any of the goals I’ve set for myself?
- Will the provider see me as an individual with rights?
- How will the provider ensure I have choice and control over how support is provided to me?
- Can the provider guarantee flexibility of support that fits my life?
- What skills and experience do their staff members have?
- Does the provider charge a fair price?
- What evidence can the provider show me that they deliver high quality support?
- Does the provider have feedback and complaints systems that are independent of their service delivery systems?
- What do other people with Huntington’s or carers say about the quality of the support the provider gives them?
The NDIS has some information to help people find and negotiate with service providers. The Price Guides outlines the maximum amounts providers can charge participants.
Your Rights as a Consumer
When you pay for a product or service yourself, you have rights as a consumer. This includes services and products you purchase through the NDIS.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has produced some information for people with disability and their families to understand their rights and help when something goes wrong.
There are fact sheets, videos, and information in Easy English on the ACCC website. https://www.accc.gov.au/focus-areas/information-for/consumers-with-disability
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is an independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. They will regulate the NDIS market and handle complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.
There are resources including Easy English and LOTE on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/
Why Choose Huntington’s WA?
Huntington’s WA is committed to working with you to dismantle barriers, change attitudes and promote positive attitudes to create opportunities for your full inclusion and participation in the community. We work closely with a range of organisations to support you and encourage you to speak to a staff member if you have any specific needs or goals that could be met by another organisation.
Our Huntington’s WA multidisciplinary team have professional expertise in the areas of Social Work, Counselling and Mental Health support and many years of hands-on experience supporting people impacted by Huntington’s Disease.
Funds received through the provision of services to NDIS participants, is invested back into the WA HD community. These additional funds enable us to offer more services to more people impacted by HD. By choosing us, you will also be helping others in our community.
If you would like assistance navigating the NDIS or information about the range of services Huntington’s WA provides, please contact us.
Email: NDIS@huntingtonswa.org.au
Phone: 08 6457 7599
Website: www.huntingtonswa.org.aF
Email: NDIS@huntingtonswa.org.au
General enquiries: admin@huntingtonswa.org.au
