Meeting the Needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People With Hearing Loss in the Context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Abstract

Hearing loss is a poignant issue in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and, without sufficient support, it can also contribute to disabling life experiences. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is intended to provide support to eligible people experiencing disability, however, to effectively serve this population, it requires a nuanced understanding of their lived experiences, support needs and how these needs can be met within the context of the NDIS. This article presents findings from a qualitative analysis of yarnings with 15 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS participants who are deaf or hard of hearing. The findings demonstrate the support needs of this group are diverse, encompassing socio-cultural, communication, health and disability specific support domains. The capacity of the NDIS to address these needs varied, from positive to sub-optimal outcomes. The study highlights the need for significant reform within the NDIS to better meet the needs of this population.