In this final report of its inquiry, the Committee has focused its attention on the extent to which the NDIA's  approach, policies, practices and functions reflect a genuine organisational commitment to supporting NDIS participants to live a full life.

In Chapter 2 of this report, the committee focuses on specific areas which exemplify the ways in which this approach is disempowering for NDIS applicants and participants and has led, in some instances, to the creation of policies and practices based on administrative convenience which are not only inflexible for participants but can be detrimental to their wellbeing.

The report also details the ways in which this culture underpins all interactions with participants and their families, directly impacting the quality of service and supports provided to them, as well as the extent to which the human rights and dignity of participants is upheld. In this regard, the committee has investigated key services including the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program, respite care and supported residential services.

Key recommendations:

• The committee recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency develop, publish and implement a mechanism to improve staff knowledge and acceptance of invisible, episodic, rare, and psychosocial disabilities.
• The committee recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency focus its compliance activities on the activities of service providers and subcontractors, to prevent systematic fraud and to ensure that people with disability do not experience further discrimination in the wider society.
• The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with state and territory government counterparts to ensure that children with a disability who need access to early childhood intervention services are able to do so, especially in rural, regional and remote areas.
• The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with its state and territory counterparts to develop comprehensive guidance regarding the regulation of disability accommodation providers who are also National Disability Insurance Scheme providers.