NDSP Plan Managers

27/12/2025

Pause. Breathe. Reset. 💜

We’re in that funny stretch between Christmas and New Year’s, the one where time feels wobbly and no one’s quite sure what day it is (is it Tuesday? Saturday? Who knows) 🤷

If the festive chaos is starting to feel a little overwhelming, here’s your gentle reminder to hit pause. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Give yourself permission to reset, and we hope you can find a little calm and joy 😊

'veGotThis

[Image description: On a purple background, text reads "Pause, breathe, and reset. Together, we've got this". A circle slowly expands and contracts as with your breath.]

24/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from NDSP and Iti!🎄

We know the holiday season can mean different things for different people. Whether you’re celebrating, reflecting, or simply taking things one day at a time, we hope this season brings you moments of peace, kindness, and connection.

Here’s to a season of inclusion and hope, and to a new year filled with possibilities 🌟

From all of us at NDSP, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, in whatever way feels right for you 💜



[Image Description: Iti the rhino wearing a purple top and red santa hat, next to twinkling Christmas lights. text reads, "Merry Christmas from all of us here at NDSP".]

22/12/2025

🎄 Christmas is just around the corner… so let’s settle this once and for all:
What’s the best Christmas movie of all time?

Are you team Elf? Can’t go past Home Alone? Or maybe you’re all about Die Hard (don't bother trying to tell Iti this isn't a Christmas movie 🦏👀).

Drop your fave in the comments below, we’re ready to start a festive debate and maybe add a few to our watchlist! 🍿✨



[Image Description: Text reads "What's the best Christmas movie of all time?" on a purple background, a retro TV has a picture of a Christmas tree showing on the screen.]

17/12/2025

🎄One week to go, are you ready for the Christmas chaos? 🎄

We all know the festive season can be a lot… extra noise, extra people, extra everything! For Autistic folks, that can mean extra stress too.

So we’re sharing a little gift we came across recently: a resource from Aspect - Autism Spectrum Australia full of tips to help keep things calm and merry 🎅 Check it out, pass it on, and make this Christmas a little less “overwhelming” and a lot more “joyful.”

You'll find the download here 👉 https://ow.ly/VVUo50XGHmU

17/12/2025

I-CAN 🦾 and you can too!

A new NDIS assessment tool is being introduced from mid 2026 that will look more at what you can do with the right support in place.

Right now, getting onto the NDIS or going through a plan reassessment usually means gathering reports from medical or allied health professionals that explain your impairments. It can be costly. It can be long. Not with I-CAN, according to the NDIS.

Here’s everything to know about this new assessment that captures vital information – but in a way that’s simpler, fairer and more focused on your strengths 🙌

Click here for the lowdown 👉 https://ow.ly/2sIK50XG99n

Discover what the I-CAN is, how it works, and what it means for you - so you're ready and confident when the new assessment system rolls out in mid-2026.

15/12/2025

We're holding space for our community today 💜

The events that took place in Bondi yesterday were confronting and distressing, and have been felt widely. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and our thoughts are with the Jewish community and with people across Australia as they take time to process what has occurred.

If you need it, you may wish to step back from the news and social media and to reach out to friends and family for support.

If additional support would be helpful,
free and confidential services are available:

- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511

14/12/2025

Summer's here! 🌞 As we move into the warmer months, taking a few moments to prepare can make a real difference to your safety and piece of mind 🔥

Before you kick back, make sure you’re prepared. The CFA (Country Fire Authority)'s online learning portal is packed with helpful tips and training to keep you and your loved ones safe this season.

There’s even a module designed for people who might be at higher risk during a house fire (such as those using mobility aids) and tailored training for carers and support workers.

Click through, complete the training, make a plan, and enjoy a safe summer 👉 https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/your-local-area-info-and-advice/e-learning

CFA has a number of online fire safety modules to help you be safer in the home and during the bushfire period.

11/12/2025

Your plan manager is there to help you make sense of your NDIS budget and take care of the financial side of things, so you can focus on getting the supports that matter most.

Sometimes, though, it’s not clear when to reach out or what to expect. So here's a few tips that should help you have a smoother experience:

1️⃣ Check if your plan manager is the right person to contact
2️⃣ Have key info ready (like your NDIS number or invoice details)
3️⃣ Be clear about what you’re asking for
4️⃣ If you prefer a call, you can request a call back
5️⃣ Choose the contact method that best suits your needs

It’s all about working together to make the process easier and more efficient for you. High fives all 'round 🙏

👉 For more on these tips and the whole lowdown on what plan managers can and can’t help with, check out our blog here: https://ow.ly/WTjN50XBGy2



[Image Description: Two colleagues reviewing notes and a smartphone together in a modern office setting, text reads: How to get the support your need from your plan manager".]

10/12/2025

Starting today, Australia's new social media delay for under-16s is officially in place, and it's a big step forward in keeping kids safe online 💻

We all know the online world comes with risks, but for some teens with disability, social media has also been a lifeline 💓 a way to connect with friends, find community, and feel included.

So, what does this new restriction mean? And how can we support the young people in our lives as they navigate this change?

Here’s a great resource on what it's all about from the eSafety Commissioner 👉 https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub

Find information in this hub to help you understand and prepare for the social media age restrictions.

08/12/2025

Iti here 🦏 and I'm back with another edition of my NDIS advice column! This week’s question comes from Jason, and it’s a good one… 🎶

🗨️"I'm studying music at the moment to improve my interactions and communicating skills. For study I require stationary and text books, I'm paying at the moment, is this covered by NDIS as I know other people have it and I don't?"

Jason, what a fantastic question! Studying music to boost your communication skills? Love that! And if you ever need a jam buddy, I’m pretty handy on the jungle drums… nothing like a good stomp beat to keep the rhythm! 🥁

Now, let’s get to the pointy end of the horn: the NDIS usually doesn’t cover everyday study costs like textbooks, pens, or tuition. Those are things you or your school/uni are expected to provide or help with. 📚

What the NDIS can fund are supports you need because of your disability to make study possible, things like assistive tech, personal support, or adjustments that go beyond what your education provider normally offers.

So if it seems like others had certain items funded, it usually means those items were clearly linked to disability related needs and met the “reasonable and necessary” criteria for them.

If you think you need extra help linked to your disability, have a chat with your planner or support coordinator. They’ll help you work out what’s reasonable and necessary for your goals.

I hope you’ll be charging full speed toward your music goals, and if more questions pop up, I’m ready to clear the path!

💜 Iti

✨ Got an NDIS question? Iti's got answers! Submit yours here 👉 https://ow.ly/sm8650XBFZA

04/12/2025

🌿 Nature is calling but is it accessible?

For many people with disability, getting outdoors can be both a joy and a challenge. The benefits are huge, but the barriers are sometimes just as massive.

We loved this article exploring why nature matters and how we can make the outdoors more inclusive (link below).

As the writer Eli Sutherland says, "Connection to Country, animals, ourselves, and each other is strengthened when we leave behind built environments and foray into natural spaces." 🌳

Found an accessible spot to go bush (or sea, or snow, or rainforest)? Drop it in the comments! Let’s build the ultimate list and connect to nature together.

👉 https://ow.ly/wbKK50Xxh7b

There are a multitude of physical and mental benefits that come with hiking and connecting with nature — but for people with disability across Australia, accessing the outdoors is often difficult.

04/12/2025

Heads up, friends! 💜 We’re making some important upgrades to keep things running smoothly for you.

From Friday 5 December at 2pm (SA time) until Monday 8 December at 8am (SA time), our phone lines and systems (including Nappa) will be offline. If you need to chat or submit a claim, please do it before 2pm SA time tomorrow.

While we’re offline, you can still email us:

✉️ Invoices & reimbursements: invoices@ndsp.com.au
✉️ General queries & support: info@ndsp.com.au

We’ll jump back in first thing Monday and process anything that comes through while we’re offline.

If you’d prefer a friendly voice, give us a call on 1800 63 63 77 before the offline period begins.

Thanks for your patience while we do a little behind the scenes magic, these upgrades will help us keep things stress free and reliable for you! 🦏✨



[Image Description: A red mouse computer pointer is clicking on a button that says UPGRADE, text reads "NDSP will be offline for a bit, back better than ever!"