Choice and control empower individuals with disabilities to make decisions about their lives, just like anyone else. This autonomy and self-determination are fundamental aspects of human dignity and personal freedom. The principles of ‘choice and control’ are central to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), providing individuals with disabilities with the power to make choices about the support and services they receive. This helps them to change from being passive recipients of care to active decision-makers in their own lives.

Choice and control of the participants are especially important when it comes to NDIS Core supports. These supports form the foundation of a participant’s support package under the NDIS. Core support categories including Assistance with Daily Life, Consumables, Assistance with Social & Community Participation and Transport are intended to address the most fundamental daily living needs of individuals with disabilities. Providing choice and control allows participants to tailor their Core supports to match their specific requirements, ensuring that the services they receive are the best fit for them. This also encourages service providers to deliver high-quality services and cater to the preferences of their participants. One of the primary goals of the Core support categories is to build the independence of the participants and reduce the amount of support that they need in the long run. Having choice and control will help the participants to adapt their support plan to address these changing needs in the future.

Here at Aastha Community Services, we believe that protecting the choice and control of the participants is essential for helping them to lead fulfilling and self-directed lives. The implementation and promotion of choice and control are critical steps toward creating a more inclusive future for people with disabilities. Contact us today to learn more about the NDIS principles of ‘choice and control.’