Barriers to the NDIS for people with intellectual disability and/or complex support needs involved with the criminal justice systems: The current state of literature

ABSTRACT

Background

This study synthesises current literature concerning the barriers to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) faced by people with intellectual disability and/or complex support needs who are involved with the criminal justice system, or at risk of (re)involvement.

Method

Through targeted searches of key databases, 41 publications were identified from the scholarly and grey literature.

Results

Collected literature raises three main barriers to the NDIS. First, there are (mis)identification and diagnostic tensions hindering eligibility. Second, there are problems with the planning process, including the impracticality of “planning for” chaotic situations. Third, there are market and workforce deficits.

Conclusions

Research into the NDIS experiences of justice-involved people with intellectual disability and/or complex support needs is nascent and developing alongside an evolving NDIS landscape. Future research should focus on the effects of forthcoming developments designed to reduce the barriers facing these populations, including the Complex Support Needs Pathway, and workforce capabilities and market strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• NDIS
• intellectual disability
• complex support needs
• criminal justice contact
• barriers to support

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This article is based on research funded by the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID) to support VALID’s undertaking of the Victorian Intellectual Disability Justice for All Project. There were no restrictions placed on free access to or publication of the research data, and the author has no financial or other conflict of interest in publication of the results.