When children’s social interactions become purely transactional, we know we’ve drifted too far as a society: A commentary on the failings of the market-driven model of the NDIS

Photo by Rachel Callander & Nathan Maddigan | Image Description: A young boy (Thomas) sitting in a toy car looking contemplative. The framing of the image places him between the two front columns of the car.

In a world moving swiftly towards automating human connections and prioritizing transactions over genuine interactions, it's saddening, yet unsurprising, to find that even the most vulnerable amongst us are being commodified. Insights shared as part of the recent NDIS review, along with a compelling article by Tom Burton from the Financial Review, shine a light on the uncomfortable truth of the market-driven model of the NDIS, where children with disabilities are seen more as business opportunities rather than individuals in need of genuine care. While this shouldn’t come as a shock realisation (as anyone who has spent any amount of time in the disability sector would attest to), our scrutiny should not rest solely on the shoulders of the NDIS. Instead, we should be casting our eyes on those peripheral government systems that so easily consign the support of people living with disabilities to the NDIS.

A System That Incentivizes Profits over People

The core tenet of the NDIS was to provide individualized support, allowing people with disabilities to enjoy an improved quality of life through choice and control over the service providers they utilised. However, the system, as the recent review indicates, has failed to deliver on its lofty promises. Instead of fostering competition that improves service quality, the market approach has created a labyrinth where service providers are more incentivized to keep participants in care, like gladiators trapped in a colosseum, rather than to provide impactful interventions that foster independence as free members of our society.

This kind of marketplace not only fails people living with disabilities but also serves as a haunting reflection of a society that has misplaced its values. One of the greatest challenges facing participants is fostering meaningful connections. And none feel this greater than children.

The Tragedy of Limited Interactions 

One of the most heart-wrenching consequences of this flawed system is the limited social interaction specifically available to children under schooling age (0-5) whose disabilities mean they cannot access the earliest opportunities for social interaction, made available to typically developing children, through childcare because of inadequate staff training and facilities. For many of these children, in the first 5 years of their life, most of their social encounters are with adults who are paid to be with them.

And that is a tragedy.

Childhood, a time meant for free play, learning through peer interactions, and building genuine relationships, is being replaced by a series of transactional interactions. Colourful, inviting educational spaces fade to the ‘child-friendly’ façade faces of clinical spaces. And the option for parents to meet and connect with other parents attending the same centre as their child and build a strong informal support network has been taken off the table.

It's a grim reality that calls for immediate introspection.

Photo by Rachel Callander & Nathan Maddigan | Image Description: A young boy (Jayden) looking off into the distance. Jayden is one of thousands of children who have been actively refused access to childcare on the grounds of his disability.

Seeking Out Diagnoses over Genuine Support

It’s evident that the NDIS's current structure pushes families to seek formal medical diagnoses, not for the betterment of the child, but to gain access to essential support. This is because the current model does not actually create opportunities for families to build an informal support network for their child and foster meaningful connections for them. When a system prioritizes labels over actual support, it not only burdens families but also perpetuates a culture where children are defined more by their disabilities than their abilities.

Scapegoating the NDIS

The NDIS has, in recent times, become the ubiquitous target of blame; a metaphorical ‘scapegoat’ dragged into scrutiny for failing to truly support children (and all people) living with disabilities (go look up “NDIS-Failing” it’s quite profound). There seems to be an oversimplified narrative circulating that it is the sole entity failing participants, leaving them isolated and devoid of genuine connection. While it is undeniable that there are shortcomings within the NDIS system that need to be addressed, the act of heaping all the blame upon it overshadows a larger, more systemic issue at hand.

There's a misconception that the NDIS was created as an all-encompassing solution – the proverbial one-stop-shop for all support needs of disabled individuals. This is an unrealistic expectation and a gross misinterpretation of the scheme's original intent. The NDIS was not designed to be an oasis in a desert, but rather an aquifer, a source that would feed into and nourish multiple reservoirs of support.

In truth, the support and integration of children with profound disabilities is a collective responsibility that extends well beyond the NDIS. It's a task that demands collaborative action from various government departments and entities. Regrettably, these departments have often taken a backseat, absolving themselves of their duty by relegating children with disabilities to the NDIS. And, when these departments are eventually singled out to take action, a committee is formed, and after extensive protracted examination (wherein many passionate advocates give valuable advice), an ‘action plan and vague set of conclusions are drawn: reduce barriers, circulate resources, and run professional development. Job done, hands washed. The underlying hope seems to be that the NDIS, with its funds and resources, will miraculously 'solve' the challenges these children face.

However, what we're witnessing is an evasion of responsibility. Instead of integrating children with profound disabilities into broader society and support systems, they're being sidelined, with the expectation that the NDIS will shoulder the entire burden. But just as a river cannot flow if its source runs dry, the NDIS cannot be expected to function effectively if it's the sole provider of support, bereft of the reinforcements it so crucially needs. 

It's essential to shift this narrative and understanding.

Other governmental departments need to recognize that they aren't isolated entities but integral parts of an interconnected system. Their active involvement and collaboration are vital. The NDIS was always envisioned as part of a cohesive network, not an isolated sanctuary. To truly support families and children with disabilities, it's time for every department to step up, share the responsibility, and collaboratively create an environment where every individual can thrive.

Moving Forward: The Promise of Renewed Hope

The challenges outlined above, as immense as they might seem, provide us with an invaluable opportunity: the chance to rewrite the narrative for children with disabilities, painting a brighter, more inclusive future for all. The Financial Review article is not the spark. This fire has been burning for some time now and it’s reaching a flash point. Rather than clinging to an outdated medical model, we must transition to a holistic perspective where support is seamlessly integrated into everyday standards. 

In this renewed vision, society's fabric itself changes, evolving not to reshape individuals with disabilities, but to recalibrate our structures, ensuring that they are genuinely inclusive. As Professor Bonyhady aptly put it, ensuring consistent supports for all children with disabilities in mainstream settings is not just necessary but crucial for the sustainability of schemes like the NDIS. 

The Dawn of a New Era

We stand on the precipice of change, in a time of unprecedented political plasticity, armed with knowledge, passion, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive. It's not merely about mending a flawed system; it's about rebuilding it with bricks of compassion, understanding, and unity.

In essence, the flaws in the NDIS’s market-driven model serve not just as a wake-up call but as a rallying cry. It's a call to rejuvenate our societal values, to remember that every individual, regardless of their abilities, brings something unique to the tapestry of our community.

We have the chance, now more than ever, to craft a future where every child feels valued, included, and cherished. For them, for us, and for the generations to come, we must rise to the occasion.

We must do better. We’ll be there, and I hope you will too.