We are looking for your support to collect case studies of NDIS participants being denied disability specific sexual supports including therapy, counselling and other kinds of assistance and any impacts of the denial.
There has been little guidance provided by the NDIA since sexual services were banned under the Act in October 2024, and since then there has been a tendency of the NDIA to conflate sexual services with other types of disability specific sexual supports.
When changes to the NDIS were made to prohibit funding for sexual services, it was stated that:
"[Sexual services] is quite narrow in its construction. It does not include, for example, provision of therapy or counselling or other kinds of assistance that a participant or a potential participant could have in their plan now."
Since then there have been many anecdotal reports of NDIS participants being denied disability specific sexual supports that are not sexual services, including therapy, counselling and other kinds of assistance.
Since then there have been many anecdotal reports of NDIS participants being denied disability specific sexual supports that are not sexual services, including therapy, counselling and other kinds of assistance.
By collecting this information, we can create a comprehensive picture of the experiences of NDIS participants who are attempting to access sexual supports. These case studies will be used to advocate to the NDIA and other decision makers to define sexual services in a way that does not exclude disability specific sexual supports, and enable NDIS participants to have them funded.
All information provided will be used in a confidential manner and no names or identifiers will be used in the final case studies.
Who should complete this survey
We are not seeking evidence of where the NDIS has denied funds to pay for sex workers providing sexual services, unless the sexual supports have been specifically approved by the NDIS in a participant’s plan after the changes to the NDIS came into effect on 3 October 2024.
We are also seeking evidence of other types of disability specific sexuality supports being denied, for example:
Who should complete this survey
We are not seeking evidence of where the NDIS has denied funds to pay for sex workers providing sexual services, unless the sexual supports have been specifically approved by the NDIS in a participant’s plan after the changes to the NDIS came into effect on 3 October 2024.
We are also seeking evidence of other types of disability specific sexuality supports being denied, for example:
- sex therapy or counselling
- purchase of sex toys, positioning aids, continence aids, companion beds,
- tailored sex education from an OT, sexual health counsellor etc
- pornography education
- support in finding prospective intimate partners, expectations and consent
- addressing sexual behaviours of concern with targeted interventions
You could be an NDIS participant who has experienced being denied funding, or know of someone who has.
Deadline extended: the survey will be open until Thursday 24th April 2025
How long will the survey take?
Approximately 15 minutes. Required questions are marked with an asterisk (*).
Need support or have questions?
For an Easy English/Simplified version of this survey please click here.
To complete the survey over the phone, to request a different format, or if you have any questions, please contact operations@touchingbase.org
Deadline extended: the survey will be open until Thursday 24th April 2025
How long will the survey take?
Approximately 15 minutes. Required questions are marked with an asterisk (*).
Need support or have questions?
For an Easy English/Simplified version of this survey please click here.
To complete the survey over the phone, to request a different format, or if you have any questions, please contact operations@touchingbase.org