Funding your Freedom Wheels bike through the NDIS
National Disability Insurance Scheme
To purchase equipment through the NDIS, you will need to make sure Assistive Technology (equipment) is included in your NDIS plan. When you speak to your NDIS Planner, you need to tell them what equipment you need, as well as, how the equipment will help you to participate in your community.
Freedom Wheels and the NDIS Operational Guidelines on Recreation Supports
The NDIS Operational Guideline that covers recreation supports can be found here.
A Freedom Wheels bike will be considered by the NDIS as Recreation Supports. The NDIS has set out a number of guidelines that are important to consider when accessing funding for recreational equipment:
In relation to recreational support, it is important that the support relates to one or more participatory goals. For example, developing greater social networks or greater inclusion in the community.
What does this mean? If your goal is for you or your child to “ride a bike”, the NDIS may not fund this because it does not relate to increased participation in the community or in social activities. Your goals need to include the activities you or your child will be able to access if they have a bike, for instance, riding with friends and family in the park, or participating in school or community sports events.
An example of a goal might be: The goal for my child is to develop greater social networks and have greater inclusion in the community by participating in activities such as cycling with friends and family. To achieve this goal, my child needs a Freedom Wheels bike.
Tips for accessing equipment through the NDIS
- Make a list of all your current equipment and assistive technology.
- Make a list of the equipment you need but don’t have and get quotes.
- Write down how much it costs to maintain and service this equipment.
- Write down why your equipment is important and what your equipment will help you to achieve.
- Get written advise/evidence for an independent Assistive Technology accessor that the equipment is right for you. Get a quote for the equipment that you require.
- Talk to your NDIS Planner and share the above documents about your equipment needs and costs, to ensure that you have a budget in your plan for ‘Assistive Technology’.
- Freedom Solutions will provide you with a quote and a frequent asked questions sheet when requesting funding for Freedom Wheels.
“I have funding in my NDIS plan! Now what?”
Trial
Have a trial with our Product Specialist who will prescribe custom supports for you/your child.
Quote
Freedom Solutions will provide you with a quote and a frequently asked question sheet.
Paperwork
The NDIS requires written evidence/advise from an independent Assistive Technology accessor, that the equipment is right for you. It is recommended that your therapist attends the trial in person or via zoom so that they can provide this written advice/evidence.
Approval
You or your Local Area Coordinator can send the quote to the NDIA for approval.
Build and Payment
Once approval is received, we will build your new bike and send an invoice to either the NDIA direct or your plan manager for payment. If you are self-managed, you can pay and claim back from the NDIA.
Call us on 1300 663 243 to discuss your options.
Freedom Wheels is a Freedom Solutions Australia service. Freedom Solutions Australia has a dedicated group of staff and skilled volunteers who design and build customised equipment technology and equipment solutions for those living with a disability.
Frequently Used Terms:
- Assistive Technology: any device that allows you to do something you would find difficult or would not be able to do on your own without help. This could be a special chair, a computer program, a Freedom Wheels bike, a wheelchair; basically, equipment that assists you to achieve your goals.
- Capital Supports: a section of your NDIS budget that is set aside for buying equipment, or making modifications to a home or workplace.
- Assistive Equipment for Recreation: this includes equipment to assist you to participate in sports and recreational activities.
- NDIS Participant: the person whose plan you are developing with the NDIS.
- NDIS Provider: a service or business who can provide support, services or equipment to help a participant achieve their goals.
- LAC: Local Area Coordinator, a person who can help you find supports and services to help a participant achieve their goals.
- Planner: an NDIS employee who will help you to set your goals in your NDIS plan.
Want to know more about the benefits of riding? Click this link for more information!
