Community Participation
What is Increased Social and Community Participation?
Increased Social and Community Participation is one of the nine sub-categories within the Capacity Building funding category. This particular funding item is available for participants who have a goal to increase their independence in participating within their community and in social activities. Participants with Increased Social and Community Participation in their NDIS plan can utilise this funding to cover the cost of skill building activities and classes that facilitate independence.
What type of support is covered by Increased Social and Community Participation?
How participants build more independence, skills and confidence to participate in their community will vary from person to person. Everyone has different interests or ways that they learn, therefore this NDIS support can be catered to meet your individual needs. For example:
Recreational activities that focus on building a skill
Use your funding to cover a limited number of classes so you can try out the activity, test your capabilities and see if it is something you are interested in pursuing further – this could include art or cooking classes, singing or dancing lessons, horse riding, sports coaching or volunteering.
Attend a camp or social groups
Use your funding to join a social group or go on a camp where you can build on your interpersonal and relationship skills, meet new people and take part in a range of new activities that spark your interest.
Modified or adjusted items
In some situations, there may be tools or objects required for a particular recreational activity that need to be modified due to your disability. For example if you wish to play golf, you can use your funding to buy a modified golf club.
Developing life skills
Use your funding to support the development of new skills such as taking public transport, attending appointments, going shopping and or to the post office so you can build confidence in doing more activities within your community independently.
How to get Increased Social and Community Participation in your NDIS plan?
To access Increased Social and Community Participation, eligible participants will need to discuss your goals to participate in your community more independently in your initial NDIS plan meeting or in your annual plan review. It is important that you are prepared with examples of the challenges you currently face in carrying out certain social activities on your own and why such support is needed to develop your independence. If deemed reasonable and necessary, your LAC or NDIS provider will have Increased Social and Community Participation included in your NDIS plan.
