Social and Community Participation: Enhancing Lives and Building Connections
Social and community participation is a vital aspect of a fulfilling life, allowing individuals to engage, connect, and contribute to their communities. Living with a disability can present challenges in participating in social activities and fostering a sense of belonging. However, the NDIS social and community participation program provides individuals with disabilities the necessary support to build social connections and actively engage in community life.
What is Social and Community Participation?
Social and community participation refers to the involvement of individuals in activities that promote interaction, engagement, and inclusion within their communities. This can include a wide range of activities, from social gatherings and recreational pursuits to educational programs and volunteer work. For people with disabilities, these activities provide opportunities to develop skills, build relationships, and enhance their quality of life.
What does Social and Community Participation include?
Social and community participation encompasses a variety of activities and supports, such as:
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Recreational Activities: Engaging in hobbies, sports, arts, and cultural events. This could include joining a sports team, attending a concert, or participating in a dance class.
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Educational Programs: Enrolling in courses or workshops that foster learning and skill development. This might involve taking a cooking class, learning a new language, or participating in a vocational training program.
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Social Events: Attending gatherings and events that promote social interaction. Examples include community festivals, club meetings, or social groups.
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Volunteering: Contributing to community projects and organizations through volunteer work. This provides a sense of purpose and the opportunity to give back to the community.
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Support Groups: Joining groups that offer peer support and shared experiences, such as disability support groups or interest-based clubs.
How is Social and Community Participation Funded?
In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for social and community participation via two different funding categories.
There is increased Social and Community Participation which comes from Support Category 9, under Capacity Building Supports. Then, there is Assistance with Social and Community Participation which comes from Support Category 4, under Core Supports.
Increased Social and Community Participation:
This category of funding can be used to pay for tuition fees, art classes, sports coaching and similar activities that build skills and independence.
It can be used to pay for camps, classes and vacation activities that have capacity building components.
These may include assistance to establish volunteer arrangements in the community, mentoring, peer support or individual skill development.
All supports funded under this item need to be determined as reasonable and necessary given the participant’s plan goals.
Examples provided by the NDIS of support that can be funded include:
- Universal recreational activities: A limited number of lessons could be funded to enable a participant to try out an activity and test their capability and interest in pursuing this activity further – such as horse riding, art, dance or singing classes
- Funding to attend a “camp” or groups that build a person’s relationship skills and offer a range of activities and opportunities to explore wider interests.
- Other items or adjustments such as customised tools required because of the person’s disability, could also be funded. An example of this is if you wanted to play all abilities golf and needed to buy an adapted golf club to play. Or you wanted to do a drumming class and needed to buy an adapted glove to allow you to grip the drumsticks.
Assistance with Social and Community Participation
Get in Touch
If you or a loved one has NDIS funding and would like support in getting out into the community, we invite you to reach out to Light Disability Services. Let us be your partner in developing greater independence and joy by increasing your community and social participation. Together, we can create a brighter future. For more information or if you are a Support Coordinator wanting to refer a client to us, please use the buttons below.
