Engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the 'Proper Way'
Published 3rd July 2017
R Somerville, J Cullen, M McIntyre, C Townsend, S Pope
Summary: The Guddi Protocol, and the recommendations resulting from the Peer-Led NDIS Activity Project on Palm Island, highlight the importance of undertaking engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in culturally appropriate ways. The two models demonstrate that by conducting business in the Proper Way, it is possible to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the NDIS.
The NDIS has potential to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access supports and services to which they are entitled, providing the aforementioned engagement barriers are addressed. NDIS engagement activities must be designed with consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of health and disability, and cultural heterogeneity, and be delivered in the Proper Way, according to community advice.
