Does the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme enhance personal quality of life?

Abstract

The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme's (NDIS) market-based paradigm, which prioritises “person-centred planning” and “self-directed care”, supports independence and the social and economic participation of participants. This article examines the NDIS's philosophical congruence and whether it affirms the dignity of people with an intellectual disability and enhances their quality of life. A philosophical methodological approach considers the NDIS paradigm from John Macmurray's personalism, which posits persons as people who act and are individual, interactive, interdependent, relational, social beings, who respond to their lived experiences. To indicate the relevance of Macmurray's personalism, this article examines data on the practice of disability services to suggest another side to the paradigm that underscores the NDIS. The focus of the NDIS on “markets” and “business” could tear a seam in a paradigm designed for people to realise their personal nature, interdependency, and affirm their personal dignity. A Macmurrian human nature is richer than person-centred planning, since this analysis reinforces the importance of personal relationships in people's lives to the application of the NDIS. A failure to give priority to this dimension may invalidate personal flourishing, friendships, living a meaningful life, and having a valued role in society.

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