The Government’s planned transition of the National Auslan Interpreter Booking & Payment Service, better known as NABS from being a program within the Department of Social Services to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on 1 July 2020 would have disadvantaged about 700 Deaf users of the service.
The NABS program provides a service that books and pays for an accredited interpreter to assist people whose first language is Australian Sign Language in their medical consultations that attract a Medicare rebate, or specified health consultations, provided in a private medical practice by a general practitioner, specialist or health professional.
Under the transition plan, only people over 65 (at 30 June 2020) and people with an active NDIS plan would continue to access NABS Auslan translation service for their health-related communications without paying from their own pockets. These 700 did not have NDIS plans that would pay for their NABS usage.
Deafness Forum of Australia presented the case to the Government to continue the current arrangements until 2021 to provide a safety net for the 700 Auslan users who would lose free access to NABS. The Government accepted Deafness Forum’s advice and will guarantee access to NABS until 31 March next year.
This extension in time will allow the 700 Auslan users to apply to join the NDIS if they wish, and thereby have free access to NABS. Deafness Forum recommended to the Government that the various Deaf Societies in each state and territory, in liaison with consumer organisation Deaf Australia be contracted to assist these people enter the NDIS.
We are extremely pleased that the Government will protect these vulnerable citizens, particularly in the midst of this health pandemic.
Table: all people whose native language is Australian Sign Language.
