16 May 2018 

NDIS cost and where does this money

come from?
The way the NDIS is funded is complex. The Commonwealth
provides just over half of the funding and the rest comes from
state and territories. It’s estimated the Commonwealth will
contribute around A$11.2 billion to the NDIS in 2019.

Tinnitus home remedies

Tinnitus is frequently described as ear ringing, clicking,
buzzing, crickets or roaring sounds.

Poor hearing could lead to poor memory

New research has uncovered an increased risk of mild
cognitive impairment among individuals with a form of hearing
impairment called central hearing loss. Age is a significant risk
factor for hearing loss. Worldwide, a third of seniors have a
disabling form of hearing loss.

20 May is World Bee Day

Scientific studies have proven that bees have become
increasingly endangered. The protection of bees and the
beekeeping sector can help reduce poverty and hunger, as
well as preserve a healthy environment and biodiversity.

64 years of hearing loss

“How in the world did this happen to me? How can this be?!
It seems I’ve only just started feeling like an adult, and all of a
sudden, I’m a senior?”

We  acknowledge  the  traditional  custodians  of  the  land,  community,  sea,  and  waters  where  we  live  and  work.   We  pay  our  respect  to 
elders past, present and future and value the contributions Indigenous Australians make in our society.  We acknowledge the challenge for 
Indigenous leaders and families to overcome the unacceptably high levels of ear health issues among first Australians. 
How much does the NDIS cost and where does this money
come from?
By Helen Dickinson, Associate Professor, Public Service Research Group, UNSW.

So how much does, and will, the scheme actually cost? Who is supposed to pay
for it and why is there debate over the funding? These are difficult questions to
answer because we lack high-quality data about the extent and nature of
disability in Australia. The information we do have is based on predictions, and
work is underway to check these are accurate.

The case for creating an NDIS was made by the Productivity Commission in its 2011 inquiry
on Disability Care and Support. The commission recommended Australia’s system of inequitable,
fragmented and inefficient disability services be replaced by a new national scheme that would
provide insurance cover to all Australians in the event of significant disability. The one thing all
sides of politics agree on is the NDIS represents a significant increase in disability spending, which
stood at around A$8 billion per year at the time of the initial Productivity Commission report.

Original estimates suggested the NDIS would cover 411,000 participants and cost A$13.6 billion at
maturity. However the Productivity Commission now estimates that around 475,000 people with
disability will receive individualised support at a cost of around A$22 billion per year.

The A$8.9 billion difference between the Productivity Commission’s original estimates and the
current estimate is a substantial gap. But A$6.4 billion of this difference is due to pay rises
awarded to social and community services employees. The remainder is due to the growth in the
population and also the inclusion of participants over 65 years who were not included in original
estimates. Once we account for these, estimates are fairly close to those originally predicted.

The Productivity Commission review of costs in 2017 found the NDIS was broadly coming in on
budget. Greater-than-expected numbers of children with autism and intellectual disability were
accessing the scheme, but not all those with individualised plans were able to spend their
budgets.

So, for now, the NDIS seems to be tracking as intended. The NDIS budget is estimated to
gradually increase over time to 1.3% of GDP by 2044-45 as participants age. Estimates also
suggest the scheme will produce benefits adding around 1% to the GDP.

Where the money comes from

The original Productivity Commission report suggested the federal government be the single
funder of the NDIS and that revenue to support the NDIS be paid into a separate fund (the
National Disability Insurance Premium Fund) to provide stable funding for the scheme. The
Productivity Commission suggested this approach because disability services have long
been subject to debate about who should bear the costs of these services: the Commonwealth or
the states and territories. Indeed, part of the reason for the NDIS was to guarantee funding for
disability services and stop these debates and blame-shifting. But this isn’t what happened.
The way the NDIS is funded is complex, with revenue coming from a number of sources. The
NDIS is funded via a pooled approach from Commonwealth and state and territory governments.
The Commonwealth provides just over half of the funding for the NDIS and the rest comes from
state and territories. This arrangement is governed by a number of bilateral agreements that are
revisited every five years.

At the creation of the scheme, all existing money spent by various governments was directed into
the NDIS to cover costs. Then, in July 2014 we saw a first increase in the Medicare levy: from
1.5% to 2% of taxable income. However, the increased Medicare levy doesn’t meet the full costs
of the scheme – just as the levy doesn’t cover all the annual costs of Medicare. This revenue was
directed into a special fund for the NDIS, DisabilityCare Australia, which is designed to reimburse
governments for NDIS expenditure.

Any additional funding the NDIS needs has to come from general budget revenue or borrowings.
The NDIS Savings Fund Special Account was established to collect the Commonwealth’s
contribution to the scheme. This fund pools underspends or savings from across government,
protecting these as a forward contribution to the scheme as it grows over future budgets.

Behind the funding debate

Warnings have been sounded about the NDIS’s reliance on multiple sources, fearing it creates a
risk of future instability of financing.

When the Labor government originally introduced the NDIS, it said it would fund the scheme
through an increase in the Medicare levy, reforms to private health insurance and retirement
incomes, and a range of “selected long-term savings” including an increase in tobacco excise and
changes to fringe benefits tax rules. Labor said the combination of these revenue streams would
ensure the NDIS was fully funded to 2023 but many of the savings promised were intentional,
rather than set in stone, and were not dedicated to the NDIS as the Medicare levy was.

It’s estimated the Commonwealth will contribute around A$11.2 billion to the NDIS in 2019. Of
this, around A$6.8 billion will come from the redirection of existing disability funds and the
Commonwealth’s share of the DisabilityCare Australia Fund. This leaves an annual funding gap of
around A$4 billion once the scheme becomes fully operational, accumulating to around A$56
billion by 2028. The Commonwealth announced it would increase the Medicare levy from 2% to
2.5% of taxable income from July 2019 as a way of filling the funding gap. Estimates predicted
this would raise an additional A$8 billion in revenue over its first two years. The bill needed to do
this had stalled in the Senate, with Labor and the Greens opposed. They suggested the increase
should only be applied to those in higher income tax brackets. In early May, the Treasurer
announced tax receipts were running A$4.8 billon higher than was estimated in December,
meaning the levy was no longer needed.

From The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-much-does-the-ndis-cost-and-where-does-this-

money-come-from-95924
Tinnitus home remedies
Reduce exposure to loud sounds
While the ears can often recover from damage, it is still important to reduce exposure to loud
sounds when experiencing tinnitus. This may mean talking quietly, avoiding loud events, and
avoiding in-ear headphones. Watching television or listening to the radio at lower volumes than
usual may also help the ears recover.

Distraction
Sometimes, a person only notices ringing in the ears when there are no other sounds to compete
with it. In these cases, it may help to distract the ears from the ringing by listening to soft music
or an engaging podcast. Meditation and yoga may also help take the focus off of the ringing.
These techniques may also help reduce stress, which can be a contributing factor to tinnitus.

White noise
If the ringing causes trouble sleeping, it may help to use some gentle white noise to distract the
brain from focusing on the sound. Some people find the hum of a room fan is enough to allow
them to sleep. Others prefer the sounds of the ocean or static from a TV to help them sleep.
Tip from One in Six: gentle music can help - download the free ABC Kids Listen app on your
phone for Dreamtime and Sleep Through.

Head tapping
Another method to help reduce or eliminate ringing in the ears is a type of head tapping. Head
tapping involves a few simple steps:
 Place the palms over the ears, rest the fingers at the base of the skull in the back of the head.
 Keeping the ears covered with the palms, raise the index fingers up and tap the back of the
head. This should produce a sound inside the head that is similar to the tap of a drum.
 Gently tap the head around 50 times and repeat the process a few times each day as needed.

Reducing alcohol and caffeine

While there is little scientific evidence to back up this claim, some people may find that reducing
the amount of caffeine or alcohol they drink can help reduce their symptoms.

By Jon Johnson, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321093.php

More Teachers Qualify to Educate Students with Special Needs
Eleven primary school teachers from schools in Lae, Goroka and Popondetta received Applied
Diplomas in Special Education at the University of Goroka, after completing a two-year course in
Special Education.

The course, delivered by the Callan Services National Unit with support from the Australian
Government’s Disability Inclusive Development Fund, has equipped the graduates with skills to
assist students with special needs.

Primary school teacher Wendy Kaweda (front row, first from the left) was among ten women who
graduated this month.

“The program has provided me with the skills to engage better with students with special needs,
particularly hearing impaired students. I am now able to use sign language effortlessly to interact
with the students, which helps me to understand them and support their learning.”

The applied diploma program includes Core units (General Special Education), Specialisation units
(Learning Difficulty and Hearing Impairment) and Practicum units (Practice Evidence Based Skills
and Strategies with Children).

Australia is internationally recognised as a leading donor in disability-inclusive development and

believes that including people with disabilities in development efforts is integral to achieving
sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Australia is providing $8 million over four
years to help children with disability access education that meets their needs. This includes
ensuring teachers are equipped to support and provide assistive devices and raising awareness of
the rights of children with disabilities.

From EMTVonline http://www.emtv.com.pg/more-teachers-qualify-to-educate-students-with-special-needs/

Poor hearing could lead to poor memory
New research has uncovered an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment among individuals
with a form of hearing impairment called central hearing loss. The findings suggest that this form
of hearing loss may have a neurodegeneration-related mechanism at its root.

Age is a significant risk factor for hearing loss. Worldwide, a third of seniors have a disabling form
of hearing loss.

A new study — led by Rodolfo Sardone, of the NIH and University of Bari in Italy — examines the
link between a form of age-related hearing loss and the risk of developing mild cognitive
impairment (MCI). MCI is a type of cognitive decline that although noticeable is not significant
enough to interfere with daily activities. Research shows that between 15 and 20 percent of those
aged 65 and above are likely to have MCI, which is also a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

Sardone and his colleagues examined more than 1,600 people who participated in the Great Age
Study, and the researchers' findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 70th
annual meeting.

From Medical News Today, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321050.php

Entrepreneurs with Disability research project

Are you a person with a disability who is self-employed, owns their own enterprise, has founded a
social enterprise or identifies as an entrepreneur? Or would you like the opportunity to be a small
business owner, entrepreneur or social entrepreneur in the future?

The University of Technology Sydney is conducting research to understand the experiences of

people with disability who are sole traders, have small businesses or are entrepreneurs.

You and your organisation are invited to participate in the Disability Business, Self-Employment &
Entrepreneurship Survey, an Australia-wide large-scale study which aims to understand the needs
of people with disability in business development, their experiences, the contributions they make,
the barriers they face, and the enablers for business success.

The survey is open. It's for you! It needs you now.

All published findings will be shared. It's to help people like you, organisations like yours, and
those you support. The questionnaire will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and can be
completed in different formats, such as large print or E-text.

To begin the survey click on http://utsbusiness.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6L7wdQakKxWm1lX

 Watch it ‘live’ on the internet or be part of the audience
Sunday 20 May 2018
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Darling Harbour Sydney

The 20th annual Libby Harricks Memorial Oration will be presented in 2018 by Dr Graeme Innes
AM. He was a Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, responsible for issues
relating to disability, race and human rights.

Watch the free video stream of the Oration at

https://webcast.gigtv.com.au/Mediasite/Play/984824b571ce437791f2303d9535ca711d

Free entry to the Oration - there is no need to register, just come along by 5.45pm to the
International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Sydney - Room: Cockle Bay 1, Level 3. Full
communications access will be provided:
 hearing augmentation
 live captioning
 Auslan interpreters

The Oration will be a key-note address during the Audiology Australia 2018 national conference in
Sydney. To see the full program for the Audiology Australia National Conference 2018,
visit http://www.audiologyaustralia2018.asn.au/conference.html

If you have questions about the Oration series, email Deafness Forum
at hello@deafnessforum.org.au

The Libby Harricks Memorial Oration series honours the memory of the first President of Deafness
Forum of Australia. Since 1999, the series has raised awareness of key issues relating to hearing
loss and deafness.
Avoid paying extra fees for bills you receive in the mail
Companies may be charging you extra to send your bills by mail. This fee may be charged by the
business to cover their costs to print and post your bill.

If you want to avoid this fee, there are some options that
might work for you.

The simplest way is to receive your bills electronically – by

email or via the company’s app. Check the company’s website
or contact the company to find out how you can change to
online billing.

If you are not able to receive bills electronically, find out if you
are eligible for an exemption from paper billing fees.

Companies have different rules about when they will give exemptions. Some companies will give
an exemption if customers:
 Are seniors
 Are registered for a concession
 Receive income support
 Are on a hardship program
 Don’t have internet access

Contact each of your providers and ask if you’re eligible for an exemption from paper bill fees, and
how to apply. If you have friends or family who may be eligible for an exemption, let them know
who to contact and how they can apply, so they can avoid paying extra fees for paper bills as
well.

If you have checked with a provider that you are eligible for an exemption, but are having trouble
getting your exemption processed, contact your local Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs agency.

For more information about paper billing, visit www.consumerlaw.gov.au/paperbilling

 Australian Capital Territory Access Canberra - Ph: 13 2281, act.gov.au/accessCBR

 New South Wales Fair Trading - Ph: 13 3220, fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
 Northern Territory Consumer Affairs - Ph: 1800 019 319, consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au
 Queensland Office of Fair Trading - Ph: 13 7468, qld.gov.au/fairtrading
 South Australia Consumer and Business Services - Ph: 13 1882, cbs.sa.gov.au
 Tasmania Consumer Services - Ph: 1300 654 499, consumer.tas.gov.au
 Victoria Consumer Affairs Victoria - Ph: 1300 558 181, consumer.vic.gov.au
 Western Australia Department of Commerce - Ph: 1300 304 054, commerce.wa.gov.au
64 Years of Hearing Loss!
By Gael Hannan

The other morning, I woke up and thought, today’s my

birthday. I’m 64.

How in the world did this happen to me? How can this
be?! It seems I’ve only just started feeling like
an adult and all of a sudden I’m a senior?

Then I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

The answer was right there, in the face, 64 years of living.

And my hearing? I can’t even say I have the ears of a 90-year-old, because I know many
nonagenarians (this is an age bracket, not an eating style) who can hear a pin drop. But after
almost six and a half decades of hearing loss, I’m getting a little concerned that we’re running out
of time to find a cure for it. What good will it do me when, at age 90, some perky young
audiologist in the nursing home says, “Hey, guess what, Mrs. Hannan? They’ve found a cure for
your hearing loss!”

“Eh?”

After she’s repeated herself several times and finally found my hearing aid which I’d once again
hidden under the mattress, I say, “Well, isn’t that nice, dear. When’s lunch?”

OK, I’m just ranting along here. I’ve long accepted that I’m going to take my hearing loss and
maybe my tinnitus into the next world with me. Just as I’ve long been grateful for the technical
advancements that have saved me from a dependent on lipreading. My hearing technology is a
life essential – along with water, air, food and wine – even though I’ve tried to drown it, stomp it
to pieces, bake it to a crisp in the sun, and bury it in the sand.

Yet this amazing hearing technology needs to be available to everyone and anyone whose life
could be changed by it. For this to happen, we have to keep pushing for more affordable access
to hearing technology from governments and corporations – access that is necessary to put us on
a level playing field with the hearing people.

Young people across the continent (Gael lives in the U.S.) are standing up and demanding safer
schools – surely that should inspire us to support organisations that are working for our needs as
people with hearing loss.

From Hearing Health and Technology Matters,

http://hearinghealthmatters.org/betterhearingconsumer/2018/omg-64-years-of-hearing-loss/
http://www.audiologyaustralia2018.asn.au/conference.html

Deafness and mental health

Child and Youth Mental Health Service, part of Queensland Government Health is conducting a
project on Deafness and Mental Health of deaf children and young people.

This questionnaire is for

 carers/parents of deaf infants, children, young people
 deaf children and young people

Child and Youth Mental Health Service would like to know what difficulties deaf children and
families face when trying to get help. Your responses will help to identify what current services
provide, what people do and do not know and how to work together to improve future mental
health care.

Child and Youth Mental Health Service will not collect any of your personal information and your
answers will remain private and confidential. If you enter the questionnaire you consent to
participating. An ethics waiver has been granted for this survey.

If you wish to provide further information or would like to get into contact about the project
please email nicole.davolio@health.qld.gov.au.

Begin the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M9MGXZP

20 May is World Bee Day

No life without bees

In addition to being one of the major pollinators, thus ensuring food and food security,
sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, bees significantly contribute to the mitigation of climate
change and environmental conservation. In the long-term, the protection of bees and the
beekeeping sector can help reduce poverty and hunger, as well as preserve a healthy environment
and biodiversity. Scientific studies have proven that bees have become increasingly endangered.

The purpose of the www.worldbeeday.org website is to present the initiative and its
implementation, raise awareness of the importance of bees and beekeeping, inform the public of
major beekeeping events around the world and celebrate World Bee Day.
https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/

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For as little as $5 you can support Deafness Forum. Thank you.
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