There is very real potential in the NDIS. People living with a disability have historically experienced structurally entrenched forms of disadvantage. These disadvantages have manifested in a variety of ways and have been experienced differently on an individual level, yet broadly speaking they have effected all aspects of individual's lives and rights as citizens and persons; disadvantages have been political, economic and social. Together all three readings this week highlight the enormous impact disability schemes have on individuals and the monumental task the current reforms have in addressing these issues.
Ultimately, any in depth discussion is both outside the scope of this discussion but also my very preliminary understanding of the issue. However, while the NDIS is being sold as significant and positive, any current changes have only managed to significant and positive in rhetoric alone.
The NDIS is undeniably a social policy delivered within neoliberal economic ideologies. Grover and Soldatic (2012) clearly demonstrate how restructuring has occurred in line with neoliberal labour market trends. Without going into a detailed analysis of the negative consequences of delivering social policy using neo liberal ideologies, it is suffice to say that there is an overwhelmingly large amount of evidence that demonstrates social policy is not delivered though the market mechanisms alone. Generally the market has clearly created large disparities in levels of advantage and disadvantage, and creating disability schemes that further rely on market forces will only foster further disadvantages for some. .
Goggin and Wadiwel (2014) demonstrate the importance of political participation in overcoming the entrenched structural disadvantages experienced by people living with disabilities. However, it is my belief that changes which only effectively attempt to promote market needs, will never actively attempt to create real structural change necessary to remove barriers and utilise resources towards ensuring those living with a disability receive equal political power to those without disabilities.
