Life wasn’t meant to be lived alone. Getting out and about, meeting people, building friendships and participating in fun activities is an important part of living a full and active life. For people with disability, this requires accessing the right support, so they can do the things they love.

Social and Community Participation is all about helping people with disability be part of their community. This could be having a support worker help you participate in your favourite sport, getting transport to a regular activity, learning, and practicing a new skill, or staying at an overnight camp in the holidays.

Platform Disability Services provides Social and Community Participation services that help make your dreams a reality. We’ll take the time to understand what you’d like to learn or do, help you create a plan to make it happen with different types of activities and a mix of supports, and provide plenty of assistance along the way.

Some examples of NDIS community participation activities and supports are:

• Learning a new skill or pursuing a new interest, such as horse riding, art classes, sports coaching, community classes or sailing
• Going on a fun outing, such as visiting a farm to see animals, a day at the beach, attending a music concert, or a trip to the movies
• Everyday NDIS social activities, such as visiting the library, music classes, volunteering, or BBQs with friends
• Learning life skills that help you get out in the community, such as catching public transport
• Attending a holiday camp or day program where you can take part in vacation activities, build your capacity and make friends
• Joining a social club related to your interests, where you can make friends and enjoy time with others
• Community activities, such as playing your favourite sport for a local team or attending an event in your local area
• Having a support worker accompany you to an activity, and provide support so you can participate

FAQ.
How is Social and Community Participation funded under the NDIS?

Under the NDIS, assistance with social and community participation is a funded Support Category under your Core Support Budget (Assistance with Social and Community Participation) or Capacity Building Support Category (Increased Social and Community Participation). The first type of funding under Core Supports helps you engage in the community, while the second type under Capacity Building involves skills-based learning to help you access the community independently.

What does Social and Community Participation cover?

The NDIA covers what is ‘reasonable and necessary’ to help you meet your goals related to increased social and community participation. To find out what specifically is covered by your funding, send us an email or give us a call for some guidance on how NDIS funding works.

How can Social and Community Participation benefit me?

Social & Community Participation isn’t just fun – taking part in a range of activities also has plenty of benefits for participants and their families. These include:

• Access to activities you really enjoy with all the support you need.
• Increased confidence for social & community participation
• Having a stronger network to support you with independent living.
• Learning skills for everyday life to help you engage in the community (e.g. accessing public transport)
• Better physical health, mental health, and wellbeing
• Making new friends and socialising
• The satisfaction of learning a new hobby in a community setting
• An opportunity to take part in recreation activities you love.
• Better quality of life outcomes due to social participation
• Can decrease support costs in the long-term
• Increased opportunity for economic participation, as you are building skills that can help you get employment.