How to get support for your loved one with special needs | Part 2: Different types of help
This information is for people with disabilities and their families. 
In part 1 we talked about disability and how having special needs can make it harder for people to participate in daily activities. We also talked about how negative social attitudes about disability also makes it harder for people to enjoy their lives. 
Part 2 is about different types of help.
It is presented by Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (or MRC Tas for short).
Some types of support for people living with disability and special needs are: 
1.	NDIS - National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is managed by a government body named NDIA - National Disability Insurance Agency. 

An approved NDIS plan includes money to buy the help or equipment needed due to the disability so that you can participate in activities. NDIS does not replace medical practitioners or give you cash for other purposes. 

2.	DSP – Disability Support Pension. This is a type of income support from the government body called Services Australia. You might know them by the previous name Centrelink. 
An approved DSP application provides regular money (sometimes called a pension) from Services Australia (Centrelink) for your basic living expenses. 
3.	Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are community services (such as MRC Tas that can help you find information and supports) or specialist disability services (such as providers of individual support and group activities)
You need to apply for most services or supports. Many people need help and guidance to apply for support. It can involve many steps to find out if you are eligible for support. 
Most applications need formal medical evidence for your disability. It can be a health assessment and report from your General Practitioner (GP). They will be trying to understand the impact of the disability on your ability to participate in life. Often you will need to see a specialist in your type of disability as well.
You may also need to show proof of your age and also your permanent residency with your visa type or Australian Citizenship. 
For example, if you arrived to Australia under the Refugee Settlement Program with a visa 200, 202, or 204 – you are already an Australian Permanent Resident. 
If you have a problem applying for support, or a question, a complaint or simply forgot what you were meant to do - call the service directly to get help. 
Calling an interpreter first means you have an interpreter on the telephone to help you speak with the service easily. 
You might like to stop the audio so you can get a pen to write down these phone numbers. 
To find out about the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) phone 131 450 first to get an interpreter. Then clearly, say the name of the language you need an interpreter. Then, when the interpreter in on the phone, you can tell them that you want to speak to the NDIS 1800 800 110. They will connect you so that you can have your conversation or ask your question with the help of the interpreter. 
To find out about the DSP (Disability Support Pension) you can visit the nearest Centrelink office and ask. You can also call their multilingual phone services at 131 202 and speak to Centrelink in your language. 
To find out about other community or disability supports, call 131 450 first if you need an interpreter. Say your language, tell the interpreting service your name, and give the interpreter the phone number for Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania 03 6221 0999.
We welcome your feedback, questions or comments about this information. 
We hope this information has been useful for you, or someone you know.

Nepali_Support for people with special needs

Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting people from migrant backgrounds to settle successfully in Tasmania since 1979.