A framework for providing information in individualised funding programmes

Abstract

The need for all people with disability to have access to reliable information before they can make informed choices in individualised funding programmes is well documented. However, little guidance exists on how information can be provided to ensure it reaches its target audience. While information provision is important everywhere, there is a pressing need in the Australian context to ensure all people have access to information as the National Disability Insurance Scheme is designed and introduced. The authors identified key principles of information provision documented in the literature and used these to analyse their data from Australian studies of individualised funding programmes. The data came from 143 transcripts and records of interview in five studies conducted from 2011 to 2013. The analysis confirmed the importance of the principles previously documented and identified two additional principles, these being related to gender and 'hard to reach' groups. This analysis informs a new framework to increase equity and improve people's access to information in individualised funding programmes. Information needs to be: (i) accessible and diverse in format, mode, source and location; (ii) personalised and targeted; (iii) accurate, consistent and timely; (iv) from a trusted source; (v) independent; (vi) culturally appropriate; (vii) actively promoted to 'hard to reach' groups and (viii) gender appropriate. This paper provides a new framework to guide information in individualised funding programmes for professionals in roles ranging from policy makers to service delivery.

How do parents acquire information to support their child with a disability and navigate individualised funding schemes?

“…This seems to outweigh the focus on the information source being independent. Unlike the empirical data considered by Laragy, David, and Moran (2016), parents who have a young child with a disability are at the beginning of their journey where grief and anxiety may be amplified. In these critical early days, forging relationships built on trust and understanding may be a more pressing need and an effective conduit for information provision.…”

“…In summary, it appears that the eight principles proposed by Laragy, David, and Moran (2016) are largely applicable to parents of young children with disabilities. The one notable distinction, however, is the heightened reliance on information being provided by individuals who either have knowledge of their child or have shared a similar experience.…”

“…Laragy, David, and Moran () identify eight key principles that foster effective information provision. These principles, however, were not derived with specific consideration of parents of young children with disabilities.…”

“…Policymakers and service providers must heed this advice in particular to circumvent the chance of these already disadvantaged families being further disadvantaged. Laragy, David, and Moran (2016) identify eight key principles that foster effective information provision. These principles, however, were not derived with specific consideration of parents of young children with disabilities.…”

“…() argue that information should be delivered by professionals in a family‐centred planning context, rather than through other more generic sources such as websites. The context may be particularly important for families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those with no access to technology (Laragy, David, and Moran, ).…”