- Title
- An investigation of services for child with a hearing loss and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Creator
- Barr, Megan
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2021
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- Children with hearing loss require early identification combined with regular audiology appointments and speech and language support to achieve their potential. However, services can vary in different areas of Australia, particularly for children living in rural areas. The recent introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a foundational change to disability services and funding in Australia. Several studies have investigated general experiences of the NDIS however, few studies have addressed the influence of the NDIS on specific disability groups. This study aimed to investigate the experience of services for children with hearing loss, with a focus on the NDIS. A mixed methodology study and convergent design were employed to investigate the experiences of parents of children with hearing loss and the professionals who work with them. Surveys with closed and open questions were completed by 100 parents and 88 professionals from all states and territories. Between-group comparisons were made, and regression analysis examined the influence of parental disadvantage on experiences of the NDIS. Surveys were followed by semi-structured individual interviews with seven parents and eight professionals in different urban and rural areas of Australia to obtain detailed data about services for children with hearing loss. The study found that children with hearing loss in rural areas experienced reduced quality and frequency of services. Parental satisfaction with the NDIS was divided, as some parents reported improved supports for their child, but other parents reported reduced supports. Professionals more consistently reported dissatisfaction with the NDIS, citing inconsistent funding allocations and additional workload. The culmination of multiple challenges with the NDIS evoked an emotional response from both parents and professionals. As data for the study was collected during the early stages of NDIS rollout, study findings are discussed in light of recent changes to the NDIS.
- Subject
- chidren; hearing loss; NDIS; services; disability; thesis by publication
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1483121
- Identifier
- uon:51074
- Rights
- Copyright 2021 Megan Barr
- Language
- eng
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 5 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 853 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |