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The NDIS is failing profoundly disabled people stuck in group homes. Here’s how to fix it

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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is transforming the lives of tons of of hundreds of Australians with a disability. For the primary time, many can get the support they need to live more independently and be a part of society.

Yet the NDIS is failing people with essentially the most severe disabilities: those in housing and intensive care needs.

The overwhelming majority of people in this a part of this system live in group homes, with little alternative about where they live, who they live with, and who provides support. Worse, they face high levels of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Intensive housing and housing supports are some of the expensive parts of the NDIS, costing approximately AUD 15 billion in 2023-2024. Although this is a small group – around 7% of all NDIS participants – the whole variety of support packages for these participants is approximately 37% of the whole program expenditure.

At this price, disabled Australians deserve and taxpayers expect top quality services.

New evaluation in latest Grattan Institute study report shows how the federal government can create revolutionary alternatives to group homes that cost the identical or less.

Create alternatives to housing and life support

There are higher alternatives to group homes: these are generally known as individual life arrangements. United Kingdom, Canadaand closer to home, Western Australia reformed housing for people with disabilities and introduced recent housing solutions that supply people greater alternative and a more individualised approach.

Individual housing solutions are integrated into the community as much as possible. They depend on a combination of supports, from formal (hourly paid support employees), to semi-formal (landlords or roommates who receive a subsidy for his or her expenses), to informal (family and friends).

A bunch arrangement is where an adult with a disability in the NDIS lives with a ‘host family’ or ‘host roommate’, who is not related to them, in the host’s home, becoming a part of the household. The host is usually a couple or a person, they usually provide semi-formal support to help with day-to-day activities.

Individual housing solutions are based on formal and informal support.
Unai Huizi Photography/Shutterstock

The same arrangement is home-share: an adult with a disability in the NDIS lives in their very own home (either owned or rented) with a housemate who provides support. Hosts and housemates may help with emotional support, companionship, cooking, cleansing, night-time help and other household duties, and receive funding for their very own expenses.

Based on our estimates, individual housing solutions could possibly be cheaper than group homes, which operate on a one-to-three basis (one support employee for 3 disabled residents), as advisable in last 12 months’s Independent NDIS Assessment.


Individual housing solutions cost the identical or lower than group homes, compared to the 1:3 benchmark proposed in the review

A column chart comparing the average cost of a 1:3 group home, the average individual living arrangement, and the host's estimate and the estimated cost of sharing a home on an annual basis. The chart shows that all three alternative options are cheaper than 1:3 g

NDIS Review (2023); Grattan evaluation of unpublished provider data (2024)

Individually adapted housing is not only cost-effective, but additionally gives people with disabilities the chance to select where they live, who they live with and who supports them.

Share homes, not group homes

Instead of group homes which can be run more like service facilities than people’s homes, we recommend reforms that create shared homes. So when people with disabilities select to live with other people with disabilities and share support, they will select the rhythm of their day by day lives and who cares for them.

Moving to a system where paid support staff time may be shared can dramatically reduce support costs, as this chart shows. This is critical in a system that is facing enormous cost pressures.

We also recommend making systemic changes, including:

  • separation of housing and living support in shared accommodation, as Independent NDIS Assessment advisable
  • enforceable service agreements (similar to contracts) between disabled people and suppliers
  • support from housing and accommodation “navigators” to determine individual living conditions.
  • mandatory registration for providers of housing and life support services and unannounced inspections.

To give disabled people the chance to select where to live, the federal government should introduce a rental levy to help disabled people move out of group homes and into the private rental market.

An increasingly common feature of shared homes could be the sharing of each formal and semi-formal support. Combining the economies of scale of co-worker support with semi-formal roommate support can be an economical way of running shared homes in the long run.

Two women, one disabled, are sitting on a couch and looking at a phone.
People with disabilities must have the chance to select the people they live with.
Marcos Castillo/Shutterstock

Time for NDIS to come on board

Currently, disabled people have to provide extensive evidence in regards to the support they need and are then told what support they will get and how much – often without ever meeting the choice maker.

People are subsequently forced to choose from different options before they’ve the chance to try alternatives that could be higher, safer and cheaper.

Our proposal is that people with disabilities get a versatile budget up front. Then you may start planning.

People must have access to independent advice to plan their best life inside their budget. The National Disability Insurance Agency should commission housing and living navigators to provide disabled people with this vital support.

We all try different arrangements in life and regularly work out what works best for us. We need information and options to pick from to get the most effective end result – the identical goes for people with disabilities.

Providing the best services for people with essentially the most severe disabilities who need 24/7 support must be a litmus test for any government that wishes to get the NDIS back on the right track. Our research shows that real alternative and higher quality services are close by of Australians with disability – and governments don’t need to spend quite a bit more to do it.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

“Get Lifted” by John Legend (twentieth Anniversary Edition) [Interview] – Essence

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Photo credit: Danny Clinch

When John Legend unveiled his debut album in 2004, he couldn’t have predicted the extraordinary legacy it could construct over the following 20 years. Now, with the discharge the singer returns to the project that launched his profession and redefined the boundaries of R&B, hip-hop and neo-soul. Available now, the digital Deluxe Edition offers fans a refreshed tackle timeless classics with remixes, rare tracks and collaborations that bring latest energy to the music.

The twentieth Anniversary Edition includes 11 bonus tracks, including remixes from iconic artists equivalent to Tems, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, Simi and Black Thought. Two previously unreleased songs – “Do What I Gotta Do” and “Just In Time” – offer fans an intimate look into Legend’s creative process during this era. The album’s revival doesn’t end there; will even be available as 3LP vinyl in 2025, and all copies are signed by Legend.

Reflecting on the challenges of making an original album, the award-winning artist recalled the struggles of an aspiring artist trying to search out their sound. “I wrote a lot of this album when I wasn’t signed, so the big challenge was just figuring out what would work to give me a chance to get the music out there,” he explains. . “I’ve been trying to get a record deal for over five years, but record labels were turning me down both left and right.”

It was only when Kanye West took a likelihood on Legend and signed a contract with GOOD Music that all the pieces began to alter. Working with West and touring together opened doors for the University of Pennsylvania graduate. That same yr, he signed a record take care of Columbia and was able to hit the shelves. The album’s breakout single “Ordinary people” became the anthem that defined Legend’s artistry. “When it finally came out and made it work the way it did, especially with my second single, it was really beautiful to see it start to connect and connect with people,” she tells ESSENCE.

On the occasion of the anniversary edition, Legend collaborated with artists who provided a refreshing atmosphere to Legend’s debut – but remixes aren’t just repetitions of original songs. “I’m a fan of every artist we asked to be a part of the remix,” says Legend. “They have new beats, new energy, new vibes and of course new guest artists. It really brought a fresh perspective to music and excited me to reconnect with music.”

was a breakthrough album for the Ohio-born artist, combining multiple genres in a timeless and groundbreaking way. “I felt like it happened when neo-soul was already at its peak, so in a way it was almost like my reaction to neo-soul,” Legend reflects. “We also combine hip hop and gospel and create something fresh.” Legend’s commitment to songwriting is a thread that runs deep through his work then and now.

The physical format of music, especially upcoming vinyl releases, also plays a big role in maintaining the impact of the unique album. “There will always be people who want to hold something, read the sleeve notes, and play vinyl on their record players at home,” Legend states. “Especially when you’re celebrating an anniversary like this, it’s nice to have a commemorative thing that you can keep. This album means something to people because they remember 20 years ago when they started listening to it and what it meant to them then.”

Rekindling the magic of a pioneering debut, it also stands as a testament to Legend’s enduring craftsmanship. The album stays a masterclass in musical storytelling, connecting generations of fans and proving that great music, like great artists, only gets higher with time.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

US communities phase out fluoride use in public drinking water

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fluoride, water


There is a battle raging in American cities over whether to proceed using fluoride in water.

This is a process generally known as fluoridation that began around 1945. According to to the American Cancer Society became popular across the country after scientists noticed that individuals living in water with higher concentrations of fluoride had less tooth decay.

In 1962, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) advisable adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies to forestall tooth decay. The American Cancer Society estimates that fluoride is currently used in public drinking water supplied to roughly three in 4 Americans.

However, opponents have been warning for years that fluoride in drinking water is unsafe to devour. One of the organizations leading this initiative is Fluoride Action Network (FAN). The organization, whose mission is to lift awareness of what it claims is the “toxicity of fluoride compounds,” says many of the world’s developed countries don’t use fluoride in drinking water at the identical levels as America, or in any respect.

The organization says yes it helped over 500 communities successfully reject fluoridation, and there could also be more.

Federal leaders have gotten increasingly vocal in their support for ending the use of fluoride

While FAN says communities have rejected fluoridation for the past few a long time and the method has stalled in consequence, the fight has been thrust into the highlight over the past few months.

First, the National Toxicology Program, a federal agency throughout the Department of Health and Human Services, reported with “moderate certainty” that there may be an association between communities with higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children. According to the Associated Press, these communities use greater than twice the advisable limit.

A month later, a federal judge apparently ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because higher levels could affect children.

Robert F. Kennedy, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to direct the Department of Health and Human Services, announced an end to fluoridation.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

WATCH: Cynthia Erivo on the importance of being a sister – Essence

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“; } }); // Drag and scroll functionality const playlistContainer = document.getElementById(‘playlist’); let isDown = false; let startY; let scrollTop; playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousedown’, (e) => { isDown = true; playlistContainer.classList.add(‘active’); playlistContainer.offsetTop; scrollTop = playlistContainer.scrollTop; }); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseleave’, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); }); ‘, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousemove’, (e) => { if (!isDown) return; e.preventDefault(); const y = e.pageY -List Container playlist.offsetTop; const walk = (y – startY) * 3; // quick playlistContainer.scrollTop = scrollTop – walk; }); } } if (” !== ‘efoc24’) { // Check DoubleVerify Quality Targeting signals before rendering the player if ( ‘undefined’ !== PQ type ) { PQ.cmd.push(function () { // If DVQT signals are not available after 500 ms, render the player anyway. const timeout_id = setTimeout( jwPlayerRender, 500 ); // Get “Authentic Direct” signals. PQ.getTargeting({ signals: [‘abs’] }, function(error, targetingData) { clearTimeout(timeout_id); jwPlayerRender(error? undefined: targetingData); }); }); } else { jwPlayerRender(); } function jwPlayerRender( dvqt_signals=”” ) { let jw_ad_tag ​​= {“client”:”googima”,”adscheduleid”:”G7hR9pQ2″,”schedule”:[{“tag”:”https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?correlator=&iu=/21698916284/ess/VideoNews&env=vp&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&sz=400×300%7C640x480%7C1000x1%7C1920x1080&description_url=__page-url__&tfcd=0&npa=0&vpmute=1&vpa=auto&vad_type=linear&url=__page-url__&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&v=4QHYeDGA&pmnd=0&pmxd=60000&ad_rule=1&cust_params=ttid%3D4QHYeDGA%26frnch%3D__item-franchise__%26environment%3Dproduction%26kwblock%3DAbb%2CCapOne%2CLincoln%2CUPS%2CVG%2CATTCric%2CDisney”,”offset”:”pre”},{“tag”:”https://vid.springserve.com/vast/670880?url=https://www.essence.com/news/watch-cynthia-erivo-on-importance-of-sisterhood/h=450&w=800&cb=1535″,”offset”:”50%”}]”offers”:{“bidders”:[{“id”:”jw-video-4QHYeDGA”,”name”:”jwdemand”,”publisherId”:”evcxFIDZ”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”24399785″},{“id”:”jw-video-4QHYeDGA”,”name”:”connatix”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”23419a80-fc77-4fd5-bd0c-2a4807a66a6c”}]”settings”:{“disableConsentManagementOnNoCmp”:true,”mediationLayerAdServer”:”dfp”,”floorPriceCents”:200,”floorPriceCurrency”:”usd”,”buckets”:[{“increment”:0.1,”max”:30,”min”:0},{“increment”:0.5,”max”:50,”min”:30}]}}}; // Configure ad tag on the fly… let additional_params = {}; // Input DVQT signals. if ( dvqt_signals && dvqt_signals.ABS.length > 0 ) { additional_params.ABS = dvqt_signals.ABS.join(“,”); } // Create a string of additional_parameters. let extra_params_str=””; for (enter additional_parameters) { let value = additional_parameters[key]; additional_params_str += `${key}=${value}`; if ( key !== Object.keys( additional_params .pop() ) { additional_params_str += ‘&’; } } // Update ad tag cust_params (must be URL encoded). if ( Object.keys( additional_parameters ). length > 0 ) { let ad_schedule = jw_ad_tag.schedule; if ( ‘undefined’ !== schedule type ads ) { for (let i = 0; i < ad_schedule.length; i++) { let ad_url = new url(jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].label); let query_params = new URLSearchParams(ad_url.search); query_params.set("cust_params", query_params.get("cust_params") + `&${additional_params_str}`); ad_url.search = query_params.toString(); jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].tag = ad_url.toString(); } } } let playerId; if ("undefined" !== type jwplayerQueue) { playerId = 'jw-video-4QHYeDGA'; jwplayerQueue.push({ 'instanceId': 'playerInstance_4QHYeDGA', 'playerId': playerId, 'config': { pid: 't6KP9zcV', playlist: "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4QHYeDGA", autostart: !jw_ad_tag, repeat: true, mute: true, aspect ratio: '16:9', share: {sites: ["facebook", "twitter", "email", "linkedin"]}, cast: {}, float: {disibility: true}, autoPause: {viewability: true}, displaytitle: true, displaydescription: true, controls: true, related: {displayMode: 'shelfWidget'}, interactive: {} , ad: jw_ad_tag ​​​​} }); } // Load video. jQuery(window).trigger("jw:loadplayers"); function waitForJWPlayer(callback) { if (type jwplayer !== 'undefined') { callback(); } else { setTimeout(function() { waitForJWPlayer(callback); }, 500); } } waitForJWPlayer(function() { jwplayer(playerId).on('adsManager', function (adsManagerLoaded) { let adsManager = adsManagerLoaded.adsManager; let videoElement = document.getElementById(playerId ); let config = { anId: '929481' , camp ID: '640x360', ias_xps: "autoplay", // autoplay status ias_xbp: "2", // video destination type ias_xar: "1" // autoplay status }; // Start IAS integration googleImaVansAdapter.init(google, adsManager, videoElement , configuration });

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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