The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced in Australia in 2013 to address the inadequacies of a fragmented and underfunded service system for people with disabilities. For young children with developmental disabilities, NDIS services fall under the early childhood early intervention (ECEI) approach, the impact of which is yet to be documented. Considering the critical role of families in supporting their children with a disability, the aim of the present study was therefore to examine their experiences of the ECEI approach in the State of Victoria. Seventeen parents participated in interviews and focus groups, which generated information clustered around five themes: (1) accessing the NDIS and the ECEI; (2) plan development and implementation; (3) choice and control; (4) family and community life; and (5) parental distress. While highlighting the potential of the NDIS funding and its long-term benefits, participating parents reported numerous challenges in their pursuit of supports under the ECEI. It is concluded that for the NDIS to fulfil its promise and potential, substantive revisions of its systems, policies and practices will be required to be relevant and sensitive to the needs of young children with developmental disabilities and their families.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚国家残疾保险计划的实施

澳大利亚于 2013 年引入了国家残障保险计划 (NDIS)，以解决残障人士服务体系支离破碎和资金不足的不足。对于有发育障碍的幼儿，NDIS 服务属于幼儿早期干预 (ECEI) 方法，其影响尚待记录。考虑到家庭在支持残疾儿童方面的关键作用，因此本研究的目的是检查他们在维多利亚州使用 ECEI 方法的经验。17 位家长参加了访谈和焦点小组，产生了围绕五个主题的信息：(1) 访问 NDIS 和 ECEI；（二）规划制定和实施；(3) 选择和控制；(4) 家庭和社区生活；(5) 父母的苦恼。在强调 NDIS 资金的潜力及其长期利益的同时，参与的家长报告说，他们在寻求 ECEI 支持时遇到了许多挑战。结论是，为了使 NDIS 实现其承诺和潜力，需要对其系统、政策和做法进行实质性修订，使其与发育障碍幼儿及其家庭的需求相关并敏感。