Does the NDIS fund hearing aids?

Yes, the NDIS funds hearing aids for eligible participants as assistive technology under capital supports. This includes the cost of the hearing aid device, fitting and programming by an audiologist, maintenance and repairs, and replacement when the device reaches end of life (typically every 5 years). The NDIS also funds cochlear implant maintenance (processor upgrades, batteries, spare parts), though the surgical implantation itself is a health system responsibility. Hearing aids under $1,500 may be purchased as low-cost AT without a formal assessment. More expensive hearing aids require an audiological assessment and quote.

Does the NDIS fund Auslan interpreters?

Yes. The NDIS funds Auslan interpreting services for Deaf participants as a communication support. This can be included in a participant's plan under Improved Daily Living or as part of their core supports depending on the context. Auslan interpreting may be funded for NDIS plan meetings, medical appointments, education, employment, community participation, and other situations where the participant needs an interpreter to access services and participate fully. Providers who are not Auslan-fluent should arrange accredited Auslan interpreters (NAATI-certified) when working with Deaf participants.

What assistive technology does the NDIS fund for vision impairment?

The NDIS funds a wide range of assistive technology for participants with vision impairment, including screen reading software (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), screen magnification software (ZoomText), portable electronic magnifiers (CCTVs), braille displays and notetakers, smart canes and electronic travel aids, GPS navigation devices designed for blind users, text-to-speech devices, large-print keyboards and displays, and accessible smartphones and tablets with accessibility features. The assessment and prescription of AT for vision impairment should be conducted by an orthoptist, optometrist with low vision expertise, or an occupational therapist with assistive technology specialisation.

What is orientation and mobility training and does the NDIS fund it?

Orientation and mobility (O&M) training teaches people with vision impairment to move safely and independently through their environment. This includes learning to use a white cane, navigating familiar and unfamiliar environments, using public transport, road safety skills, and using electronic travel aids. The NDIS funds O&M training as a capacity building support under Improved Daily Living. It is typically delivered by a qualified orientation and mobility specialist and can be funded for both initial training and refresher sessions when a participant's needs change (e.g., moving to a new area, vision deterioration).

How do I document communication support for Deaf NDIS participants?

Documentation for Deaf participants should record the communication method used during each interaction (Auslan, written English, lipreading, captioning), whether an Auslan interpreter was present and their name/NAATI number, the participant's communication preferences and any accessibility needs, what information was communicated to and by the participant, and any barriers to communication encountered and how they were addressed. It is important to recognise that for many Deaf Australians, Auslan is their first language and written English is a second language — documents and information should be provided in Auslan (via video or interpreter) where needed to ensure genuine understanding.

NDIS Supports for Sensory Disability: Vision and Hearing Impairment Provider Guide

Sensory Disability and the NDIS

Sensory disability encompasses conditions that affect the senses of vision and hearing. Under the NDIS Act 2013 (Section 24), a person with sensory disability may access the NDIS if their impairment is permanent (or likely to be permanent) and substantially reduces their functional capacity in one or more areas of daily life.

The NDIS supports approximately 30,000 participants with vision impairment and 25,000 participants who are Deaf or hard of hearing as their primary disability. Many more participants have sensory impairment as a secondary condition alongside other disabilities — for example, older adults with intellectual disability who develop age-related hearing loss, or people with cerebral palsy who also have cortical vision impairment.

Key sensory disability categories

Category	Description	NDIS Access
Blindness	Total or near-total vision loss (visual acuity less than 6/60 in the better eye)	Meets NDIS disability criterion; typically eligible for full NDIS plan
Low vision	Significant vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses or surgery but some useful vision remains	Meets NDIS disability criterion if functional impact is substantial
Deafness (Deaf)	Profound hearing loss; typically uses Auslan as primary language	Meets NDIS disability criterion; may access through Deaf community pathway
Hard of hearing	Mild to severe hearing loss; may use hearing aids, cochlear implants, and/or spoken language	Meets NDIS disability criterion if functional impact is substantial
Deafblindness	Combined vision and hearing loss that creates unique access and communication needs beyond either impairment alone	Meets NDIS disability criterion; requires specialist communication support (tactile signing, deafblind interpreting)

NDIS Supports for Vision Impairment

NDIS participants with vision impairment access supports across all three funding categories. The specific supports depend on the severity of vision loss, the participant's age, and their individual goals.

Common NDIS-funded supports for vision impairment

Orientation and mobility training — learning to navigate environments independently using a white cane, tactile cues, and electronic travel aids
Assistive technology — screen readers, magnification software, portable electronic magnifiers, braille displays, GPS devices, accessible smartphones
Daily living skills training — learning adaptive techniques for cooking, cleaning, personal care, and household management with vision loss
Community access support — support workers assisting with errands, appointments, social activities, and navigating unfamiliar environments
Support coordination — connecting with specialist vision services, mainstream supports, and assistive technology suppliers
Therapeutic supports — orthoptic assessment, low vision rehabilitation, occupational therapy for environmental modifications

Registration groups for vision impairment providers

The most relevant registration groups for providers supporting participants with vision impairment include:

0128 (Therapeutic Supports) — for orthoptists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals delivering vision-specific therapies
0117 (Development of Daily Living and Life Skills) — for providers delivering independent living skills training
0115 (Daily Personal Activities) — for personal care and daily living assistance
0125 (Community Participation) — for community access support
0132 (Support Coordination) — for coordinating multiple supports

NDIS Supports for Deafness and Hearing Loss

NDIS supports for Deaf and hard of hearing participants focus on communication access, assistive technology, and capacity building. The specific supports vary significantly depending on whether the participant is culturally Deaf (using Auslan as their primary language), hard of hearing (using spoken language with amplification), or deafened later in life.

Common NDIS-funded supports for hearing loss

Auslan interpreting — access to accredited Auslan interpreters for medical appointments, NDIS meetings, education, employment, and community participation
Hearing aids — digital hearing aids, cochlear implant processor maintenance, bone-anchored hearing aids
Assistive listening devices — FM systems, captioning services, vibrating alarms, flashing doorbells, hearing loops
Communication support — captioning, note-taking, lip-reading support, real-time captioning for events and meetings
Auditory-verbal therapy — for children with hearing loss who are developing spoken language through cochlear implants or hearing aids
Auslan tuition — for participants (and their families) learning Auslan as a primary or additional communication method

NDIS vs Health System

The NDIS funds the maintenance of cochlear implants (processor upgrades, batteries, repairs, spare parts) but does not fund the surgical implantation or initial activation — that is the responsibility of the state/territory health system. Similarly, audiological assessment is generally a health system responsibility (Medicare-funded), while the assistive technology recommended through that assessment may be funded by the NDIS. Providers must be clear about this boundary when supporting participants with hearing technology.

Auslan Interpreter Access

For Deaf NDIS participants who use Auslan, interpreter access is a fundamental communication right — not a luxury. The NDIS Practice Standards require that participants receive information in a way that is accessible to them (Outcome 1.4 — Independence and Informed Choice). For Deaf participants, this means providing Auslan interpreting whenever significant information is being communicated.

When to provide Auslan interpreting

NDIS plan meetings and plan reviews
Service agreement discussions and signing
Support plan development and review
Complaints processes and feedback sessions
Medical appointments (when the participant attends with a support worker)
Community activities where verbal communication is required
Emergency situations (ensure the participant understands what is happening and what to do)

Interpreter standards

Auslan interpreters should be NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) certified. Providers should not rely on family members, friends, or unqualified staff to interpret for Deaf participants, except in genuine emergencies where a professional interpreter is not available. Using unqualified interpreters risks miscommunication, breaches of privacy, and power imbalances.

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Assistive Technology for Sensory Disability

Assistive technology is a cornerstone of NDIS support for participants with sensory disability. The NDIS funds AT that enables participants to access information, communicate, navigate their environment, and participate in community life.

AT for vision impairment

AT Category	Examples	Typical Cost Range
Screen access software	JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, ZoomText, SuperNova	$0 (NVDA is free) to $1,800+
Electronic magnifiers	Portable CCTV, desktop video magnifier, handheld magnifier with light	$200 – $5,000+
Braille technology	Braille display, braille notetaker, braille embosser	$3,000 – $15,000+
Navigation aids	GPS devices for blind users, smart cane, electronic travel aid	$500 – $3,000
Daily living aids	Talking scales, liquid level indicators, colour identifiers, tactile labels	$20 – $200 (low-cost AT)

AT for hearing loss

AT Category	Examples	Typical Cost Range
Hearing amplification	Digital hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aid processors	$2,000 – $12,000+ per pair
Cochlear implant maintenance	Processor upgrades, batteries, coils, spare parts, cases	$5,000 – $15,000 per upgrade cycle
Assistive listening devices	FM systems, remote microphones, hearing loops, TV streamers	$300 – $3,000
Alerting systems	Vibrating alarm clocks, flashing doorbells, baby cry alerters, fire alarm signalers	$50 – $500
Communication technology	Video relay service equipment, captioned telephone, live captioning services	Varies

Orientation and Mobility Training

Orientation and mobility (O&M) training is a specialised service that teaches people with vision impairment to travel safely and independently. The NDIS funds O&M training as a capacity building support under Improved Daily Living.

What O&M training covers

White cane skills — selecting the right cane, cane techniques for indoor and outdoor travel, detecting obstacles, changes in terrain, and doorways
Route planning — learning specific routes (home to shops, home to workplace, home to public transport) using systematic instruction
Public transport — independently navigating bus, train, and tram systems, including finding stops, reading timetables (using accessible technology), and boarding/alighting safely
Road safety — crossing roads safely using auditory and tactile cues, traffic light sequences, pedestrian crossings
Electronic travel aids — using GPS navigation, smartphone accessibility features, and other technology to supplement cane travel
Unfamiliar environments — strategies for navigating new locations independently, asking for and using sighted guide assistance appropriately

Provider registration for O&M

Orientation and mobility specialists typically deliver services under registration group 0128 (Therapeutic Supports) or 0117 (Development of Daily Living and Life Skills). O&M specialists should hold a relevant qualification (typically a Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility) and be members of the Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA).

Communication Support Documentation and Progress Notes

Progress notes for participants with sensory disability must capture not just what supports were delivered but how communication was facilitated throughout the session. This is a critical compliance requirement under the NDIS Practice Standards.

Documenting supports for Deaf participants

Record the communication method used during each interaction (Auslan, written English, lipreading, captioning)
If an Auslan interpreter was present, record their name and NAATI accreditation number
Document what information was communicated to and by the participant — not just what staff said
Note whether the participant appeared to understand the information provided (and how this was confirmed)
Record any communication barriers encountered and how they were addressed
Document the participant's communication preferences for future reference

Documenting supports for participants with vision impairment

Record any sighted guide assistance provided (where, for how long, any challenges encountered)
Document O&M skill development — routes practised, cane technique used, independence level
Record assistive technology used during the session and any issues with the technology
Document how written information was provided (large print, braille, audio, screen reader)
Note any environmental modifications made to support the participant's vision needs (lighting adjustments, contrast improvements, obstacle removal)

Example progress notes

Poor Documentation	Compliant Documentation
"Helped Anna go to the shops"	"Supported Anna's O&M goal (Goal 2: Navigate independently to local shops). Anna used her white cane and walked the route from home to the corner shop (approx. 300m). She correctly identified and crossed the pedestrian crossing at Main Street. At the shop, Anna used her iPhone camera with VoiceOver to identify product labels. Anna completed the route independently with staff providing standby assistance only. Last month, Anna required verbal prompting at the pedestrian crossing."
"Had NDIS plan meeting"	"Attended NDIS plan review meeting with Lucas. Auslan interpreter present: Jane Smith (NAATI Certified, #12345). Lucas expressed through Auslan that he wants more community participation funding to attend Deaf social events. Lucas signed his updated service agreement with the interpreter facilitating the discussion. All meeting outcomes were summarised in Auslan by the interpreter before the meeting concluded."

Poor Documentation

Compliant Documentation

"Helped Anna go to the shops"

"Supported Anna's O&M goal (Goal 2: Navigate independently to local shops). Anna used her white cane and walked the route from home to the corner shop (approx. 300m). She correctly identified and crossed the pedestrian crossing at Main Street. At the shop, Anna used her iPhone camera with VoiceOver to identify product labels. Anna completed the route independently with staff providing standby assistance only. Last month, Anna required verbal prompting at the pedestrian crossing."

"Had NDIS plan meeting"

"Attended NDIS plan review meeting with Lucas. Auslan interpreter present: Jane Smith (NAATI Certified, #12345). Lucas expressed through Auslan that he wants more community participation funding to attend Deaf social events. Lucas signed his updated service agreement with the interpreter facilitating the discussion. All meeting outcomes were summarised in Auslan by the interpreter before the meeting concluded."

The NDISCompliant Notes Rewriter can help you reformat your shift notes into structured, goal-linked documentation that captures communication methods and sensory-specific details.

Important: This article provides general guidance about NDIS compliance requirements. It is not legal or professional advice. Requirements may change as the NDIS Commission updates its policies and Practice Standards. Always verify current requirements with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or a registered NDIS consultant before making compliance decisions.