When people hear the phrase community participation, they often think of social outings. Coffee with friends. Attending a local event. Joining a club. Going to the gym. Participating in a community group. On paper, these activities can appear optional. Nice to have. Something people do in their spare time. But [...]
For most Australians, an annual review sounds like a routine administrative process. For many NDIS participants and their families, however, a plan review can be a source of significant anxiety. Questions begin to surface long before the meeting takes place. Will my funding stay the same? Will I need to [...]
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was created to give Australians with disability greater choice, control and independence. For participants and families to have confidence in the system, that support must be delivered by people who meet the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and safety. At Lion and Mouse Australia, [...]
The NDIS is about to undergo its most significant changes since it was first introduced. From mid-2026 onward, the way support needs are assessed, plans are built, and funding decisions are made will begin to shift. These changes will not happen all at once – they will roll out gradually [...]
The Australian Government announced the most significant changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since it began. These reforms are linked to the 2026 Federal Budget and were outlined by the Minister for Health and the NDIS in public statements and a National Press Club address. If you are [...]
This year marks Lion and Mouse’s first year, and what a year it has been. When we started Lion and Mouse, we knew the disability space was challenging. What we didn’t fully realise was just how much uncertainty, change and pressure families would be under as the NDIS continues to [...]
Navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re trying to make sure your plan truly supports your life, goals, and independence. Many participants and families worry about using funding “incorrectly,” while others don’t realise how much flexibility and opportunity their plan actually offers. The good news? With the [...]
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be overwhelming, especially when trying to understand the different roles involved in supporting participants. Two of the most commonly confused roles are Local Area Coordinators (LACs) and Support Coordinators. While both help participants connect with supports, they serve very different purposes and are funded in [...]
The planned introduction of the I‑CAN assessment tool is a landscape shifting quickly. Many of the rules that will guide how I‑CAN is used in planning are still being written, with public consultations scheduled for early 2026. In this environment, people with disability, families, providers, and advocates are trying to [...]
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is gearing up for one of its biggest changes yet: the introduction of the I-CAN assessment tool – short for Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs. From mid-2026, this tool will become the standard way to assess support needs for participants aged [...]
