Empowering Lives Through Building With Strength.
My Journey as an NDIS Navigator and Consultant.
In my previous blogs, I’ve shared my personal experiences navigating the NDIS as a participant. Today, I’d like to take you behind the scenes of how those experiences led me to create Building With Strength, a business built to support others in understanding and navigating the complex world of the NDIS.
Building With Strength is not just a business; it’s a culmination of years of lived experience and countless interactions with both participants and providers. Having spent much of my life within the NDIS system, I quickly realised that many people—both participants and providers—needed help not just with understanding the system but in making the most out of it. Whether it was fellow participants asking how to maximise their funding, or support workers struggling to understand what they should include in documentation, I found myself offering guidance more and more frequently.
In response to this clear need, I decided to formalise my advice and turn it into a business. I enrolled in an Entrepreneurship and New Business course at TAFE to help develop a robust business plan, and I sought guidance from local providers who offered invaluable advice in shaping the direction of my venture.
A Business Built on Lived Experience
Building With Strength operates with a core philosophy: helping people maximise their choice and control under the NDIS, all while ensuring they remain compliant with the NDIS Code of Conduct. What makes my business stand out is that it’s built from personal experience. My own journey through the NDIS, from struggling to get the support I needed to understanding the ins and outs of funding, equips me with unique insights that many other consultants simply can’t offer.
The business has two main components:
1. For Participants: I assist those who don’t have Support Coordination funded in their NDIS plans, offering practical guidance on how to effectively manage their funding. This isn’t just about teaching them to navigate the system; it’s about empowering them to take control of their lives. Whether through Core or Capacity Building line items, I help participants increase their skills, get the most out of their plans, and access the supports they need.
2. For Providers: I work with a range of providers, from independent support workers to large organisations, offering the unique perspective of a participant. My services include assisting with NDIS applications, helping providers comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct, and developing essential documentation like service agreements and schedules of supports. For independent support workers, I also provide business advice—something that’s often requested but not typically covered by support coordinators or plan managers.
From Participant to Teacher Once More
While I’m no longer employed as a teacher in the traditional sense, I’ve never stopped teaching. My business allows me to pass on the skills and knowledge I’ve gained over the years to others. In addition to one-on-one consultations, I’ve run workshops for support workers, nurses, and psychologists, helping them grasp the basics of the NDIS and how to better support their clients.
In many ways, I feel like I’ve come full circle. Teaching might look different now, but the essence remains the same—empowering others through knowledge. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people gain confidence and control over their situations, and knowing that I’ve played a part in that transformation.
A Team Effort: Training My Support Workers
Because of the nature of my condition, I rely on support workers to help me with many aspects of my business. Given the importance of accurate information when dealing with the NDIS, I make sure my team is well-trained in the system’s processes. Sometimes, because of my speech difficulties, they need to relay my words to others. It’s crucial that they understand the nuances of the NDIS to ensure nothing is lost in translation.
This process has been a learning curve for all of us, but it’s one I’ve embraced. By training my support workers, I’m not just enhancing the quality of service I can offer through Building With Strength—I’m also giving them valuable skills they can carry into their own careers.
Staying Informed in a Changing Landscape
The NDIS is constantly evolving, and staying up to date is a full-time job in itself. I do this by enrolling in online courses and webinars, reading relevant articles, and following industry leaders. I’m also a member of several forums where I can discuss and debate the latest developments. When I come across misinformation on social media, I take it upon myself to correct it and provide accurate, up-to-date information. This dedication to staying informed not only benefits my business but also ensures that the advice I provide is always grounded in the most current knowledge.
Looking Ahead
Building With Strength is still growing, but the foundation is solid. I’ve taken what I learned from my own NDIS journey, combined it with the expertise I’ve developed through years of study and lived experience, and turned it into a business that truly helps others. Whether I’m assisting a participant in gaining more control over their life or guiding a provider in delivering better services, my goal is always the same: to empower people.
As I continue to grow the business, I remain committed to the same principles that inspired me to start this journey—providing practical, lived-experience-driven support that makes navigating the NDIS simpler and more effective for everyone involved.
While my formal teaching days may be behind me, Building With Strength allows me to continue sharing knowledge, building independence, and strengthening the lives of those who need it most.