Toowoomba’s Scott Tiran is the perfect example of how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to work.
NDIS funding has allowed the 28-year-old, who has a moderate intellectual disability, to engage two disability support providers – Choice Passion and Life (CPL) and Wagtail Services to be supported to learn employment and social skills.
Now Scott has meaningful employment, he is building everyday life skills; he feels a valued member of society, giving back to his community socially and economically and his confidence and abilities are enabling him to grow enjoying greater social inclusion.
Scott is also utilising his NDIS funding to live independently; he’s got his Green P plates and he is working 3 days a week for CPL maintaining gardens and mowing lawns for tenants.
He’s also about to start his own gardening business, which will see him work a full week.
The new business opportunity came about when people heard about his impeccable work ethic and the meticulous way he maintained gardens, especially his parents. It wasn’t too long before word of mouth spread, and people were chasing him for quotes.
“I haven’t even advertised yet, and I have 3 clients already – not every week, some I do fortnightly, some I do monthly, but I’m hoping to build it up,” Scott said proudly.
Gardening for 6 years now, Scott said he really enjoys his job, it’s his happy place.
“CPL has taught me a lot about gardening – all the equipment and plants,” he said.
“I was also completed a Certificate I in Landscape Conservation and I was Trainee of the Year runner-up in 2017,” he added.
“For my 21st birthday all my family gave me money, so I bought gardening tools. I’ve pretty much got everything I need apart from a work Ute, which I’m currently saving for.”
New to running his own business and all the paperwork that comes with it, Scott said his Wagtail Services support worker, Daniel plays an integral part in it helping him to run it.
“When I go to do a quote Daniel comes with me. He helps me to write them up. He also supports me on the job and supports me at home to write invoices and email receipts,” he said.
On weekends Scott’s NDIS funding also supports him to enjoy other social and sporting activities.
“On Saturdays we go on lots of group outings. We go bushwalking, have BBQ’s, go swimming, go to the movies or we pay basketball,” he said.
“I also play touch football for the Toowoomba Twisters. It’s part of Toowoomba’s Touch All Abilities competition. It’s great out on the field passing the ball with all my teammates.”
Scott’s mum Michelle said she’s so proud of her son and how far he has come since he joined the NDIS when it first started in Toowoomba back in January 2017.
“It’s been beautiful to watch Scott’s growth and development and it’s incredible to look back and see how far he, and we as a family, have come,” she said.
“For us there’s never enough words, gratitude, or appreciation for the NDIS – for what it has provided and allowed. Without it and all of Scott’s supports he wouldn’t be where he is today.
“Scott is this incredible, mostly independent young man who has just taken off. It has been so beautiful to watch. We are just in awe of him and all he has achieved.”
Prior to the NDIS Michelle said felt “very anxious” about her son’s future.
“It makes me emotional to talk about,” she said. “I know we won’t always be here but now we know wherever we are Scott will be okay. It’s a beautiful feeling, one of relief.”
The NDIS is providing support to over 534,000 Australians and over half are receiving supports for the first time.
Over 120,000 Queenslanders are now benefitting from the NDIS.
