Phillip: I wanted to ask you about your experience booking interpreters using your NDIS funds? Kate: I have booked interpreters using my NDIS package, one issue I had was timing, for example in December, people are usually away on holidays. It makes it difficult to be able to book an interpreter regardless of how much notice is given. I usually book interpreters with two or three weeks notice and that often helps, but with the roll out of the NDIS more interpreters are being booked for that and for the workplace resulting in a shortage, it can often be hard to secure one. By booking interpreters in advance it gives me a real peace of mind. Occasionally agencies will let me know if they don't have any interpreters available, so they'll offer Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) instead. Depending on the practicalities of the booking it can depend on the availability of interpreters. I prefer to have an interpreter face-to-face, but it's not always available. Do you book interpreters at short notice? Phillip: No, I book interpreters in advance too, But just on that, what's your process for booking interpreters? Kate: Well, most of the time, I book interpreters online or via SMS to an agency that provides interpreting services and I'll give them more information about the booking. If I need one or two interpreters - as it depends on the length of the booking, that's a factor if you need to consider booking two interpreters. I tell them the location of course, and whether I self-manage my NDIS package or if it's plan-managed. That's about it. Either through an agency or privately. Phillip: Have you booked interpreters privately before? Kate: I've done both actually, however there are risks involved. If you Book an interpreter directly for any job, and they happen to call in sick on the day of the booking then I'm left trying to get an interpreter at the last min myself. Phillip: Right... Kate: whereas as usually if I book through an agency, they'd be doing all the leg work of finding a replacement interpreter on my behalf and will then tell me the outcome. It's part of their role and responsibilities. Instead of me asking the interpreters within in my network myself who is available at short notice, And you Phil? Phillip: Well I haven't booked interpreters directly before. It is something I've considered for ease. There are interpreters I've worked with frequently, we've gotten to know each other and have developed a trusting relationship and they become my preferred interpreters. I am particular at times when it comes to using certain interpreters in certain situations and I'm concerned that agencies may allocate different interpreters that aren't on my preference list. By booking privately I can contact these interpreters directly myself. But like what you said earlier, I don't have the energy to collect all their phone numbers, then message them one by one and wait for a reply on their availability. So I'm unsure if booking privately would work for me. I have recently started self managing my NDIS plan, as of late last year, and I have periodically booked interpreters since. Once it becomes more common for me I think I will then have the discussion with interpreters about the potential of direct work. Until then, I'm quite happy with the way the agencies managing procuring interpreters on my behalf. Kate: Yeah, I agree. I haven't booked a lot of interpreters privately; it really depends on the occasion. Not all that long ago, I was watching an interpreter work and I really liked the way that they interpreted so I asked them if they worked privately which they didn't. Some interpreters work exclusively via agencies I think it's because they don't have an ABN? I'm not really sure though. Am I right in saying that the NDIS won't pay for interpreters in the work place? Phillip: You're right Kate; there is separate funding for the workplace known as EAF funding. That stands for the Employment Assistance Fund. Kate: Right Phillip: The EAF is government funding that can be used for deaf employees who require interpreters in the workplace. Like the NDIS, the funding is annual, there is $6,000 allocated for interpreting costs. It's worth noting however that the EAF isn't only for Deaf people, it's for all eligible people with a disability who require support and modification in the workplace. Especially for those working for smaller businesses like Non for Profits who need to make adjustments that can be quite costly such as ramps. The EAF can cover such accessibility adjustments as well as other modifications like a mirror at the desk for deaf staff to see behind them, or visual alerts like a flashing alarm. Likewise Deaf people who work with colleagues who don't know how to sign can have Auslan taught in the workplace and Deaf Awareness training can also be paid for using the EAF, making the communication more accessible at work. This is all in addition to the $6,000 interpreting amount. And on that, it is capped. In my work I use interpreter's frequently resulting in the funds being used up well within the 12 months. Kate: Can you get extra interpreting funding? Phillip: No unfortunately not they're firm on the amount. Kate: Okay, so that I'm clear, the NDIS is only for personal, at-home and community type access and the EAF is just for work. They can't be used interchangeably Phillip: That's right. They can't be. If a community course is being provided with government funding they are responsible for providing the interpreters too. Kate: Oh Right, but if they don't? Phillip: Well then NDIS funding can be used. It depends on whether the course being run by a private organisation, business or non for profit. If they are a self funded private organization then the NDIS funds can be used for interpreters. If the course is being run by government funding, they have the responsibility to provide and pay for interpreters which might mean seeking or applying for more funding. Just back to the EAF discussion, there are different ways the funding can be accessed. There is an EAF form online you can fill out and apply for yourself it's pretty straightforward, or if you have a Human Resources department you can go to them, tell them your needs and they can get in contact with those who manage the EAF who will then in turn send an OT to assess the work place and discuss your individual needs. It's actually quite similar to the NDIS process. After the OT has gathered the evidence they require, the application is processed and the EAF becomes available. Kate: Okay so it doesn't follow the same reimbursement process like the NDIS does for self managed participants? Because I pay for services and make a claim via the MyGov app but the EAF works different. Phillip: You're right. How does the myGov process work? Kate: First of all to be able to log in, you need to fill out a form to register with all your personal information. PAUSE. You then set up your username and a secure password, it is worth noting that the myGov site isn't only for accessing the NDIS portal, you can also access your Medicare account on there and umm the ATO and Centrelink. There's a whole list of different services accessed via myGov it lists all the logos on the home page. There is really tight security on the site; you need to set up both a strong password and unique security questions to protect your privacy. Now, once you've paid the interpreter, you then make a claim by entering the secure portal putting in information like the date, the amount you paid for the interpreting service and then you scan and upload the receipt/invoice. It takes about two business days for it to process and the funds are then reimbursed back into your nominated bank account. It's really quick and easy, I've never had any delays, lost paperwork or any problems at all doing it that way. Everything is right there on the portal.