Understanding NDIS Foundational supports

When navigating the NDIS, it’s easy to focus on funded supports – the line items and budgets that shape a participant’s plan. But increasingly, there’s recognition that access to everyday, low-intensity and universally available supports is just as important. These are known as Foundational Supports and they play a critical role in creating inclusive communities where people with disability can thrive. 

What Are Foundational Supports? 

Foundational Supports are part of a two-tiered approach to disability support under the NDIS. Unlike individually funded supports that require a participant plan, foundational supports are designed to be widely available, low-barrier services that promote inclusion and early intervention. 

The recent NDIS Review (2023) reinforced the importance of these supports, proposing a National Disability Support Ecosystem where foundational supports are offered more consistently and equitably across Australia. The goal is to ensure people with disabilities, including those not eligible for the NDIS, can access supports that build skills, promote independence and support participation in daily life. 

Types of foundational supports can include: 

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official NDIS fact sheet on foundational supports: Foundational supports for all people with disability – NDIS Review 

How Does MyComms Fit In? 

MyComms is a visual supports platform designed to help people of all ages communicate, understand routines and feel more prepared for everyday life. While it can be funded through an indiviaul NDIS plan as a low-cost assistive technology, it also aligns strongly with the intent of foundational supports. Here’s how: 

1. Accessible to All 

MyComms is intentionally designed to be low-cost and simple to use – making it suitable for people both within and outside the NDIS. This means families, schools, support workers and health services can use it without needing a formal diagnosis or a specific funding plan. 

2. Supports Inclusion in Everyday Settings 

Whether preparing for a dentist visit, navigating school routines or breaking down steps in a self-care task, MyComms empowers users to create and personalise visual tools that promote participation and reduce anxiety. This aligns with the foundational support goal of making everyday environments more accessible. 

3. Strengthens the Role of Families and Communities 

Foundational supports aren’t just about the person with a disability – they’re also about equipping the people around them. MyComms makes it easier for families, carers, educators, health professionals and support workers to embed communication supports into daily life, routines and relationships. 

4. Builds Capability Over Time 

At its core, MyComms is about skill-building – from executive functioning and communication to independence and choice-making. These are lifelong capacities, supported by simple visual tools that adapt as the user grows. 

Looking Ahead 

As Australia continues to shape the future of disability support, tools like MyComms can play a meaningful role; not as a replacement for funded supports, but as part of a broader ecosystem of resources that promote inclusion, understanding and self-determination. 

Foundational supports are a reminder that inclusion starts before a plan is written and beyond what’s listed in a budget. It starts with access to information, to tools and to a community that values communication for all.