Information, Linkages & Packages
(ILC)
The Information, Linkages & Capacity Building Project (ILC) is a program that carries out activities in the community as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). ILC is all about inclusion creating connections between people with disability and the communities they live in. Unlike the rest of the NDIS, ILC doesn’t provide funding to individuals, but provides grants to organisations to deliver projects in the community that benefit all Australians with disability, their carers and families.
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Information
The information aspect of the ILC program is about creating & dissemination information so that people with disability and their families and carers can have access to up-to-date, relevant, quality information so that that can make informed decisions. It is possible to disseminate information using multi-modal delivery methodologies including telephone, email, phone, SMS, social media, podcasts, written materials and other emerging technologies as well as various face-to-face methodologies such as forums, workshops, seminars and conferences. Example of information projects include:
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​ Online information hubs that act as a one-stop digital library of evidence based information, drawing together a repository of new and existing information and resources that are sourced locally, nationally and globally.
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Interactive websites that act a portal to utilise digital and automated technologies technology such as live chat and automated chat-bots to provide information, advice, stories of real-life experiences, tips, strategies, advice and referral pathways.
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Information booklets, toolkits and packages.
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E​nquiry services in which employed experts respond to phone, email and social media enquiries.
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The National Information Program has been created to ensure that people with disability, their families and carers have access to up-to-date, relevant information linking them to supports and services in the community.
Linkages
The linkages aspect of the ILC program is about forming relationships, connections and referral pathways in the community so that participants and carers are linked to services and supports they require in the community, and to ensure that providers can collaborate to connect and form meaningful connections with each other. Also known as community engagement, the linkages aspect of the ILC brings together stakeholders to identify and form connections between informal, mainstream and community supports. Examples of linkages programs include:
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​Community Hubs provide services and supports in one place tailored to local needs, circumstances and conditions. These hubs provide a safe place to provide activities and events, support groups, circles of support and community meetings.
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​Community of Practice bring together providers to share information, research and resources in formal and informal meetings. These provide important referral points, provide a chance for service provider to have discussions, undertake training together to build industry-specific skills, discuss bet-practice models and develop relationships with like-minded professionals. Community of practices aim to educate and give providers the tools and resources they require improve their understanding of client needs, how they can build their client's capacities.
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Service mapping collects information to determine the nature of the current situation to determine anticipated levels of support that will be required. This includes a Written Who's Who Guide so that people are aware of the supports that are available and how to access local services and supports
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Support Groups (i.e. peer & carer support groups and peer mentor programs) are co-facilitated groups of people with the lived experience of disability. Support groups provide an opportunity to form social connections and the development of friendships as well as provide people with strategies to engage with services, supports, social networks and community organisations.. Support groups often provide peer-to-peer informational education sessions, host presentations by local services, and are mediated by peer support navigators who can be professional or non-professional depending on the nature of the support group.
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Family liaison officers are employed to specialise in providing education, resources, peer support, social connection opportunities and referrals to people in the community.​
Capacity Building
The capacity building aspect of the ILC program is about people building knowledge, skills and confidence to form better practices so that people and providers can improve life outcomes.
The Economic & Community Participation Program
The Economic and Community Participation Program aims to connect people with disability to activities, employment and community supports and opportunities, helping communities and employers to be inclusive and responsive to people’s needs locally, and nationally.
The Mainstream Capacity Building Program
Mainstream Capacity Building Program builds the capacity, knowledge, skills, practices and cultures of mainstream services so they have the skills to meet the needs of people with disability through short term catalyst investments by targeting, accessing and improving the use of mainstream services by people with disability, to improve life outcomes.
Individual Capacity Building Program
Individual Capacity Building Program enables systematic, nationwide access to peer support, mentoring and other skills building opportunities for people with disability, carers and families. Individual capacity building is about making sure people with disability have the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to set and achieve their goals.
A national network of organisations run by and for people with disability, Disabled People Organisation and Families Organisations (DPOs/FOs) has been established and supported to deliver the individual capacity building program
ILC Investment Strategy
The NDIS Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program plays a critical role in ensuring all people with disability are supported to live more accessible and connected lives. The four programs are:
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