The life experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are often more complex than for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are hearing, or non-Aboriginal Australians who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. In turn, this can make engaging with and benefiting from policies and programs such as Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) more complex, particularly for individuals living in remote settings.

This paper argues the NDIS must enhance collaboration with participants, local communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, disability service providers, and the wider health system, to develop more locally led solutions that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deaf or Hard of Hearing participants to achieve better outcomes.