This evaluation explores four main areas of the the Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer (ADLO) program. The goal of the ADLO program is to improve how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) connects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability. 

The program sought to address several challenges that NACCHO had identified including service demand, service supply and insufficient service providers. This means that less people with disability gain NDIS support than is warranted and when they do, they face culturally thin markets, regardless of their geographical location. 

The evaluation had a priority focus on the second funding cycle, while also drawing on learnings and knowledge captured during the initial year of the ADLO program.

Twelve recommendations have emerged from the evaluation. The first seven focus on future program design, responsibility and funding and the last five on program implementation.

Key findings

• ADLOs provide high quality support to people with disability who are either seeking to or already access the NDIS.
• Further workforce development is needed.
• NACCHO is an emerging leader in designing, co-ordinating and delivering culturally safe service models.
• NACCHO could develop culturally safe service models further with a better funded program that includes more capacity for a central policy and advocacy function.