Understanding Community Access and Community Participation Under the NDIS
Many NDIS participants hear the terms community access and community participation used interchangeably, but they are not the same. While both supports encourage greater independence and community involvement, they focus on different outcomes and play unique roles in helping participants achieve their NDIS goals. Community access is about helping participants get out into the community to complete everyday activities such as shopping, attending appointments, or using public transport. Community participation, on the other hand, focuses on building confidence, developing social skills, learning new abilities, and participating in meaningful activities with others. Understanding the difference between community access vs community participation can help you choose the right supports for your needs and make the most of your NDIS funding. In this guide, we’ll explain how each support works, provide practical examples, and help you decide which option best aligns with your goals.
You can confirm our official registration on the 👉 NDIS Commission website
What Is Community Access?
Community access focuses on helping NDIS participants get out into the community to complete everyday activities and become more independent. The support is centred on practical tasks that allow participants to access services, facilities, and essential destinations with greater confidence.
Examples of community access include:
- Shopping Trips
- Medical Appointments
- Banking
- Library Visits
- Public Transport Training
Community access support helps participants develop everyday living skills while encouraging greater independence and confidence in their local community.
What Is Community Participation?
Community participation focuses on helping NDIS participants become actively involved in social, recreational, educational, and community activities. The goal is to build confidence, develop new skills, create meaningful relationships, and increase community inclusion.
Examples of community participation include:
- Social Groups
- Art Classes
- Sports Programs
- Community Events
- Volunteering
Through community participation activities, participants can improve social skills, build independence, and work towards their NDIS goals in a supportive and engaging environment.
Key Differences Between Community Access and Community Participation
Although both supports help participants become more independent, they serve different purposes. Community access focuses on completing everyday tasks, while community participation encourages social inclusion, skill development, and meaningful engagement within the community.
| Community Access | Community Participation |
|---|---|
| Accessing community locations | Participating in social and community activities |
| Focuses on everyday independence | Focuses on engagement and inclusion |
| Often involves individual activities | Often involves group-based activities |
| Builds practical daily living skills | Develops social skills and confidence |
Understanding these differences can help you choose the right support, or a combination of both, to achieve your NDIS goals.
How NDIS Funding Works for Community Access and Participation
The NNDIS funding for community access and community participation depends on the participant’s disability-related support needs, goals, plan and applicable funding rules.
Depending on the individual plan, funded assistance may help a participant attend appointments, access community facilities, take part in social activities or develop greater independence. The supports must meet the relevant NDIS requirements and be appropriately included in the participant’s plan.
Funding should not be assumed to be available simply because an activity is beneficial. Participants should check their plan, discuss their support needs with their NDIS contact or support coordinator where applicable, and confirm which supports can be funded.
The most suitable support is the one that helps the participant work towards their goals while meeting their individual needs.
Remove the current bullet list containing “Core Supports”, “Capacity Building Supports” and “Goal-Based Supports”. Do not present “Goal-Based Supports” as a separate funding category.
Benefits of Community Access
Community access helps participants become more independent by supporting them to complete everyday activities with greater confidence. It also encourages participants to build practical skills that can improve daily living and overall wellbeing.
- Increased Confidence
- Greater Independence
- Improved Daily Living Skills
- Better Transport Skills
Benefits of Community Participation
Community participation gives participants opportunities to connect with others, learn new skills, and take part in meaningful activities. These experiences can improve confidence, encourage independence, and strengthen community connections.
- Building Friendships
- Improving Communication Skills
- Growing Confidence
- Greater Community Inclusion
Which Support Is Right for Your Goals?
The right support depends on what the participant wants to do and the assistance they need to do it.
| Participant’s goal | Support that may help |
| Attend appointments, access local facilities or complete everyday activities in the community | Community access support |
| Join social groups, recreational activities or community events | Community participation support |
| Build confidence in social situations and develop relationships | Community participation support |
| Develop independence while attending activities outside the home | Community access or participation support, depending on the assistance required |
| Work towards greater independence and involvement in the community | A combination of supports, where appropriate and funded |
These examples are general guidance, not a guarantee of NDIS funding. The participant’s needs, goals, plan and applicable funding rules determine which supports may be appropriate.
Community Access and Participation Services in Perth
At Elmur Community Services, we support participants to achieve greater independence and build mElmur Community Services supports participants to work towards greater independence and take part in activities that are meaningful to them.
Depending on individual needs and agreed service arrangements, support may include assistance to access community facilities, attend appointments, participate in suitable activities and maintain social connections.
Elmur supports participants across areas including Canning Vale, Thornlie, Harrisdale, Southern River and Gosnells. Explore our Community Participation services to learn more about the support available and discuss your goals with our team.
Remove the existing list of locations if it duplicates the same list elsewhere on the page. Keep it in this section only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing between community access and community participation depends on your goals, interests, and the outcomes you want to achieve. Here are answers to some common questions.
1. What is community access under the NDIS?
Community access generally refers to assistance that helps a person with disability access places and services in the community, such as appointments, local facilities and everyday activities.
2. What is community participation under the NDIS?
Community participation focuses on helping a person take part in social, recreational and community activities that are meaningful to them. Depending on their goals, this may include groups, events, hobbies or other activities.
3. Can the NDIS fund both community access and community participation?
A participant may receive different types of support where they meet the relevant NDIS funding requirements. What can be funded depends on their disability-related needs, plan and applicable rules.
4. Can support workers assist with community access?
Support workers may assist with agreed activities such as attending appointments, accessing community facilities and participating in everyday community activities, where this is within the service arrangement.
5. What activities can community participation include?
Examples may include social groups, recreational activities, community events, hobbies and other suitable activities that support the participant’s interests and goals. The activities and assistance should be planned around the individual’s needs.
Looking for Community Access and Participation Support in Perth?
Whether you need support accessing your local community or participating in meaningful social activities, Elmur Community Services is here to help you achieve your NDIS goals with personalised, person-centred support.
Email: info@elmur.com.au
Phone : (08) 6558 8814
Website : Elmur Community Services
Follow us : Facebook