Keeping up with the constant NDIS changes:
what information sources can I trust?
The internet has become an integral hub for knowledge and insight in the modern world and is at the forefront of global information gathering. As we continue to rely on search engines to provide us with the most up to date information that is out there, it is easy to become lost in the plethora of news articles and stories that don’t always seem to match up. As many registered NDIS providers in Cairns will know, the industry is constantly changing, and legislation continues to be amended. While self-proclaimed expert sites may appear to be reliable, the old idiom of ‘hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth’ is something that you should be mindful of when researching any information regarding legislation changes made to the NDIS.
The legitimacy of websites we use to source information online is something that we, Mulgrave Complete Care, question every time news breaks of another change made to the industry. As any registered NDIS provider in Cairns will know, making sure your policies and procedures remain in line with NDIS legislation is of upmost importance. But, how do you know if a source you are using is trustworthy?
Here, we provide some useful tips on how to verify if the information sources you are using online can be trusted.
NDIS changes and online research: how do I know if I can trust the information sources I am using?
When it comes to assessing whether a piece of information you are reading is trustworthy, the CRAAP test is a helpful tool to use. Developed by Sarah Blakeslee at the University of California, this test considers five key elements; currency, relevancy, authority, accuracy, and purpose, that can be used to determine whether a website claiming to boast insight into the latest NDIS changes can be trusted.
CRAAP
C = Currency
The first factor to consider is when was the information written and how recently has it been revised. Generally speaking, web pages will include a mention of when it was last updated or published, so be sure to check this to avoid outdated information being read. Moreover, another way to check if a web page is outdated is to click the links embedded within the article to see if they are functional. If they are not, then consider looking elsewhere.
R = Relevance
This considers if the information provided thoroughly answers the questions you are looking to answer. Does the source provide detailed insight into the most recent NDIS changes? Or is it rather vague and unclear? And secondly, have you looked at other information sources discussing the same topic and tested them against each other?
A= Authority
Another important factor to consider is who has written the source. Is the information written by someone who is qualified to work for the NDIS? And if the content has been written by an organisation, look at who owns or operates this. It is a fair assumption to make that any information provided from the NDIS website directly, or the Australian government can be trusted. As for any other sources, be sure to check their credentials.
A= accuracy
The accuracy factor considers what evidence there is to back up the information relating to current NDIS changes. For this, look to see what references are included on the webpage and if they are from credible sources you can use to verify and cross-reference the claims made. Another important element to the accuracy factor is to assess whether the information includes any subjective language. Facts must always be objective, especially when researching something as important as changes to the NDIS, so look out for webpages that may be subject to personal bias from authors.
P= purpose
Similarly to looking for potential author bias, the purpose factor involves looking at the intent of the information source. Ask yourself, is the purpose of this to inform me of current NDIS changes? Or is it to teach me about a related topic, such as disability support in Cairns? You can’t gain all information from a page header, so be sure to have a thorough read of the source to check its intended purpose is relevant to what you are wanting to find out about the NDIS.
What are some trustworthy information sources I can use to find changes happening to the NDIS?
The CRAAP approach discussed above is a helpful tool you can use for when you are unsure if the facts stated accurately reflect the most recent NDIS changes. But if you are still left questioning your source’s reliability, here are some verified webpages you can trust.
- Official NDIS website
- Australian Government – Department of Health, Disability, and ageing
- Queensland Government – Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
- Etrainu is as a good training platform for both providers and support workers to use
- NDS industry body representing NDIS providers
Ultimately, keeping up with constant NDIS changes and sourcing trustworthy information requires more than simply clicking on the first search result that appears on Google. With legislation, policies and procedures constantly evolving, it is essential for NDIS providers and other industry professionals to know where to look for accurate and honest information. With this said, it is not always easy to determine what is fact, and what just claims to be, so using the CRAAP test that considers its currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose, is a helpful tool to point you in the right direction.
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