...So, what is all this NDIS anyway? 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s national program that provides funding and support to people living with a permanent and significant disability. It’s designed to help participants achieve greater independence, access education and employment, and improve their overall quality of life.  

Through the NDIS, eligible individuals can access a wide range of supports… including assistive technology like a reading pen. 

A reading pen is a small, handheld device that scans printed text and reads it aloud. It’s a game-changer for people who struggle with reading due to learning differences, vision impairment, or cognitive challenges. You’ll be able to find out more about them in the blog below. 

For many NDIS participants, a reading pen can be the key to unlocking independence and confidence, as well as better access to the world of words and work.  

A quick rewind: where did the NDIS come from? 

The NDIS was legislated in 2013 and began rolling out nationally in 2016. It was born from a grassroots campaign led by disability advocates, families, and community organisations who recognised the need for a more equitable and sustainable support system. By 2020, the scheme had reached full national coverage, supporting over half a million Australians. 

The NDIS marked a shift from block funding to individualised support, giving participants more control over the services and tools they need. That includes access to assistive technology like the reading pen, which has become an essential tool for many Australians with disability. 

Plan management strategies  

Once you’re approved for the NDIS, you’ll work with a planner or Local Area Coordinator to create a personalised plan. That plan includes funding for supports and services – and how you manage that funding is up to you. 

There are three main ways to manage your NDIS plan: 

✓ Self-managed – You control the budget, pay providers directly, and claim reimbursements through the NDIS portal. This option offers the most flexibility, including a reading pen from any supplier. 

✓ Plan-managed – A registered plan manager handles payments and budgeting on your behalf. You still choose your providers, and you can purchase a reading pen from any supplier. 

✓ NDIA-managed (or agency-managed) – The NDIA pays providers directly, but you can only use NDIS-registered providers. If you wish to purchase a reading pen under this model, ensure the supplier is registered (like Scanning Pens Australia).  

In some cases, you may also be eligible to mix and match – so some parts of your plan can be self-managed, while others are plan- or NDIA-managed. The key is choosing what works best for your needs. 

Getting a reading pen using NDIS funding: the facts 

You can use NDIS funding to purchase a reading pen if that particular reading pen meets the NDIS funding criteria, such as the ones made by C-Pen do.  

A reading pen is considered assistive technology and may be funded under either the Core Supports (Consumables) budget or the Capacity Building (Support Delivery) budget, depending on your goals and needs. 

To be funded, the reading pen must: 

✓ Relate directly to your disability 

✓ Help you pursue goals in your NDIS plan (e.g. literacy, independence, education) 

✓ Represent value for money 

✓ Not be funded by another service (e.g. school or workplace) 

Feeling a little confused? Not to worry: Scanning Pens Australia is experienced in supporting NDIS participants and can help you determine if a reading pen is suitable for your plan. Check the bottom of this blog for our contact details.  

Who qualifies for an NDIS-funded reading pen? 

Eligibility to receive NDIS funding for a reading pen depends on your individual circumstances, the disabilities you have, and the long-term impact they have on your life, wellbeing, and ability to access the world around you.  

You must: 

✓ Be an approved NDIS participant 

✓ Have a disability that affects your ability to read, comprehend, or otherwise access written information 

✓ Have goals in your NDIS plan that align with literacy, communication, education, or independence 

✓ Have support from an allied health professional (e.g. occupational therapist or speech pathologist) recommending the reading pen as a suitable assistive technology 

Common conditions that may benefit from a reading pen include dyslexia and other cognitive or learning differences, as well as visual impairments or vision challenges. 

So here’s how to use your NDIS funding to access a reading pen 

If you’ve ticked off all the eligibility criteria above, here’s how to use your NDIS funding to purchase a reading pen from us here at Scanning Pens Australia: 

✓ Check your plan – Confirm that your NDIS plan includes funding for assistive technology under Core or Capacity Building supports. 

✓ Get professional advice – Ask your allied health professional to provide a written recommendation for a reading pen, outlining how it supports your goals. 

✓ Choose your management type: whether you're self-managed, agency-managed or plan-managed, it all starts the same way on the NDIS hub at Scanning Pens. Make sure you fill in the right form for you, and then our team can get the ball rolling!

✓ Receive your reading pen – Once payment is processed, your reading pen will be shipped directly to you. Open the box and grab the nearest source of written text to experience reading your way, from books and magazines to forms, letters, and the occasional takeaway menu.  

How reading pens support NDIS participants 

Getting started with a reading pen is a game-changer for so many NDIS participants because they create a world where reading can happen wherever, whenever, and accessibly. There’s no more waiting for help: every piece of standard printed text is now available for reading, which means learning, job applications, and reading for pleasure and connection? All back on the table and as simple as scan, listen, understand.  

If you’ve not come across a reading pen before (if you haven't, congratulations on finding this blog, by the way – we’re about to blow your mind), the way these devices work is simple. They scan printed text and read it aloud or through discreet headphones, helping users with reading difficulties to access information independently and build their literacy confidence. When the understanding barrier is gone, comprehension can flourish, meaning that you can understand everything you’re being asked to do – and handy built-in dictionaries make it even easier to get to grips with whatever reading you find yourself tasked with. There are multiple types too, ranging from models designed for exam conditions and secure workplaces to sleek touchscreen models for business and education. 

But that’s not all – here’s how a reading pen can support your broader goals: 

✓ Improved literacy: a reading pen reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary development. 

✓ Greater independence: and they also reduce reliance on carers or support workers for reading tasks. 

✓ Educational access: students can participate in classroom activities and exams, as well as homework, home learning, or even facilitate a return to education. 

✓ Workplace inclusion: whether your job requires a little administrative reading or a lot of in-depth research, a reading pen can help you work with words faster, more efficiently, and in far greater comfort than going it alone. 

✓ A real-world confidence boost: but the real magic is how they support users to engage with written content without anxiety, and empower reading confidence. For some folks, it may have been years since reading felt like something that was possible – if it ever did. But with a reading pen, the door to fluency is unlocked, and skills build as users move through the world in a new, more word-confident way. 

And they’re simple, too: easier to use than a smartphone and with no need for Wi-Fi to scan and listen, it couldn’t be easier to get back to books. Or reports. Or magazines. Or business proposals. Or stock sheets. Or – you get the picture.  

Ready get reading? Head to the NDIS page at Scanning Pens Australia 

We know that doing all the reading necessary for accessing NDIS funding can be stressful sometimes. And we know that making decisions on reading support and assistive tech solutions can require a lot of legwork. That’s why we’re always, always here to help.  

You can head to the Scanning Pens Australia NDIS page to find our registered provider number and to kickstart the process if you’re ready to purchase a reading pen from us today. But if you need a little extra support or you’d rather chat things through with one of our team first, we’d love to hear from you! 

📧 Reach out anytime via info@scanningpens.com.au to get personalised advice on choosing the perfect reading pen for your needs, navigating the NDIS process, and finding out which type of reading pen is best for you. 

☎️Or if you prefer to talk, our friendly accessibility squad are ready to take your call every weekday on (02) 8855 7100.