Ballarat Hackerspace

Hackerspace NDIS Policy

Overview

Ballarat Hackerspace is a technical workshop with access to specialised tools, machinery, electronics, and other equipment that can present real safety risks if used incorrectly. We are committed to being inclusive and welcoming to people with disability, including participants who may receive NDIS-funded supports. At the same time, we must operate within the limits of what a community-run hackerspace can safely provide.

Ballarat Hackerspace is a peer-to-peer learning environment. It is not a clinical setting, a supervised day program, or a disability support service. Our volunteers provide technical guidance about projects, tools, and workshop processes. They do not provide personal care, behavioural support, transport, 1:1 supervision, or risk management on behalf of a participant.

Policy Details

1. General suitability

To participate safely in the space, a member must be able to:

  • follow instructions and safety procedures;
  • communicate clearly enough for safe participation;
  • move through the space safely, with or without their own support worker;
  • regulate their behaviour to a level that does not create risk for themselves, other members, volunteers, or equipment; and
  • use tools and equipment only within their demonstrated competency and any required induction level.

If a participant cannot meet these requirements independently, they must attend with their own appropriately qualified and funded Support Worker.

2. Role of Support Workers

Where a participant requires support, their Support Worker is responsible for providing that support at all times. This includes:

  • personal care;
  • communication support;
  • behavioural support;
  • de-escalation;
  • direct supervision;
  • transport to and from the space; and
  • any other support identified in the participant’s needs or plan.

Support Workers must remain with the participant whenever that support is required. Ballarat Hackerspace volunteers cannot take over that role, even briefly.

3. Role of Hackerspace volunteers

Hackerspace volunteers may:

  • explain how the space operates;
  • provide project-related advice;
  • deliver normal tool and equipment inductions; and
  • apply standard workshop safety rules consistently to all members.

Hackerspace volunteers do not:

  • provide 1:1 care or supervision;
  • administer medication;
  • deliver behavioural interventions;
  • provide manual handling or personal care; or
  • accept responsibility for a participant’s support plan.

4. Technical assessment before membership

Any prospective member seeking participation connected to NDIS supports must complete an initial technical assessment before membership or regular access is approved.

This assessment is used to determine:

  • whether the hackerspace is a safe and appropriate environment for the person;
  • what tools, activities, or areas may be suitable;
  • whether a Support Worker must attend;
  • whether additional boundaries or conditions are needed; and
  • whether Ballarat Hackerspace can realistically meet the person’s needs within a community workshop model.

Completion of an assessment does not guarantee membership. If the space is not a safe fit, Ballarat Hackerspace may decline or limit participation.

5. Safety and access conditions

Ballarat Hackerspace may impose reasonable conditions on attendance, including:

  • requiring a Support Worker to be present;
  • restricting access to higher-risk tools or equipment;
  • limiting attendance to inducted sessions or lower-risk activities; and
  • pausing or ending participation if safety expectations are not met.

These decisions are made to protect the participant, other members, volunteers, and the space itself.

6. Right to refuse or cease participation

Ballarat Hackerspace reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or end membership or attendance where:

  • the environment is not a safe fit for the participant;
  • the required level of support is beyond what the space can provide;
  • a participant or Support Worker does not follow safety directions; or
  • ongoing participation creates an unacceptable risk to people, equipment, or operations.

7. Summary

Ballarat Hackerspace welcomes participants with disability, including those using NDIS supports, where attendance can occur safely within a peer-led technical workshop. Participants must either be able to engage safely and autonomously, or attend with their own Support Worker who remains responsible for all non-technical support needs.