Ndis

Sam Paior is a parent of two kids with disabilities. She is a staunch advocate for people with a disability and their families, and is a board member of IDASA (Intellectual Disability Association of SA) and founder of Parents Helping Parents.

As one of the two in five Australians who have a disability, care for someone who does, or both, the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been, to date the opposite of a death by a thousand cuts for me.

The Scheme is kinda like a Medicare for services and equipment related to disability. A scheme where people who need a disability related service, equipment or support can get what they need. With Medicare, you might see a doctor (of your choice) and then pick up your antibiotic prescription (at a pharmacy of your choice), and when a blind person needs a white cane, or an intellectually disabled person needs someone to feed them, it should be just as simple, but it’s not.

Medicare is funded with a levy, but the Productivity Commission, who state that such a scheme for the disabled will self fund within five years, say the funds should come from general revenue.

Continue reading "Finally, a victory for disabled families" »

You might have heard all the hoo-haa last week about the NDIS, or national Disability Insurance Scheme.

In simple terms, it’s like a Medicare for disability. Not many of us use an ICU, but we all pay quite happily, through Medicare, and should the need arise, ICU care is just an ambulance ride away. Disability care and support isn’t that “neat”.

Currently, if you have a broken neck, are incontinent, need a wheelchair and an adapted vehicle, live in NSW and you acquired your disability in a car smash, your personal care support needs will be, for the most part, covered. As will your physio, speech and occupational therapy, your continence supplies (and the personal help you need for bowel and bladder care), someone to give you a shower each day, and even your wheelchair will be supplied, generally in a reasonable timeframe.

Continue reading "Disability insurance scheme: I’ll believe it when I see it" »