"My
point of passion and conviction is to commit
myself to...care and assistance for the
disabled…these are matters of simple
decency.
We
have allowed these issues to slip off the broad
political agenda. We need to put them back
there."
Morris Iemma, Premier of NSW - 2 August,
2005 Morris Iemma, Premier of NSW - 2 August,
2005
For people with physical
disabilities in NSW the application of this simple
decency means the creation of a "level playing
field" in which people with physical disabilities
are able to attain equality of opportunity and
equality of citizenship.
The creation of this level
playing field requires, for example, equal access
to education, employment and health and an
accessible built environment. Appropriate support
services must be available. The ability of a person
with a physical disability to participate in all
their chosen activities of life and citizenship is
limited by the availability and sustainability of
the services and the supports they need. The "level
playing field" is therefore limited by the
availability of those services and
supports.
If an individual has the
equipment they need and access to an accessible bus
service but their personal assistance service fails
and they cannot get out of bed, go to the toilet,
eat a meal, the whole system for them has failed
and participation is impossible.
Where is the equality?
Where's the decency?
During 2006, the Physical
Disability Council of NSW will focus on three
support service types - all vital to the attainment
of equality of opportunity and citizenship for
people with physical disabilities in
NSW.
- The NSW Program of Aids
and Appliances for Disabled Persons (PADP);
- Personal Assistance
services, The Attendant Care Program and the
Home Care Service of NSW (especially the High
Need Pool);
- Public Transport.
The Physical Disability
Council of NSW asks the NSW Government to act upon
its promise of simple decency by:
- Increasing the NSW PADP
budget to $37.5m recurrent - an increase of
$15.5m;
- Increasing the number of
places within the Attendant Care Program to 700
(from 314);
- Increasing its
contribution to the Home Care Service of NSW
enabling 350 new places within the High Need
Pool;
- Increasing its commitment
to provide an accessible public transport
system;
- Adopting a universally
accessible taxi fleet for all members of the
community.
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