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People with
disabilities face many challenges and obstacles
in life to maintain an adequate standard of
living. In many instances, equipment is
available to people with physical disability -
equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters,
callipers, walking frames, hoists - vital aids
that can reduce the impact of physical
disability.
These are not luxury
items. They are NECESSITIES that allow
you to get out of bed, go to school or
university, go to work, see a movie, visit a
friend or even just buy a newspaper from the
corner shop.
The State Government
allocates funds to the Program of Appliances for
Disabled People (PADP) for the provision of aids
and equipment to people with disabilities. The
NSW Health Department has full responsibility
for PADP to ensure that people with disabilities
achieve a quality standard of living that
facilitates a maximum participation within the
community.
And yet
- People have been told
they must wait up to 4 years for
equipment.
- Families are paying for
children’s equipment out of their own
pockets (while a $12,000 electric wheelchair is
obviously an impossible financial burden for
families, many less expensive pieces of
equipment such as walking frames are also beyond
people already struggling
financially).
- Desperate people and
service providers are being forced to beg for
equipment from local charities.
- Legitimate concerns about
faults in the system from disability groups,
organisations and individuals have been ignored
for the last 12 years.
Why?
- Funding has never been
adequate and has not kept pace with the
increasing number of people requiring essential
equipment.
- Lack of co-ordination and
accountability has resulted in an inaccessible
and dysfunctional program.
What can be
done?
1. To be realistic
the PADP budget needs to be doubled to $26
million with further increases in each of the
next three years.
2. In consultation with
the disability sector the program needs to be
restructured with clear eligibility, management,
prioritisation, complaints and accountability
processes.
A PADP PROTEST RALLY will
be held on Wednesday 20 January at 11.00am
outside Premier Carr’s Office (Governor
Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place
Sydney).
For further information
please contact Lou-Anne Lind on (02) 9299
2822.
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The
Physical Disability Council of NSW Inc (PDCN) is
the peak body representing people with physical
disabilities across New South Wales.
PDCN is involved in information, education and
systemic advocacy for, and on behalf of, people
with a physical disability.
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