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The Problems
There is not enough money
allocated to the program. This has led to highly
restrictive means testing.
PADP funding has been
seriously eroded because:
- medical items such as
oxygen and CPAP machines (for sleep apnoea) have
been introduced into the program and now take up
more than 30% of the PADP budget;
- the pressure on hospital
beds and lack of hospital funding has meant that
more people are being discharged with supportive
equipment taken from PADP funding;
- the incidence of
disability has increased due to a lower
mortality rate;
- developments in
technology and design have resulted in more
sophisticated equipment, providing more
opportunities and a greater demand;
- funding for the program
has never been based on need but simply an
arbitrary allocation which has never been
enough.
In some cases people are told
the waiting list can be as long as 4
years.
There is confusion
over:
- eligibility criteria for
assistance;
- probability of assistance
(and time frame);
- ownership of
equipment;
- why legitimate concerns
have been constantly ignored over the last 12
years.
Lack of funding, fragmented
management and unclear guidelines have particularly
disadvantaged:
- people requiring complex
mobility aids and higher priced items such as
wheelchairs;
- children who are growing
and in need of continuing modifications;
and
- people in high population
growth areas.
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Families already struggling
financially cannot cope with additional expenses
for necessary equipment and are forced to beg from
charities, service clubs and their local
community.
Families’ resources are
depleted by the costs associated with a disability,
and many families are forced into poverty because
of these costs.
The
(Mis)management
In addition to inadequate
funding, the program is restricted by:
- lack of a centralised
policy which results in crisis allocation and no
clear rational rationing and assessment
procedures. High need areas do not have the
budgets to support their demand;
- fragmented management and
discrepancy of the Program’s management
between different regions;
- outdated and
inappropriate guidelines e.g. where a family has
one working adult they are ineligible for PADP
irrespective of other disability-related
expenses or the number of children in the family
– this is inequitable;
- lack of accountability
– for money, equipment or returned
equipment (which is often left in
storage);
- areas with small budgets
are reluctant to spend on expensive items i.e.
wheelchairs;
- no consumer involvement
in policy development;
- difficulties in accessing
the program for disadvantaged persons e.g. poor
literacy skills, people from NESB;
- inadequate information
for people with a newly acquired disability, and
parents of children with a
disability;
- no independent complaints
mechanism available.
from PADP
- The Issues, 1998
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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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