NSW - The Physical Disability
Council of NSW calls on the NSW Premier
to show as much commitment to today's needs of
people with spinal cord injury as he does to the
"promise of science" and the contestable "hope
about embryonic stem cell research".
Saturday's announcement of the NSW
Premier's Forum on Spinal Cord Injury &
Conditions has surprised people with
disability. Many wonder how the high-profile
conference in January addresses the current
needs of people with physical disability.
In NSW today:
- More than 300 people with profound
disability and high levels of support needs
are on Government waiting lists for essential
services that would make it possible for them
to live at home with dignity.
- More than 150 people with disability are
on Government waiting lists for support
through the Attendant Care Programme.
- Hospital beds in spinal cord injury units
and acute services are being log-jammed
because people with disability are being
denied services to make community living a
real possibility.
- Most houses in NSW are not accessible to
people with spinal cord injury and other
conditions. The dream of a decent home of
your own is denied to many people with
disability.
- Transport services remain mostly
inaccessible, making the idea of
"re-connecting with education, the workforce
and the community" a pipe-dream.
- 75% of State buses are not wheelchair
accessible;
- 80% of private buses are not wheelchair
accessible;
- 95% of taxis are not wheelchair
accessible.
- 80% of people with disability do not work
and depend on some form of income support to
make ends meet.
Speaking today in Sydney, David Brice,
President of the Physical Disability Council of
NSW, said this:
"We are not
opposed to medical research and we welcome
any overseas visitor with disability to NSW.
But none of us can escape the realities of
how life is today for many people with
disability in the towns and cities of
NSW.
We live in a
sometimes hostile environment. Hundreds of
people wait on Government lists for services
at home top help them in and out of bed,
domestic assistance, intimate personal care.
People seeking equipment such as hoists and
wheelchairs can wait over a year for them to
be provided.
Often they have to
go cap in hand to charities for
assistance.
Transport,
buildings, sports, recreation, leisure and
cultural facilities and services can be like
an assault course for many people with
disability.
For us, it is not
what the Premier said on Saturday that is
important . it is what he didn't say .. about
help at home, inaccessible transport and
services and the rest . that's what's
important to us.
We believe the
Government must show itself wholly committed
to addressing these priorities. The day after
the Premier's forum is over, people with
disability in NSW will face exactly the same
set of problems as they do today unless the
Premier acts now to commit his Government to
systemic change for an inclusive future fall
all."
Further details, background and information
about case stories is available from Dougie Herd
on 02 9552 1606
###
