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Disabled Aussies need you

Few politicians, if any, have been able to champion the cause on behalf of Australians with disabilities as fervently as Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John.

At just 24 years old, the highly eloquent senator with mild cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair has recently launched the Facebook group, Accessible Australia.

Among the group’s principles is the commitment to the human rights of disabled people and to promoting the social model of disability.

Given that close to half of all people with a disability are aged 65 and over, having an advocate such as Senator Steele-John is invaluable for our ageing demographic.

I have listened to Senator Steele-John’s parliamentary speeches and met him in person. This young man could be the best thing that has happened to the cause for championing disability rights. But he will not be able to succeed alone.

Today is International Day of People with Disability and if you would like to celebrate by joining the senator and others in creating greater awareness of the issues disabled Australians face, go to the Australian Network on Disability site.

Here are some of the factors that define this cohort of Australians:

 

As you can see, disability is a significant issue for a large number of Australians. It cannot be ignored or left unaddressed just because we do not come into contact with disabled people on a daily basis. They are out there.

Yes, we have a reasonably generous National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in place now, but the lengthy delays to access it and the knockbacks received by clearly disabled people is worrisome. And with the recent pilfering of NDIS funds to help with drought relief, the reality is that Aussies are not doing enough to help those with a disability.

Further, if you are over 65 years of age, you are not eligible for NDIS support. Anyone 65 and over is eligible to access Commonwealth Aged Care packages, but even they are being handed out sparsely, forcing many elderly Australians to struggle with daily routines.

Do you have a disability and do you struggle to get sufficient support? If you have had an experience with the NDIS, how did it play out?

Related articles:
Missed chance to fund NDIS
The ‘age in place’ conundrum
Guide to Aged Care

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