Struggling Simone let down by NDIS
SIMONE Stevens was one of the key figures in the Every Australian Counts campaign for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Fast forward five years and the NDIS is here but Ms Stevens says the equipment provided to her is less than adequate.
The Geelong West resident is presently using a temporary wheelchair due to faults with her permanent transport. She had requested a number of necessary additions to her preexisting wheelchair including lights and a mobile phone holder but claimed to be rebuffed by the NDIS.
“It’s really disappointing the way the NDIS has been applied in my case — it was supposed to make life easier,” Ms Stevens said.
“I’ve applied for a lighting kit for my wheelchair because there’s a lack of street lighting where I live and I need to see and be seen by others. That was knocked back.
“I applied for a mobile phone kit, which would allow me to use my phone comfortably, but that was knocked back.
“I also applied for a fixture that allows me to be lifted in my chair so I can access things around the house that may otherwise be out of reach. The NDIS rejected that as well.”
Ms Stevens was diagnosed with cerebral palsy from blood poisoning shortly after birth, limiting her mobility.
She became active in disability advocacy after attending the Have A Say conference in Geelong more than a decade ago, later joining the NDIS campaign.
Through her work with Every Australian Counts, Ms Stevens met with then prime minister Julia Gillard and her successor Tony Abbott as well as then premier Ted Baillieu to press her case.
“It’s very frustrating that me and others like me have to keep asking for services that were supposed to be part of the NDIS in the first place,” Ms Stevens said.
“I have a temporary wheelchair at the moment but I don’t know what will happen when I have to hand it back. I don’t know if I’ll have to use a wheelchair that won’t allow me to live an independent life like everyone else.”
An NDIA spokeswoman said applications could be made to the organisation for internal review if people had concerns.
“Decisions about the type of supports included in a participant’s plan are made based on what is deemed reasonable and necessary for them,” the spokeswoman said.
“If a participant thinks a decision made by the NDIA about them is wrong, they can submit an application for an internal review.”