Poor left behind for NDIS programs

ADVOCATES fear the National Disability Insurance Scheme risks entrenching disadvantage, with rich people able to access better levels of care.

A parliamentary inquiry has heard bureaucratic language, long waiting times and a general lack of knowledge of disabilities by government staff were creating problems.

Kirsten Deane, from Every Australian Counts, came close to tears when she gave evidence in Brisbane yesterday.

Ms Deane is furious about a $4.6 billion Government underspend on the NDIS.

“We don’t find anything to celebrate in the underspend at all, that is money that is desperately needed,” she told committee members.

The Government blames the funding disparity on a slower than expected uptake.

But Ms Deane puts it down to approval delays, long waits for services and inappropriate plans, meaning people are not spending the money allocated.

She said there was an increasing worry the system was becoming “dual track”, with people from indigenous, ethnic or lower-socio economic backgrounds unable to navigate the system.

“If we don’t do something . . . we’re going to end up entrenching disadvantage,” she said.

Deaf Services told the committee hearing-impaired people were being told to watch YouTube videos to learn sign language.

Michelle Crozier said her clients were being told by insurance planners they had never met a deaf person, reducing confidence they would get an appropriate plan.

Representatives from the AEIOU Foundation, an early intervention group for children with autism, said staff helping dole out NDIS plans needed to be better listeners and more empathetic.

Assistive technology supplier Tiffany Heddes said NDIS planners simply did not understand the equipment.