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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-10-17 Daily Xml
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Grievance Debate

Taylor Electorate

Mr GEE (Taylor) (15:05): I rise today to speak about members of our community who are often forgotten by many people. I am talking about people with disabilities and their carers. Currently, in my community many residents are experiencing issues through the NDIS delays and lack of accessible services, facilities and general isolation. The NDIS was initiated by two strong Labor women, Julia Gillard and Jenny Macklin, and thankfully it has been supported by subsequent state and federal governments; unfortunately, it is not without its problems.

I hear regularly from constituents who face numerous issues with the agency, service providers and the process in general. I have reports from clients who are forced to wait an excessive amount of time for new wheelchairs and a range of other equipment for growing children, such as noise-cancelling headphones to assist autistic children, and from people with plans that do not fit their needs. These cases are not unusual, and it is not acceptable when this scheme promised so much for our people in Australia.

The state and federal ministers for social services need to sort out the problems with the NDIS to make it as good as it should be. I have been advised that it is not a funding shortfall causing all the problems, but system and process issues that need to be resolved. More action needs to be taken to deliver infrastructure and facilities that are friendly and safe for people of all abilities in Playford, Salisbury and the Adelaide Plains council areas.

There are up to 40 bus shelters in the City of Playford alone that are not disability friendly. It is not that difficult to design a bus shelter that gives a person in a wheelchair the opportunity to be sheltered. We need more bus stops with bus shelters and access pads. Having a concrete pad from which to enter a bus may not be a big deal to most people, but it is for people with a disability, especially during winter or when we have wet weather like we have experienced this week.

Footpaths can also be a major issue for people of all abilities. Cracked and undulating footpaths on council and private land across my electorate are one of the most complained about issues from the community. Residents want more disability-friendly facilities, including accessible play equipment and fenced play spaces for children with autism, in local parks and reserves, including Fremont and Stebonheath parks.

Local parents want to see the installation of a Changing Places disability toilet, including a hoist and change table at Fremont Park. I recently toured the new facilities for people with a disability, parents and the public at the Elizabeth shopping centre, and I really want to acknowledge the design work used to make these facilities accessible to all.

I am a strong believer that people with disabilities, whether physical, mental or psychological in nature, have a right to live as full and as happy a life as possible. It is important that we include people with disabilities whenever possible. I have been informed many times that people with special needs feel isolated, alone and excluded and that we need to provide support to people who have accessibility issues by ensuring that the latest infrastructure design methods are used to make sure people with disabilities are not left out.

I have come to know a local disability advocate whose name is Cathy. She is constantly working to improve the lives of people with a disability. Cathy has a lovely six-year-old daughter, Meisha, who is in a wheelchair, so Cathy has firsthand experience when it comes to the challenges that people with disabilities and their carers face every day. It is important to remember that not everyone with a disability has an aid or looks disabled.

I am concerned that the federal government has cut funding in South Australia to the Royal Society for the Blind's braille services and is redirecting that money interstate. I was also disappointed to see the Disability Justice specialist training grant discontinued in the recent state budget. We are hoping that we are not going to see this government make further cuts to programs assisting people with a disability.

I was pleased to see the Prime Minister announce additional resources for Headspace on the weekend to assist young people under 25 with mental health issues. I want to acknowledge the work of carers during this Carers Week, and thank them for their hard work in caring for loved ones and special people across our community. I congratulate Maria and her team at Northern Carers Network on their 40th anniversary this year.

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