SCI Australia’s Policy and Advocacy team work actively to address many of the issues that affect people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and similar conditions.
Our service works with both the individual in developing the advocate within and systemically to mount formal issue based campaigns (Individual advocacy/Systemic advocacy).
Many of the issues that are raised by our membership and by the wider community are:
- Transport (accessibility and scheduling issues)
- Equipment (The Program of Appliances for Disabled People and motor vehicle modification)
- Housing and home modifications (public housing access and correct timely modifications to existing properties)
- Employment opportunities (accessing the workplace and issues that hold a person back from participating).
- Personal Care (attendant care access and development as well as waiting lists)
- Access to the environment (inaccessible buildings and domiciles).
- Pensions (proper payments that ensure a dignified life for a person with a disability).
SCI Policy has represented our members, and will continue to, on all of the above topics. Notable representations are:
- Ongoing successes whilst campaigning for a better Program of Appliances for Disabled People ($15.5 million further funding applied to date).
- Being active campaigners of the nationwide push for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (Grassroots campaigners).
- Representation and being quoted in the federal review of the access to premises standard (Disability)
- Strong participation and comment in the draft disability standards for accessible public transport.
- Working with our regional team holding a rally at Bulli station to protest against rail station staff cut backs that would directly impact on station accessibility.
- Providing strong input into ongoing issues about wheelchair accessible taxi wheelchair footprints.
Please feel free to contact the Policy team of Sean Lomas and Greg Killeen. We are always happy to talk policy and advocacy; offering individual and systemic support when needed.
We can be reached together by email policyteam@scia.org.au
or individually:
Sean Lomas 02 96618855; slomas@scia.org.au
Greg Killeen 02 9661 8855; gkilleen@scia.org.au
Submissions have been made to the following:
Upper House PADP inquiry
The inquiry was called for by SCI Australia in an attempt to address the gross underfunding that leads to burgeoning waiting lists for essential equipment in NSW. We made a written submission to inquiry and appeared as witnesses in Parliament.
CLICK HERE to view the submission.
Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) review
The five year review in 2007 gave the opportunity for SCIA to identify many of the issues that impact on the ability of people with a disability to use public transport. Among these are the allocated space, response times of accessible taxis and responsibilities of transport operators and providers.
CLICK HERE to view the submission
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
SCI Australia's position calls for an increase to the subsidy percentage from 50% to 75% and an increase to the upper limit of the subsidised taxi fare from $60 to $100.
CLICK HERE to view the position statement.
Ministry of Transport action plan
The NSW ministry of transport as part of its commitment to access has to have an accessible action plan in place. Here are our suggestions to what are priorities for access in NSW.
Doc - Submission to the NSW Transports accessible action Plan.
CLICK HERE to view the submission.
IPART Cityrail review
The IPART review of CityRail revenue was a chance to document our stance that rail station staffing is critical to the present and ongoing success of the Easy Access upgrade program. Often the individual needs of passengers with a disability are overlooked. It is important to ensure that that representation occurs.
CLICK HERE to view the submission.
Inquiry into the Disability Discrimination (DDA) and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008
This was a opportunity for us to be a part of the first proposed DDA amendments after the ratification of the UN convention on the rights of persons with a disability. SCI Australia congratulated the government for ratifying convention and offered some points for consideration.
CLICK HERE to view the submission.
Medical Cooling Rebate
The MS Society proposed that the costs to people with multiple sclerosis of maintaining body temperature in summer (ie air conditioning) be allowed as a rebate on their electricity bills. MS reduces the body's ability to stay cool. In meetings the the MS Society SCI Policy supported the proposal with the addition of the costs of winter heating for people with spinal cord injury. In the same way that a person with MS can become overheated, spinal cord injury reduces the body's ability to regulate body temperature. The extra cost is an unfair financial burden.
CLICK HERE to view the submission.
National accessible parking scheme
The Federal government is showing leadership in unifying a program that works for people with a disability throughout Australia. SCI Australia’s submission covered a number of topics but largely voiced concern over the misallocation of permits and the issues that arise from too many ineligible people using allocated accessible parking spaces.
CLICK HERE to view the submission.
Ministry of Transport access consultative group
SCI Australia is one of the many organisations that work within the Ministry of Transports accessible consultative group. We gave feedback about disability awareness training for all modes of transport.
CLICK HERE to download SCI Australia's contribution.
