Policy and advocacy

Policy and advocacy are involvement in the many issues that affect people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). These include transport, accommodation, personal care and equipment.

SCI Australia undertakes advocacy in two forms:
  • systemic—addressing key issues that affect people with SCIs; and
  • individual—representing issues that affect a single person.
With individual advocacy we keep in mind that although it is assistance for a single person it also impacts on many others such as family members and partners, carers and service providers.

With Australia aiming to become more inclusive, the role of systemic advocacy is to ensure that where money is spent, it is spent effectively. It is also to lobby for new programs and services to address unmet need where a requirement has been overlooked.

The categories of issues affecting people with SCIs are straightforward although not distinct:
  • transport;
  • equipment;
  • housing and modifications;
  • employment opportunities and pensions;
  • personal care; and
  • access.
The solution for most issues experienced by people with disabilities requires action in a number of areas. For example, a person wishing to enter into employment may be affected by transport (getting to and from work), personal care (assistance in the workplace) and equipment (adaptive technology to assist in doing the job).

Groups where SCI Australia represents people with disabilities are:
  • Young People In Residential Aged Care (housing, inclusion);
  • Program Of Aids For Disabled People Advisory Committee (equipment);
  • Physical Disability Expert Advisory Group (personal care);
  • NSW Minsitry Of Transport Accessible Consultative Group (transport);
  • various National Disability Services groups including social particpation and Aboriginal resources and Pathways  (employment opportunities, care, inclusion);
  • Advocacy And Information Forum (inclusion and advocacy); and
  • Supported Living Forum (accommodation, home modification and personal care).

Consumer complaints policy and procedure

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) respects the rights of consumers and individuals involved with SCIA to resolve problems between themselves or to have a recognised procedure by which they may otherwise be resolved. Any indiviual may pursue a complaint in confidence without fear of reprisal.

A complaint may also be put to an external agency. A list of them is included in the procedure below.

Anyone who makes a complaint about SCIA is assured that:

- The procedures will respect their privacy and dignity.
- All records will be kept confidential.
- They will suffer no retribution from the service concerned or from any other SCIA service for having made a complaint.