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Transport
CEO Message - December 2006
Appears in Horizon #85 December 2006
The outcome of the State Election
held Saturday
25 November,
is singularly the
most important
consideration for
Scope in recent times.
Regular readers of
Horizon will know
that a significant shortfall in government
funding was the subject of an
unprecedented sector campaign that
included intense lobbying by the
collaborative Coalition for Disability Rights,
of which Scope was a member. The group
was formed to actively reach political
candidates and the general public regarding
our concerns that funding was insufficient
to meet the basic needs of Victorians
with disability.
The price indexation for 2006-09 has now
been agreed between the department of
human Services (dhS) and the peak disability
organisations. The agreement includes:
- A minimum rate of indexation of 2.9%
guaranteed for three years from
2006/07, with an additional 0.2%
towards infrastructure costs
- Provision of a capacity-building fund of
$6 million to be utilised over three
years (this will mean an average prorata
rate of 0.2% on the indexed
funding for the sector)
- Most importantly, a commitment to a
review of the dhS unit prices for
services (to be agreed in consultation
with the sector’s peak organisations)
It is widely believed the pre-election
campaign has further raised the profile of
disability issues. It is important that the
sector maintains the momentum gained
with politicians and the general public, for it
is often through public opinion that positive
change can be achieved.
Following the State Government’s reelection,
Scope will be closely monitoring
progress on the delivery of a number of key
election promises. The introduction of any
of the following would make a positive and
immediate difference to people with
disabilities and their carers:
- $2.4 to introduce a carers’ reward
card, recognising the contributions of
carers – this alone would immediately
benefit many carers buckling under the
emotional, physical and financial strain
of full-time caring at home
- Carers’ charter to acknowledge
the role of carers in the community;
enabling carers to have an avenue
through which any concerns could
be addressed
- $4m to carers Victoria for training and
intervention programs for carers
- $1m to expand online advice services
to include a centralised respite
accommodation service
- $13.1m for flexible respite services
- More independence for the aged and
disability that includes:
– $90m for aids and equipment
funding
– $3m for IT/communication support
for the blind and vision impaired
– $12.3m for long-term
specialised services
– $15m for shared supported
accommodation for people
with disabilities
– $2m to support people with
disabilities and their carers
seeking jobs
The latter half of 2006 has also been a
significant period for many other reasons.
Industry organisations CIDA, VICRAID and
ACROD all voted in favour of one peak
body; National Disability Services. This
means that the disability sector will be able
to speak with a united voice about strategic
issues facing the industry.
The results of a research paper entitled
Too Little, Too Late was released, outlining
funding gaps and waiting times for aids and
equipment needs (see page 20 in this issue
of Horizon). A collective project between
Scope, Melbourne City Mission, Disability
Justice Advocacy and the Association for
Children with a Disability, the findings were
a sobering indictment of appalling delays
and financial hardships experienced by
people with disability and service providers.
This type of research further demonstrates
the urgent need for State Government to
seriously consider the current and expected
future demands for disability services.
The need is not going to go away. It is going
to increase – and exponentially, with an aging
population – a reality the Government seems
unwilling or unable to recognise.
The issue is to provide services that will
continue to meet the needs of our
community and ensure that the
fundamental rights of Victorians of all
abilities are being met by their government.
As data from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics shows that one-in-four Australian
households has someone with a disability;
there is significant demand and an
increasingly necessary one.
On a more positive note, Sunday
3 december was the 25th anniversary
of International Day of People with a
DisAbility. Scope recognised the day
through a successful media campaign that
included another first for Radio Australia in
a segment by Shane Kelly broadcast on the
Bush Telegraph program. Radio National ran
a studio interview on Life Matters with
young lawyer Andrew Higgins, who has
cerebral palsy and is currently on
scholarship at Oxford, England doing his
Masters Degree. The ABC also ran an
interview on Pacific Beat with Elena Jenkin,
a former Scope employee now working in
Samoa and the driving force behind a
recent Scope-assisted collection of used aids
and equipment from Australia (see page 16).
Suburban and regional papers and radio
have also been supportive of the awareness
day, running Scope stories across the State.
The importance of an international
awareness day cannot be overstated.
The original concept of the awareness day
was to improve conditions for people with
disabilities in every part of the world.
While it can be said that life in general has
improved for Australians with disability,
more progress is needed. For example;
improved accessibility to public transport,
buildings and employment are still new
frontiers if our aim is to achieve complete
access and equity for all.
Finally, I take the opportunity to wish all
Scope clients and their families, staff,
corporate and community partners,
members and stakeholders a safe and
successful 2007.
Diana Heggie
Chief Executive Officer
