Tasmanians Living With Disabilities Deserve Better

http://www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today acknowledged International Day of People With Disability, and gave in-principle support to the call from the Our Island Our Voices campaign for an overhaul and better resourcing of the Community Equipment Scheme which provides a variety of equipment, aids and appliances to support Tasmanians with disabilities to live in the community.

Greens Health and Human Services spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said the Labor Government’s neglect of the Scheme has left it virtually dysfunctional, which is impacting on the ability of thousands of Tasmanians to enjoy a reasonable quality of life while living in the community.

“The Community Equipment Scheme is intended to enhance the functional wellbeing of Tasmanians with a disability and to enable them to enjoy active lives in the community, but the Labor Government’s gross neglect of the Scheme means that thousands of Tasmanians with disabilities, and those family members and carers who form their support base, are missing out,” said Ms O’Connor.

“Labor has dragged its heels on this issue to the point where the Community Equipment Scheme is effectively dysfunctional. Tasmanians living with disabilities are now suffering because Labor has prioritised political wants such as the pulp mill, racetrack renovations, and the employment of an army of spin doctors, over and above the needs of the those relying on the Scheme.”

“Remedying this injustice for Tasmanians living with disabilities is core to any genuine social inclusion agenda for Tasmania.”

Ms O’Connor also said that as a member of the Community Development Committee she has absorbed the most painful human stories of the profoundly negative impact that the Scheme’s failings are having on the lives of Tasmanians living with disabilities and their families, and carers, and that the problems are even worse for those living in rural and regional areas of Tasmania.

“On International Day of People With a Disability, the Greens are calling on the Bartlett Government and the Liberal Opposition to heed the call from National Disability Services (TAS), TasCOSS and other key stakeholder organisations to commit to better resourcing and strengthening the Community Equipment Scheme as a matter of urgency,” said Ms O’Connor.