Anyone care to have a go at reading between the lines with this one?
Given Shorten’s form on lack of interest in people with invisible disabilities who aren’t fully dependent on a carer, I’m not as hopeful as I’d like to be.
Call to lift disabled out of ‘exile’
A national insurance scheme that would cover the costs of those with disabilities should be investigated, says the parliamentary secretary for disabilities and children’s services, Bill Shorten.
The scheme would provide someone born with a disability or who incurred one through accident or illness with consistent funds throughout their life. ‘‘Many Australians with disabilities remain in internal exile,’’ he said.
Mr Shorten will today make public a discussion paper calling for a national plan for those with disabilities. It argues that the existing system of providing services to those with disabilities is too flawed to be fixed and needs to be replaced.
Instead of a ‘‘welfare model’’ the paper calls for more individually tailored programs to help people participate fully in the community.
As well as improving care and support services, Mr Shorten wants a national system to focus on people being given enough help to to find and maintain work.
Better access to public buildings and transport was also essential, he said. ‘‘You go to some suburbs and the shops are inaccessible, not just to people with disabilities but young mums and older people. I don’t know how some buildings get approved.’’
Better accessibility would be great. He hasn’t bothered to address the abysmal lack of accessible parking spaces yet, choosing instead to address the discrepancy between need and supply by saying “piss off, no permit” to a bunch of people to need the spaces. So I’ve no idea what he means by accessibility. I’m guessing ramps, and not much else. It’s a start, but it isn’t everything, not by a long shot.
My first guess on employment is that he’ll take the approach he’s taking with parking permits: he’ll address the issue of non-employment by saying to a bunch of people on disability pensions, “piss off and get back to work” – continuing Howard’s legacy. This paragraph sets off all my “coded messages” alarms:
Instead of a ‘‘welfare model’’ the paper calls for more individually tailored programs to help people participate fully in the community.
Prove me wrong, Shorten.
Your guesses?
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