The peak body representing non-governmental disability support providers says more needs to be done to ensure the sector survives the COVID-19 pandemic, or risk a flood of people with disabilities into an already crowded health sector.
The federal government has announced an additional $154 million to support Australians with a disability who are vulnerable to coronavirus, but disability service providers say the response hasn’t gone far enough to ensure the survival of the sector during the pandemic.
“The Government is absolutely committed to working with individuals, service providers, peak bodies and other stakeholders as we respond to the evolving challenges presented by coronavirus,” Senator Rushton said.Calls for Australia's disability carers to get the same coronavirus protections as aged care workers
“The worst-case scenario is that we have a disability sector which is unable to meet the needs of people with a disability during the pandemic … What will happen is that many people with disability will end up having to go to hospital.” and $61 million for disability employment providers, was welcomed, Mr Mooney said more was needed.
during the coronavirus pandemic, including guaranteed access to protective equipment and priority COVID-19 testing. But he said the draft response plan - which includes initiatives around prevention of COVID-19, preparedness if an outbreak does occur in disability support settings and how to deal with scenarios where people with disability or carers become infected - was just the “first step” in what was needed.
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