Graham Clements

A recent report, Beyond Doubt, said that many people with disabilities had bad experiences when reporting crimes to police. They felt the police did not treat them with respect. The report also said police worried they did not have the skills to understand different types of disabilities. The report made a number of recommendations. It recommended the police create a code of practice on how to respond to people with disabilities. The police commissioner has said he will take on board all the recommendations. The report was produced by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Talkback radio and some newspapers seem to have it in for disability pensioners. They claim the number of disability pensioners is spiralling out of control. They say this is because there are too many 'bludgers' getting the Disability Support Pension (DSP). But the evidence says otherwise. The growth rate of people receiving the DSP has decreased over the past decade. This is despite Australia having one of the lowest employment rates for people with disabilities. And our population is increasing and getting older so there will be more people with disabilities. Convictions for defrauding the DSP are also rare.

A trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is underway in the Barwon region of Victoria. DiVine writer Thomas Banks is part of the trial. He went through a lengthy process to create a disability support plan. He found the process frustrating at times. The plan included most of the things he wanted, and helped him grow his business. Thomas is pleased with the NDIS. He does not think the NDIS rollout should be delayed.