Australia is a country that strives to support and empower people with disabilities, their families and carers. There are various services, programs, payments and policies that aim to improve the quality of life, inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in different areas of life. Here are some examples of disability help in Australia:

Payments and services

People with disabilities may be eligible for different types of payments and services from the Australian Government, depending on their circumstances and needs. Some of these include:

• Disability Support Pension: a regular income support payment for people who have a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working.
• Carer Payment: a regular income support payment for people who provide constant care to someone with a severe disability, illness or medical condition.
• Carer Allowance: a supplementary payment for people who provide daily care to someone with a disability or medical condition.
• Mobility Allowance: a payment for people with disabilities who cannot use public transport without substantial assistance and need to travel for work, study or training.
• Essential Medical Equipment Payment: a payment for people who use certain essential medical equipment or medically required heating or cooling at home.
• Services Australia: the government agency that delivers payments and services for people with disabilities, such as Centrelink, Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The NDIS is Australia’s first national insurance-based scheme for people with disabilities. It funds supports for participants, including supports focused on housing, employment, education, health and wellbeing, community participation and more. The NDIS also provides information, linkages and referrals to other services and supports in the community. The NDIS is available to eligible Australians under 65 years of age who have a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities.

Disability advocacy and rights

People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else to live free from discrimination, violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. There are various organisations and initiatives that help protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities in Australia, such as:

• The National Disability Advocacy Program: a program that funds organisations across Australia to provide advocacy services to people with disabilities.
• The Disability Royal Commission: a public inquiry into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disabilities in all settings and contexts.
• The National Disability Strategy: a 10-year plan that guides governments and other organisations to improve the lives of people with disabilities across six priority areas: inclusive and accessible communities; rights protection, justice and legislation; economic security; personal and community support; learning and skills; health and wellbeing.
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1992: a federal law that makes it unlawful to discriminate against people on the basis of their disability in various areas of public life, such as employment, education, housing, transport and services.

Conclusion

Disability help in Australia is diverse and comprehensive, covering different aspects of life and needs of people with disabilities. By accessing these supports and services, people with disabilities can achieve their goals, exercise their rights and participate fully in society.