By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A lack of complaints about Geelong headquartered National Disability Insurance Scheme has prompted fears clients were scared to complain.
Victorian Disability Services Commissioner, Laurie Harkin said the biggest obstacle to improvements for many with a disability was fear that complaining may have consequences such as loss of services.
Geelong Indy has reported over the last two years on NDIS clients citing serious issues with the scheme and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Last year a parliamentary committee was told problems plaguing the NDIA were risking the lives of disabled people.
Figures in the sector told Geelong Indy the NDIA kept clients in the dark about complaints procedures.
The agency also warned of possible cost blowouts as part of a state-wide roll out of the Barwon trial site.
The Independent reported in September that Premier Daniel Andrews had signed a $5.1 billion bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth to roll out the scheme to an estimated 105,000 Victorians.
“The job of complaints handling offices is to ensure that people with a disability have an equal voice and right to speak out,” Mr Harkin said.
“In the NDIS Barwon Trial site we have seen a smaller than expected number of complaints to complaints handling offices.
“It would be unrealistic to think people are overwhelmingly happy with every aspect of their service, but rather that they are either not aware of their right, not informed about who to contact or fearful to raise issues.
“This is why we are holding an information session to inform people about who to contact if participants are dissatisfied with the NDIA, disability service provider or community mental health provider.
“Improvements cannot be made to the delivery of support to people with a disability without the voice of the people telling us what is not working with the agency or their disability service provider.
“Addressing these complaints confidentially and effectively is vital to improving basic quality of life for people with a disability.”
Mr Harkin said the community needed to retain confidence in the NDIS as a scheme.
He said complaints contributed to identifying ways to improve the scheme so it was important that people spoke up.
The NDIA participant information session about complaint pathways will include the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Disability Services Commissioner and Mental Health Complaints Commissioner.
The session is on 9 December between 10am and noon at Barrabool Hills Baptist Church, Province Boulevard Highton.
