In the heart of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) lies the pursuit of empowering individuals with disabilities to lead lives filled with choice, freedom, and dignity. However, the journey towards this ideal is not always straightforward. In this sit down with Andrew, we delve into his personal experiences and aspirations, shedding light on their desires for autonomy and the challenges he has faced within the current support framework.
Interviewer: What would you like to see NDIS providers do differently?
Andrew: I feel like providers should prioritise what the client wants to do. If clients want to go to a strip club or bowling, it should be their choice because they are adults. I want to be treated more like an adult with providers.
Interviewer: Can you share an activity you've wanted to do but were too scared to ask support workers to take you?
Andrew: I’ve been too scared to ask to go to pubs and casinos, just things that able-bodied people can do.
Interviewer: What did you fear would happen if you were to ask?
Andrew: They would say no, get mad, and tell me what I can and can’t do. It feels like we get treated differently because we have disabilities, always being told the things we can’t do.
Interviewer: Have you ever asked someone to take you somewhere and they said no?
Andrew: Yes, I have. I really wanted to go to the casino, but no one took me.
Interviewer: Did they say why they didn’t take you?
Andrew: They said it wasn’t safe to go there.
Interviewer: Are there any other changes you’d like to see in society?
Andrew: People with disabilities shouldn’t be limited by able-bodied people in society; we shouldn’t be told what to do. Society needs to accept that people with disabilities have the same desires as people who don’t have disabilities; we’re adults too.
Interviewer: Do you have anything you’d like to say to the disability community?
Andrew: We should do the things that everyone else does, like going out, socialising, and making friends. We should get a chance as well, and receive no judgment.
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on this conversation, it becomes evident that the quest for inclusivity extends beyond policy frameworks. It calls for a cultural shift, one where individuals with disabilities are granted the agency to shape their lives according to their aspirations. This dialogue serves as a poignant reminder that, in the pursuit of equality, every voice deserves to be heard, and every choice respected.
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