The Current Assistive Technology Funding Gap
Funding for AT (assistive technology) for people who are excluded from the NDIS is spreads across multiple states and federal government departments and not-for-profit organisations. This makes it hard for people to know where to go to access the assistive technology they need and the necessary providers that they can reach out to receive help. Check out the funding map that’s been developed by the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) to see a brief outline of the various avenues of accessing assistive technology.
We understand that there needs to be change, that’s why we are here.
Long waiting lists and high costs mean that individuals’ are forced to:
- go without the assistive technology they need and require for their daily lifestyle living
- self-fund assistive technology, often at significant personal costs
- go without additional supports that they need so that they can cover the cost of their assistive technology
- use outdated or inappropriate aids which do not meet their personal needs
- go without individual therapist supports and advice, equipment trials and demonstrations—this may mean that they end up with assistive technology that does not meet their needs
- go without training to enable them to gain the maximum benefit from their assistive technology
A woman with a walker looks across a trench representing assistive technology funding gap, to a sign that says ‘needs met’.
The main funding pathways that were promised to provide support to people with disability who are excluded from the NDIS are set out under the following links. Follow these links to find out how each system is falling short of peoples needs.