22 November 2016
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Committee Secretary
Vision 2020 Australia is writing to support the submissions put forward by its member organisations Blind Citizens Australia, Vision Australia and sector partner Guide Dogs Australia to
the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs on the Social Services Legislation
Amendment (Transition Mobility Allowance to the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Bill
Established in October 2000, Vision 2020 Australia is part of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a global initiative of the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Vision 2020 Australia is the national peak body for the eye health and vision care sector, representing around 50 member organisations involved in local and global eye care; health promotion; low vision support; vision rehabilitation; eye research; professional assistance and community support. Members work in partnership and collaboratively with government, local health services and civil society organisations towards the goal of the elimination of avoidable blindness and improving the quality of life for people who are vision impaired.
Blind Citizens Australia, Vision Australia and sector partner Guide Dogs Australia are all represented on Vision 2020 Australia’s Independence and Participation and Committee (the Committee). The Committee brings together a diverse group of members providing services and supports to people who are blind or vision impaired throughout Australia; enabling a unique platform for stakeholders to collaborate, foster consensus and develop a shared understanding on matters of significance affecting member organisations and consumers. Through drawing on the knowledge, experience, and resources of the Committee’s broad and inclusive membership, the Committee is central to supporting one of Vision 2020 Australia’s key roles as an effective conduit to government, offering a unified and consistent voice.
The results of the National Eye Health Survey estimate that there are more than 453,000 people living with blindness or vision impairment across Australia. Evidence also shows that the majority of these are aged over 65 years and will therefore be ineligible for support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Additionally, people who are blind or vision impaired and people with disability more broadly, continue to face multiple barriers when it comes to participating in the workforce. It is estimated that 58 per cent of working age Australian’s who are blind or vision impaired are unemployed and one third of those who are employed would like to work more hours. Historically, the mobility allowance has acknowledged and partially met the non-optional costs for people with disability, regardless of their age, in participating in social and economic life through paid or voluntary work.
National body working in partnership to prevent avoidable blindness and improve vision care
Transitioning the mobility allowance to the NDIS will mean that the majority of people who are blind or vision impaired will be deemed ineligible for mobility support due to an arbitrary age restriction of 65 years, resulting in further disadvantage and inequity.
Vision 2020 Australia would like to make clear that people who are blind or vision impaired and over the age of 65 years are not necessarily frail aged, rather they are often engaged and active members of the community who participate in many aspects of economic and social life. Incorporating the mobility allowance into the NDIS will negatively impact the lives of older people with disability by restricting their opportunities to remain engaged and independent.
Vision 2020 Australia recommends that the mobility allowance is not transitioned to the NDIS and urges the Committee to consider the broader negative implications that this transition would have on the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired. However, should the proposal to incorporate the mobility allowance into the NDIS be adopted, Vision 2020 Australia considers it critical that the Committee support continuity of care to ensure that every person who is eligible for the mobility allowance under the current arrangements, will be equally supported by an alternative measure so that they can remain independent, engaged in their community and free to the live the life they choose.
Yours sincerely
Carla Northam
Chief Executive Officer
Vision 2020 Australia
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