Lionel and Martin
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Martin’s 60-year-old brother Lionel has autism and is non-verbal. He lives on his own in public housing. Martin told the Royal Commission that businesses have taken advantage of Lionel’s inability to understand financial and business documents.
About a decade ago, a telco representative cold-called Lionel at his home. They ‘badgered and pestered’ him into switching to their service. Lionel didn’t want to, but eventually agreed just so he could ‘rid himself of the caller’.
It was not until some time later his family discovered that on top of being coerced to change providers, Lionel was also paying rent and fees for equipment and services he didn’t need and wasn’t using.
When Martin tried to address these issues, the telco was ‘very uncooperative’. The ombudsman eventually resolved the matter, determining the telco was exploiting Lionel and must repay the rent and fees to him. But the process took months, Martin said.
Martin also believes Lionel is being exploited by his superannuation fund which has been charging Lionel for ‘disability insurance’ he didn’t know he had. Martin believes the insurance would be useless to Lionel were he to ever make a claim, given he already has disabilities.
‘There is no evidence forthcoming from [the super fund] to indicate my brother understood this complex financial matter,’ Martin said. ‘[Lionel] is being exploited.’
Martin is also concerned that people like Lionel, who do not have advocates to assist them, are being ‘disadvantaged’ by the NDIS.
He told us about one instance where Lionel was denied orthopaedic footwear because the word ‘boots’ was not mentioned in his plan.
Martin complained to the NDIS but was denied access to Lionel’s plan as he was not a designated nominee. Martin said by that stage he had attended five face-to-face meetings with NDIS staff, yet no-one mentioned to him there was a form to complete in order for him to become Lionel’s nominee.
‘Lionel has not had new boots now for three years and cannot walk without his footwear, even around home. We have since become nominees but the whole process has been terrible.’
‘I cannot imagine a disabled person who has no support or capacity to successfully work with NDIS and receive the services they need,’ he said.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.