Antony
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Antony has a genetic condition that in later life left him deafblind. He lost his career and now receives a Disability Support Pension.
Antony told the Royal Commission various government agencies have contravened the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by not making information as accessible as possible.
‘The [convention] clearly states that barriers to information … need to be decreased and information provided in my preferred format [as a person with a disability].’
Antony said one government agency’s website, for example, was difficult for people with disability to navigate and did not meet current international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. He had to pay an accountant to help him fill in the ‘incomprehensible lengthy documents’.
‘The impact [of] these experiences have led to frustration, helplessness and hopelessness, besides having a financial impact involving accountant or carer support.’
Antony’s disabilities prevent him from using a phone. He would prefer to communicate with one of the government agencies by email, but can’t find a way to do so. This means he has to visit the offices with his guide dog.
A security guard once insisted his dog was a pet and denied him access. Another time, front counter staff redirected him to a disability telephone, which he could not use because of his hearing disability.
Antony complained and received a written apology.
‘Hence, if there is a need to attend, I now take these letters in case I need leverage to actually speak to a person.’
Antony said that as the population ages, service providers need ‘strategies that assist, offer respect, and decrease bureaucratic frameworks imposed upon’ the increasing number of people with vision and hearing disabilities.
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.