Jayleen
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.
‘There is a pervasive attitude that service provided to people with a disability is a favour that they should be grateful for.’
Jayleen is the mother of a child with autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy. Jayleen is also a bookkeeper, a skill that helps her manage her child’s NDIS paperwork.
‘I have spent many hours with organisations having to correct their contracts due to over charging for services they haven't provided,’ Jayleen told the Royal Commission.
She said in her experience, overcharging was widespread.
‘The financial exploitation, and general attitude that people with a disability or families with a person with a disability have no knowledge and no right to query services, is endemic within almost every service provider I have dealt with.’
Jayleen said one provider had printed on their invoice that, ‘No returns or claims will be recognised unless made within 14 days’, and sent the invoices to arrive 14 days late.
‘Complaints are treated with distain, the accounting practices are sloppy, the reporting and recording keeping is sloppy, and often the attitude is that the company doesn't have to bother because their clients and their families won't know.’
Jayleen said that in one year she dealt with four different providers who were overcharging.
‘If my experience is an indicator, private service providers are charging for services they don't provide and families who have no accounting experience or training are unable to keep up.’
She believed NDIS costs would increase without an audit of providers.
‘I am horrified to think how many people without the knowledge or confidence to deal with such attitudes are [similarly] treated and how much they are exploited.’
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.