Johan and Madelynn
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.
Johan is autistic and has low vision as a result of albinism. His mum Madelynn told the Royal Commission Johan is studying part time because he ‘can’t cope with the stress of full-time uni’.
Johan has an NDIS plan. After he left school, he hoped to use NDIS job support funding to find part-time supported work. But he discovered the disability employment agencies don’t accept university students. They said it is difficult to place students in jobs because their timetables change each semester.
However, when Johan finishes his degree Madelynn said he will be ‘too old’ to access the NDIS job support funding. The program assumes people with a disability should be able to complete a university degree within three to four years, ‘which is often not possible,’ she said.
‘He will finish his degree and desperately need funding support to work successfully, but he won’t be able to get any support.’
It isn’t fair, she said, that someone who is intellectually capable but still requires supports, misses out.
Madelynn has shared her concerns with Johan’s NDIS support planner.
‘I hope NDIS will rectify this problem and provide disabled people doing part‐time university study with the transition to employment support they need.’
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.