Judith and Ricky
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.
Judith and her son, Ricky, have autism.
‘Because my disability is invisible people don't realise how difficult life is,’ said Judith.
Ricky eats a narrow range of food and struggles to fit in at school. Judith is ‘overwhelmed with everyday things like shopping for food, walking along a street, talking to people’.
Judith told the Royal Commission that her biggest struggle is finding a suitable place to live near the support services she and Ricky need.
‘Housing is a huge issue. … We have waited many years on the government housing list only to be placed in an unliveable home.’
Judith said that while she and Ricky are both eligible for the NDIS, they aren’t eligible for housing support through the scheme.
‘I personally know of dozens of women with children who have disabilities who do not have stable housing. They are unable to afford ever increasing rents because they have limited work opportunities due to being full-time carers.’
Judith said it means they are forced to move when a landlord increases the rent or sells the house.
‘They are unable to move to cheaper, more remote areas (as is often suggested) because they have local support networks … As it is, we live in isolated houses in neighbourhoods where neighbours don't understand disabilities.’
Judith said single parents of children with disability had fewer options. Sharing a house to save money was often out of the question ‘due to their child’s disabilities’.
‘We have no stability, no community, no supports. This is the most difficult part of having a disability. Living in isolation. It is an empty existence.’
Judith said the isolation made people with disability prone to exploitation.
‘We get charged high NDIS fees for providers to travel to us. … Some people are unable to find alternative services due to their location so they are more vulnerable to the excessive price gouging … There are too many providers now using it as a cash cow, providing sub-standard service and requesting top NDIS rates.’
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.