Marshall
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Marshall has used a wheelchair since he was 11. He is now in his 60s.
Marshall told the Royal Commission he was ‘delighted’ when the NDIS was announced. As ‘someone with an almost life-long disability’, he recognised the difference it would make in people’s lives.
‘I thought, finally disabled people will get dedicated support.’
He was aware it was only available to people under 65, which ‘seemed unfair and illogical’. Fortunately Marshall was 64, and was keen to register.
But when he phoned the NDIS he was advised he could only register within six months of the rollout in his area.
He checked the rollout date for his area and was relieved to find it would happen before he turned 65.
Six months prior to the date he registered for the scheme. He was ‘advised the rollout had been delayed’ and the NDIS wouldn’t accept his registration.
The new proposed rollout date was one month after Marshall’s birthday. He would be 65 and ineligible for the NDIS.
‘It seemed incomprehensible to me that one was not allowed to register outside of the six months rollout in one's area.’
Marshall was frustrated and distressed to miss out by one month.
‘The whole process was apparently designed to limit the numbers, I cannot think of another valid reason for the illogical restrictions on registering.’
Marshall contacted his local federal MP but, Marshall said, ‘she was decidedly unsympathetic’.
Marshall was advised ‘the My Aged Care program is responsible for those over 65’.
But he told us this ‘is a much less comprehensive program and should not be applied to those suffering from lifelong disabilities’.
Marshall said ‘the eligibility rules for the NDIS should be made simpler’ and the age limit of 65 removed.
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.