Rocco, Ada and Tatiana
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.
Tatiana is a disability advocate. She told the Royal Commission that people with disability, their families and carers are concerned the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is ‘a toothless tiger’ and ineffective in handling complaints.
Ada’s son, Rocco, has intellectual disability and lives in a supported independent living home. Ada was concerned about ongoing restrictive practices that were happening at the home without her authorisation.
For example on several occasions when she went to visit her son, Ada found him locked inside his bedroom, alone. She could hear Rocco in his room but was unable to get into the house until the support workers arrived.
Tatiana helped Ada make a formal complaint to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. But when she went to follow up with the Commission, they told her Ada ‘would need to make contact with the service provider and ask that they provide her with the response they had provided to the commission in regards to her complaint’.
The Commission also said it was up to Ada to arrange a meeting with the service provider to discuss a resolution.
Tatiana questioned why it is the responsibility of family members to initiate a response. ‘How can people trust that the service provider will be truthful in how they respond to the complaint and even to provide the complainant with the response sent to the Commission?’
As an elderly parent, Tatiana said, Ada had already spent many hours over the years trying to address this issue. It left her ‘tired and stressed’.
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.