“Reports that disabled New Zealanders are being denied replacements for vital equipment are unacceptable and need addressing,” says ACT’s Disability Issues’ spokesperson Toni Severin.
“Reports that disabled New Zealanders are being denied replacements for vital equipment are unacceptable and need addressing,” says ACT’s Disability Issues’ spokesperson Toni Severin.
“Stuff reports that Auckland man Stephen Dean has been denied a replacement wheelchair after his previous custom chair was stolen and temporary chair was damaged in the Auckland floods.
“Dean has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and said he could barely manage 70 metres with a walking frame and support person. But when the Government’s wheelchair assessment service refused his application, it congratulated him for being able to walk 100 metres.
“There is something seriously wrong with the assessment service if people like Stephen are being let down like this. This equipment is important to help people be part of society, not excluded from society because of their disability.
“Not having access to the right equipment can greatly diminish someone’s quality of life. Just because they can struggle through life without something means they should have to. Te Whatu Ora needs to have some sympathy.
“The assessment appeared to have basic facts about Dean’s situation wrong, like how far he could travel without a wheelchair and whether he attended physiotherapy. Assessments that have such a huge impact on someone’s life can’t have these many inaccuracies and when mistakes are made, deserve a better follow up.
“Te Whatu Ora’s spokesperson refused to comment on Dean’s individual case and said it has a ‘rigorous process’. If these are the results it is hard to agree with them, they need to do better for disabled New Zealanders.”