The latest Coronavirus and NDIS news - without the spin or jargon

No images? Click here [link removed]

Hi Supporter,

With so much going on right now, we know getting good clear information is more important than ever.

The last few weeks Every Australian Counts has been flooded with questions from people with disability and their families trying to get the info and support they need to make it through this difficult period.

And we’ve been trying to get answers. Last week we held a [[link removed]] Zoom forum [[link removed]] with NDIA’s Scott McNaughton. [[link removed]]

But this week we went straight to the top.

Interview with NDIA CEO Martin Hoffman

Last Friday, we put your questions straight to NDIA CEO Martin Hoffman.

We were sent so many questions we did not have time to get through them all.

But we did manage to ask him why the NDIA increased prices by 10 per cent - but not increased plans by the same amount? Why had the cancellation policy been changed? How much support is it reasonable to expect families to provide - particularly at the moment?

And what on earth is happening with iPads?

You can watch the interview in full or read the transcript on our website.

And because we did not have a chance to ask him all the questions we were sent Martin has promised to speak to us again. So stay tuned.

And as always we will keep chasing answers – and pushing for the changes we all desperately need.

Catch the interview [[link removed]] Health care during COVID-19: What more needs to be done

Many people with disability face a triple threat from the Coronavirus. They are more likely to catch it and are likely to get sicker from it. And at the same time the health care system does not have good track record in dealing well with people with disability. As was made very clear during the recent Royal Commission hearings [[link removed]].

Earlier this week, our good friend Dr George Taleporos talked to us about why heath care reform is always important – but why at the moment it is absolutely critical.

Dr George is one of the members of an advisory group who helped develop the Australian government’s national plan for health care [[link removed]] for people with disability during this crisis.

And Dr George tells us the plan is a start – but there is so much more work to be done.

Read what Dr George had to say [[link removed]] And just in case you missed it …

The government has set up a national hotline just for people with disability and their families to help them deal with the Coronavirus.

And during the week it is run by the good folks at Ideas [[link removed]] who have oodles of experience in helping people with disability.

People on the hotline can help you find information, or services. They can refer you to an advocate or help you find counselling if that’s what you need.

Most of all - they will listen and help you get where you need to go.

You can call the hotline on 1800 643 787. Or you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677

The hotline is open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm and on the weekends 9am - 7pm.

Find out more about the hotline [[link removed]]

Once again, stay safe. If you have more questions, don’t forget to check out the Coronavirus section [[link removed]] on our website.

Kirsten and the Every Australian Counts team

Every Australian Counts Preferences [link removed] | Unsubscribe [link removed]