Morrison can no longer leave the disabilities sector to struggle alone

For many of us, going to any lengths to not catch COVID is the safest choice we can make for our health.

But for those living with a disability, the choice is not so easy.

The disability sector is in crisis – for both the community who receive care and the workers who are on the frontline.

Just liked the aged care sector, those working in disability care are tasked with caring for some of our most vulnerable Australians.

And yet, despite working in the same high-risk settings as their colleagues in health and aged care, disability workers have been provided with no direct Commonwealth Government support or recognition.

Earlier this month, unions, workers, service providers and people with disability met with MPs in Canberra to call on the Morrison Government to provide the disability sector with much needed support.

People with disability, disability care workers and service providers united in calling for the Morrison govt to urgently respond to critical shortages of staff, PPE and RATs pic.twitter.com/dgDqmnT2bc

— Michele O'Neil (@MicheleONeilAU) February 15, 2022

Our list of collective demands included:
  

• PPE – including masks, Rapid Antigen Tests and oximeters – must be free and accessible for all people with disability and their support workers.
• People with disability need support workers, even when the people who usually visit them get sick.
• NDIS workers who are exposed to COVID-19 at work must be supported to isolate without losing income or drawing on their leave balances.
• COVID-19 workforce retention payments for the NDIS workforce must be immediately introduced.
• Quick easy-to-access PCR tests are vital.

There’s no time to lose. We’re calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to implement much needed financial assistance and a fit-for-purpose plan of action.