Data collection limitations make it difficult to assess the level of additional need for services. Data collection currently focuses on people with severe and profound limitations rather than on all those people requiring assistance to overcome barriers to community participation and inclusion. Data is not available on whether people are satisfied with the options, quality and quantity of services available. There is no consistency of data collection across the relevant funding Programs.
In 2003, 1.74 million Australians with a disability used aids and equipment.549 The provision of these is fragmented across a variety of government and non-government providers. More than 20 percent of submissions to the ‘Shut Out’ report revealed that a lack of aids and equipment created a barrier to community participation.550 (See also Article 20)
Difficulties encountered include meeting the eligibility requirements, being unable to pay for upgrades or the gap between costs and government support, long waiting times for assistance and limited availability of appropriate equipment.
Eligibility criteria can be quite strict. For example, people who require hearing aids are only eligible for services and equipment if they are a concession card holder or receive Centrelink sickness allowance or are referred by Federal Government-funded vocational rehabilitation services.551 Hearing and visual aids are also excluded from Medicare and people who are vision impaired are not covered by many government equipment schemes.552
