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This paper has been prepared by COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, in conjunction with several other peak bodies, to support the development of an Agenda for Action on service gaps facing older Victorians with a disability.
At the heart of this issue is the inequity and complexity that has emerged in older people’s access to disability supports. Reforms in the disability system have brought huge improvements for many, yet the aged care system and other services are not providing an adequate response to older people ineligible for the NDIS. These gaps relate not only to personal support, but to healthcare, provision of aids and equipment, and community participation.
COTA Victoria and its partners believe we need a more joined-up approach to these issues, focusing on the real, urgent everyday needs of older Victorians with a disability. This includes targeted disability supports – in whichever system they are provided – together with the contributions of interfacing service systems, and the role of governments at all levels in supporting social and economic inclusion, wellbeing, and safety of people with disability right across the life course.
We welcome feedback on this paper, particularly from organisations working to meet the needs and interests of older Victorians and those with a disability. We will also be seeking input directly from community members through a survey and facilitated discussions. We hope that this supports useful ongoing dialogue between the community, service providers and governments to tackle these issues.
Please email your thoughts on the questions posed throughout this paper, and any other feedback by 31 October 2024, via email. You can also take part in our survey focussed on this publication, found here.
Acknowledgements
While COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria take full responsibility for the contents of this paper, we gratefully acknowledge input and advice from staff from the following organisations:
- Disability Advocacy Victoria
- Municipal Association of Victoria
- National Disability Services (Victorian Office)
- Victorian Council for Social Service
- Victorian Mental Illness Association
- Women with Disabilities Victoria