COTA Victoria has led the development of a submission on behalf of the Assistive Technology For All (ATFA) alliance in response to a recent paper on a future assistive technologies & home modifications (AT-HM) scheme to support the reformed in-home aged care program arriving in 2024.
COTA Victoria coordinates the national ATFA campaign, and advocates for improved access to assistive technology for all people with disabilities that are excluded from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). More than 60 peak bodies and organisations spanning the health, ageing and disability sectors, as led by COTA Victoria, work together to represent millions of people with disability, their families, and carers.
The paper fed back on a co-design process that took place in 2022, which COTA Victoria and other AFTA members had contributed to. While the paper was a positive step, the submission addressed a variety of key concerns, including:
- Affordability of AT-HM in the absence of a fully subsided scheme.
- Further attention to informal carers, and the vital role they aid in defining AT-HM needs, access, and relevant products.
- Risk of digital exclusion through the scheme’s reliance on accessing services and products through online platforms.
- The need for further detail on various aspects of the future AT-HM scheme.
COTA Victoria looks forward to working collaboratively with the Department of Health and Aged Care in contributing towards the development of Australia’s new aged care system and advocating for older Australians’ easier access to assistive technology.
For further information, you can find the full submission on the ATFA website.
Rachel Spencer
Policy Officer – Policy & Advocacy Team, COTA Victoria