National Disability Insurance Agency ordeal drags on for family in dire need

A family has been waiting more than a year for a Federal Government agency to approve basic home modifications that would make life easier and safer for their son.

Alan Banks with son Matthew who suffers from epilepsy and mobility issues and has extreme difficulty accessing their home via the stairs. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A FAMILY has been waiting more than a year for a Federal Government agency to approve basic home modifications that would make life easier and safer for their son who lives with disabilities.

Alan Banks said he had been appealing to the National Disability Insurance Agency to have the family’s shower made safer and a ramp installed to access the front door.

Without the changes, daily life is dangerous for his 30-year-old son, who has an intellectual disability, has epilepsy and cannot walk without support.

Mr Banks said just getting his son through the front door required a precarious walk up six concrete steps.

“I’ve been asking for a ramp at the front of the house, because I have to go backwards when I support him going up and down the steps.

“Mathew is 70kg and a dead weight.”

Mr Banks is one of many parents caring for children who are struggling to have their home modifications approved by the NDIA, which is the Commonwealth agency charged with implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Other parents and an award-winning builder went public with their concerns in the Sunday Tasmanian this week, because some have been waiting years in dangerous situations for the NDIA to approve building works that would make their homes safer.

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Lifetime Homes managing director Peter Overton has called for immediate action, and a Senate inquiry, to resolve the issue.

Mr Overton said lengthy delays to the approval process for home modifications under the NDIA were placing strain on those living with disabilities.

As well as the difficulty of accessing the house, Mr Banks said his son was also facing danger every time he showered.

He said Mathew needed a shower with level access, as their current shower had a step.

“We are flat out trying to get him into the shower,” Mr Banks said.

The NDIA said the agency was working on improvements to speed up the process of having building modifications approved.

A spokesman said the agency was “making a number of changes” to deliver better home-modifications outcomes, “including clearer guidance for building professionals on preparing home modifications specifications and quotes suitable for consideration under the NDIS”.

The agency also plans to reduce the need for multiple quotes and other new approaches to “minimise delay in approval and implementation”.

“These improvements aim to ensure NDIS participants are better supported to maximise use of their funding and focus on their goals,” he said.