Paraplegic single mum Ashlee Morton in NDIS, TAC ‘bureaucratic nightmare’

For two years NDIS support helped a paraplegic single mum start scuba diving, mountain bike riding, and even flying planes. But she says the agency is taking funding away.

Wheelchair-bound Ashlee Morton has been bounced between TAC and NDIS for funding. Pictured Picture: Mark Wilson

AT A GLANCE: paraplegic single mum, faces 'bureaucratic nightmare'

A paraplegic single mum from Barwon Heads says the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) allowed her to start scuba diving, surfing, and even learning to fly, but is now threatening to cut funding for her passions.

Ashlee Morton was just two years old when a car accident left her paraplegic.

Since then, the now 35-year old Barwon Heads single mum of two has had her medical costs covered by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

In 2019, the wheelchair user headed to Sydney’s northern beaches for a groundbreaking scuba diving course for people with spinal cord injury, inspiring her to seek National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding for recreational sport.

It is understood the NDIA has said it was not aware of Ms Morton’s TAC funding when her initial plan was approved in March 2020, a claim Ms Morton disputed.

She said for two years she was living the dream – scuba diving, flying planes, mountain bike riding – before she was told her NDIS funding for a support worker was cut.

“I got a week’s notice, I had to cancel a whole lot I had booked in,” she said.

“I was finding out what I was capable of doing, but I don’t have the ability to do those things without having someone there.

“Having it taken away has had a huge impact on my mental health.”

Ms Morton has spent two years in negotiation with both the NDIA and the TAC to re-establish funding, and recently “finally” been given a non-renewable NDIS transition plan for six months, receiving some support while the matter is being resolved.

“TAC effectively said … they only pay for things that are essential, and I choose to do these activities that require additional support,” she said.

While the TAC and NDIA claim they are working towards a solution, Shine Lawyers Geelong legal practice manager Emily Robinson said Shine had assisted Ms Morton with a dispute through the TAC informal review process, and Ms Morton was a clear example of a “bureaucratic nightmare” as she was caught between the two schemes.

“It’s when people are bounced between the two schemes that things fall through the cracks,” she said.

Ashlee Morton. Picture: Mark Wilson

An NDIA spokeswoman said the agency continued to provide disability funding to Ms Morton, and recently approved a new plan to support her.

“The NDIS is designed to complement, not replace, or overlap existing compensation arrangements,” she said.

A TAC spokesman said the TAC and NDIA would work with Ms Morton to review what entitlements and services previously funded by the NDIS may be eligible for TAC funding, and explore funding options for those services not eligible for TAC funding.

“The TAC is working closely with the NDIS so that these issues can be resolved,” he said.

The spokesman said TAC was able to fund support workers to assist a person to participate in activities if it is required as a result of the transport accident injuries but could not fund the cost of the activity itself.

Originally published as Paraplegic single mum Ashlee Morton in NDIS, TAC ‘bureaucratic nightmare’