SUBMISSION: by the ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. to HREOC on:

HREOC Issues Paper: Accessibility of electronic commerce and other new service delivery technologies for older Australians and people with a disability.

Brief Background on the reason we felt it was important to respond to the Issues Paper.

 

The ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. (referred to as 'the Association' for the purpose of this submission) was funded $64760 by DCITA - AccessAbility Grants to provide people with a spinal cord injury, who live in rural and isolated areas of Tasmania, with computer / software and assistive devices for their specific needs and 12 months free online access.

Ms Jenny Stanzel, AM former manager of the disability information service I.D.E.A.S. Inc. NSW was, with Ms Robyn Wolstenholme, Rural Development Centre, Uni of New England, NSW, the co-author of the Report funded by the Office of Disability in the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services in 1995-1996 (and finalised 30 July 1997) named: Communications Technology: Information and Access Issues for People with Disabilties. Ms Stanzel is the Project Officer who developed the submission for the ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. which was based on some of the findings of this Report.

The project began in January 1999 and will be complete by January 31 2000. The project was open to any person who met the above criteria and age was considered no barrier.

We have included a copy of our comprehensive questionnaire application form and details of applicants such as, male / female, their age and reasons for wanting to have access to appropriate information technology. We believe this information allows you an insight into the simple and complex reasons that people applied for computers and assistive devices. Nine were chosen in the first 'round' and two more have been advised that we had sufficient funds to supply them with appropriate computers and assistive devices.

Comments:

Information Technology / Equipment

  1. The Association has found that many people with physical disabilities may have several complex requirements for them to be able to use computers / software and assistive devices to assist them to access information technology in a manner that is 'comfortable' for them e.g.

Difficulties:

The cost to purchase a computer is minimal compared to the actual cost of purchasing the peripheral devices mentioned above. The cost excludes many, many people with severe physical disabilities from ever purchasing information technology that could (and possibly would) assist them and enhance their lives from within their homes.

The Association found that the cost for one person who is non-verbal was just over $4000 for the very basics for her needs. For an individual, on a pension, who is looking towards education or self-employment this price is prohibitive if on a pension. It is no good having the equipment available through the tertiary institutions and not available within the home.

Considering many people who are seeking tertiary qualifications and employment are people who have acquired their disability later in their life. Many people with a disability age earlier than the ordinary person without a disability and are therefore disadvantaged doubly ie disability and early ageing.

People who are unable physically to move freely within their own communities are therefore, at times, dependent on family, service agencies and other people to carry out the most basic daily living needs such as banking, purchasing, visiting, recreation / leisure activities of their choice.

If information technology was available to all these people at very low cost or by government benefit then we are confident that many people would become less dependent on their family, friends and service agencies and more able to carry out many activities via online access. This seems to be the 'theme' that is emerging from many of the Association's participants for the project.

Assessment:

  1. Many people will require in-depth assessment before equipment is purchased. There are two types of assessment that should be considered; an assessment by professionals visiting the home; videoing of the person for an assessment by an 'off-site' professional. We have found the latter more acceptable to the three participants who required lengthy assessments. The reason being that they had to have many assessments on their physical disability needs throughout their lives and therefore preferred the videoing for something that was actually being done to assist them to become more independent. They could be the one expressing and identifying their needs and expressing these needs freely to an 'off-site' independent person who was only there to assist with the finer details.

    2. Training:

  2. A component that must be considered as critical for inclusion is the need for training individuals within their own home. This is costly but necessary as many people who require training for specific assistive devices for their computers need ongoing training until their confidence is assured. Once initial training is complete then there needs to be training of how services can be accessed via online. After this has been completed then there should be ongoing online training in all aspects of information technology and its uses and advantages.

    3. Online Access:

  3. As online access develops further the developers need to ensure ease of access for all

    4. people with disabilities. Consideration should give alternate ways of access so that people who need simple prompts can do so.

    Government Contribution:

  4. In at least one Scandinavian country people who have a physical disability are give a computer if they fit a certain eligible criteria. Whilst this offers the computers we are not sure whether if offers the specific peripherals that people may require. We are also aware that where this system has come across problems is the ongoing training and support.

Ongoing support of participants has been already identified by the C.H.O.I.C.E. Online project ParaQuad Tas. as 'difficult' as we do not have the resources to continue onsite support when requested - we are considering online support through intercams.

These comments relate only to people with spinal cord injury and their ability to use computers / software and assistive devices that allow them access to agencies and services of their choice. The Association believes that this type of access will allow many people dignity, independence, choice and acceptance - this is what most people within a community strive to achieve within their lifetime.

Jenny Stanzel

For and on behalf of Members of the ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc.