TranslateFree Information and Advice Under Threat – Act Now
Indigo’s cornerstone service that is well known for delivering free information and advice about assistive technology, is under threat. There is currently no commitment from the West Australian government to continue funding this essential service beyond 30 June 2021.
If this service is not funded in the next budget, the lives of more than 90% of the disability community in WA, many of whom do not have access to NDIS support, could be significantly impacted. This will also affect people aged 65 years and over with low care needs, who don’t have access to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
For more than 40 years Indigo (formerly the Independent Living Centre WA) has been renowned for providing information and advice about assistive technology (devices and equipment) and assisting people to live as independently as possible.
If you or someone you know uses assistive technology to enhance their quality of life, they will no longer be able to contact us to speak with a health professional for free.
Every year Indigo responds to more than 15,000 calls and emails requesting information and advice about the range of essential assistive technology available to help maintain or improve their independent living at home. Whether it relates to the most appropriate scooter for your mum to choose or how the home can be modified for greater accessibility and convenience, information and advice about living well and living independently is our reason for being.
In fact our purpose is very much focused on: Greater independence and inclusion for all through allied health and assistive technology solutions.
The key component of this purpose is independence and inclusion for all, and that is what is at risk if this service is not continued into 2021/2022 and beyond.
If you feel as strongly as we do about the continuation of this essential service to the Western Australian community, then please let the Minister know you would like a commitment to continue funding Indigo’s free assistive technology information and advice line.
If you would like to help, please follow the four-step instructions below:
1. Click on the email link to contact the Minister’s office and use this subject line:
Please continue funding for Indigo’s information and advice service in 2021/2022.
A suggested response is included below:
Indigo’s Information and advice line is at risk of closing on 1 July 2021 if it is not funded by the current government in the 2021/2022 budget.
This service subsidises advice for people aged 65 and over who do not have CHSP support and people with disability who are not covered by NDIS funding. This equates to more than 360,000 West Australians with a disability, losing access to support from some of the state’s most experienced and knowledgeable health professionals. Each year Indigo takes more than 15,000 enquiries about assistive technology through its information and advice service.
Minister, please ensure our citizens can receive this vital service to help them to continue to participate in the community and live as independently as possible.
Please end the uncertainty over funding for this key service and commit to supporting Indigo’s health professionals to keep making a difference to people’s lives. It is vital that people who do not qualify for NDIS or CHSP support or can access this service free of charge.
Kind Regards,
2.Send the email to: Minister.Dawson@dpc.wa.gov.au
3. Telephone +61 8 6552 5800
4. OR Mail a hard copy letter to: