6 days ago
Tip shop makes change after parents address sale of kids' disability equipment
When Bridget Lockley and her partner saw their local tip shop selling an adaptive children's bike, what could have been an opportunity instead left them outraged.
The bike was priced at $500.
The same store was also selling a children's high-low chair without cushions for $1,500.
Ms Lockley said bikes for those without specialised needs were typically about $25 at the store.
One of Ms Lockley's daughters has a rare gene change causing multiple diagnoses.
She said her daughter requires a lot of different equipment, listing a walking frame, adapted bike, specialised seating, self-care equipment, standing frame, change table, shower equipment and a high-low bed as some of the items needed.
While she said navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) could be "stressful", it had helped her family overcome barriers by covering expenses and providing essential supports.
Prior to the NDIS, equipment could be accessed locally through TasEquip's loan system, but this changed when the NDIS began and took over government disability funding.
Ms Lockley felt things were easier with TasEquip, saying they often deal with lengthy processes involving a range of trials, assessments and reports.
Her friend, Lauren Miller, agreed, saying it took nearly two years to receive a powered wheelchair for her daughter, and while she began the application process in advance — it still became "urgent" as her daughter grew out of her existing wheelchair.
With others struggling to access the NDIS, Ms Lockley said there are likely people going without the support they need — and the store was sending the wrong message to the community.
If her own daughter saw it, she said "it could make her feel like her needs are less valued than her sisters',".
Ms Miller and Ms Lockley are among parents who disagree with supports usually covered by the NDIS being onsold without proper understanding of the items.
"Pricing them so highly puts them completely out of reach for the very families who rely on community resources like [the tip] shop to bridge critical gaps in access and funding."
Ms Lockley wrote to the tip shop to voice her concerns and said a positive outcome followed.
Belinda Hazel, from Hobart's Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station, which was selling the bike and high-low chair, said "it certainly wasn't intentional" and her team had gone through normal pricing processes but were unaware of the extra considerations for disability equipment.
"When we get different types of items in, we do research to see what those items may be priced on the second-hand market," Ms Hazel said.
Ms Hazel said she contacted a local disability service provider and ended up donating the equipment, saying this would be the process from now.
The provider would also assess the item for safety and quality.
"If we ever get an item like that coming in, we'll reach out to that service provider and have them come up [to the store], and if it's something that a client could use, then they will take that item.
"And if it's something that they're not able to use, then they will work with us to price that accordingly to what they think would be meeting a client's expectations."
For Ms Lockley, it's a welcome outcome.
Assistive Technologies Suppliers Australia, which represents suppliers and advocates for better access, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration regulated some disability equipment.
"Having the TGA ensure that equipment that's coming in is tested is ensured that it's OK safety-wise, that it's actually running at the right speeds, means that everyone is safe when they're using that equipment," Serena Ovens, the industry body's chief executive said.
But she said while there were "reasonable marketplaces out there", buying equipment from "de-regulated" markets wasn't without risk.
"People could be being sold something that is not appropriate for use, that possibly hasn't been tested for them to ensure that they even fit the device, that it's safe for them, that it's not actually going to cause more damage."
Tammy Milne, director of Physical Disability Australia and Disability Voices, said safety and quality was not guaranteed on disability equipment sold outside the NDIS or other disability-tailored outlets.
"In my opinion, tip shops and charity shops should not be selling the stuff at all," she said.
"Who tests them for workability and safety?" she questioned.
Along with Ms Milne, they called for the return of a hire system like TasEquip, which they could use for urgent equipment needs and also selling or donating their own items once they were no longer needed.
The National Disability Insurance Agency said there has been "considerable progress over the past years in reducing wait times for participants, even as the NDIS continues to grow".
"The Agency has implemented several new processes to improve the participant experience for those with Assistive Technology (AT) needs, including improving quick access to low and mid-cost AT," a spokesperson said.
