People with disabilities or PwDs require assistance and support from healthcare professionals to ensure their health and overall well-being. Since disabilities significantly impair cognitive, physical, and sensory functions, proper medication and treatments are necessary. However, healthcare services for people with disabilities can be costly.
Fortunately, the government and other organizations work hand in hand to make disability healthcare and other related services accessible and affordable. They also support several healthcare facilities to provide quality healthcare for PwDs.
Medical professionals are trained to treat disability-related illnesses and provide proper patient care. In various parts of the world, like Australia, the government, in partnership with several organizations, even offers multiple benefits to people with disabilities. Read on to learn more:
1. Disability Healthcare Services Can Improve A PwD’s Quality Of Life
PwDs should have access to various healthcare services that can help support their needs. Their care may require coordination from different healthcare professionals to keep them comfortable. But as mentioned earlier, access to these services may be expensive. This is where the disability healthcare service programs sponsored by the government and other organizations enter the picture.
For example, in Australia, the National Disability Scheme or NDIS is a program designed to assist PwDs. Started in 2012 and launched nationwide in 2016, it aims to cover the rising demand for disability assistance in Australia. It helps people with disabilities get the support they need to live comfortably. These may include support for health and well-being, such as therapy services and psychosocial support.
As such, PwDs in Australia can easily access disability healthcare services funded by the national disability scheme through their registered care providers. But before availing of these benefits, people with disabilities must meet specific eligibility requirements.
2. Education And Work Support Allows PwDs To Study And Earn A Living
People with disabilities can also take advantage of education and work support. These programs aim to provide PwDs the support they need to improve themselves and earn money despite their disabilities.
For instance, the NDIS in Australia doesn’t only provide support for healthcare services. They also offer education and work support to minimize the functional impact of the disability. These include:
Personal care and school support
Specialist School transportation support
support when transitioning to higher education or work
Indeed, there are many work and study support that PwDs can get from the government in partnership with some accredited providers.
3. Home And Living Support Allows PwDs To Live Independently
PwDs also deserve to live independently and happily. This is where home and living support enter the picture. These benefits are designed to assist PwDs with home and living needs. For example, the NDIS in Australia can provide the following home and living assistance:
Support to boost living skills and household management
Home modification support to the participant’s home
Assistance around the house if the participant can’t undertake household tasks due to the disability
With home and living support, PwDs will have a better chance of living a comfortable and happy life, despite the functional impact of the disability.
4. PwDs Can Benefit From Financial Assistance
People with disabilities can also obtain financial assistance from the government and related organizations. The money can cover hospital bills and medical and treatment expenses. For example, PwDs in the United States can avail themselves of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to help them financially with healthcare costs and other living expenses.
In Australia, some agencies provide financial aid on behalf of the government to people with disabilities. These include:
Disability Support Pension (DSP): It’s a form of financial help that one can receive if they have a permanent intellectual, psychiatric, and physical condition that prevents them from working. But like other disability benefits, specific eligibility requirements need to be complied with before one can avail themselves of DSP.
Mobility Allowance: It’s a financial payment that helps cover travel costs for study or work for PwDs who can’t use public transport without seeking help. However, it’s not available for PwDs with funded support from the NDIS.
Youth Disability Supplement: It’s an extra payment provided to younger persons with disabilities aged between 21 to 24 years old and on an income support payment, like DSP.
These are some financial aid people with disabilities can get to finance their expenses. If you’re a PwD, you can check with your government and other agencies for available financial aid for their situation.
Conclusion
Dealing with a disability is never easy. It can affect a person’s life due to physical and social limitations. Fortunately, disability benefits are in place to provide various support to PwDs. Therefore, if you’re a person with a disability, keep the information mentioned above in mind. This way, you’ll know what to do or where to go if you need assistance.
