Life can be expensive for people who have a disability, but there are a number of government and non-profit resources that can help alleviate the financial burden.

The cost of aids and equipment can weigh heavily on disabled people, which is why the government and non-profit organisations have a series of schemes and grants that can assist with the provision of funding to this sector.

Not-for-Profit Sector

The not-for-profit sector provides assistance to people with disability through their community fundraising activities. These are often philanthropic organisations that work with individuals to make their lives easier by providing them with financial and material support that allows them to access the equipment and other resources they need in their daily life.

These organisations are run by passionate people – often volunteers - who believe in giving back to the community. They rely on donations, bequests and fundraising activities that are supported by the local community, which are then distributed to people in need through a system of grants.

Lions Club

Lions Clubs have a long and distinguished history of providing funds for mobility devices for disabled children, and have rallied community support in order to faciliate a series of initiatives to help people with disabilities. Some of these activities include the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation, Operation Smile and their Pre-School Autism Education and Therapy Project.

http://lionsclubs.org.au

Rotary Club

Rotary Australia has a compassionate grants program designed to help people in need, and their criteria for funding includes people with sickness or disability. Previous projects have included a modified family car for a 6-year-old with cerebral palsy, home modifications to facilitate access for wheelchair users, insulin pumps for diabetes sufferers and the supply of prosthetics.

http://rawcs.org.au

Sale-to-Sea

Sale-to-Sea host a Disability Kayak Challenge every year in order to encourage activities for people of all abilities and to raise awareness of a fully inclusive society that supports disabled people to lead an active life on their own terms. The kayak challenge is also a fundraising event that raises money for families and individuals experiencing hardship as a result of a permanent or long term disability.

http://saletosea.com

Government Schemes

One of the biggest expenses for people living with disability is the cost of aids and equipment that are essential to their everyday comfort and safety. While these things can be costly, there are a number of government schemes that can help by providing free or heavily subsidised equipment.

These schemes can help with the cost of things like wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, speech-generating devices, prosthetic limbs or monitoring systems. In addition to this, there are also a number of state and territory equipment schemes that providing funding to those in need, though they are generally means tested.

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Continence Aids Payment Scheme
• Commonwealth-funded home support and home care packages
• Rehabilitation Appliances Program (Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Australian Hearing Services
• Early intervention funding

For more information visit https://www.carergateway.gov.au/financial-support-for-aids-and-equipment.