kitchen makeover a winner for Anne
Tasmanian Anne Dick is grateful for the NDIS because it ’ s meant her sixyear wait to have her unit modified to suit her disability is over .
Anne , who has severe spina bifida , was living independently , in Burnie , 40 minutes away from her mum who lived in Devonport but when her condition worsened and she needed to be closer to mum , she put herself on a housing waiting list for accommodation in Devonport .
After an arduous two-year wait , Anne was finally offered a unit but to her disbelief it wasn ’ t disability friendly .
“ I can ’ t stand , weight bare or walk on my feet and to live independently I rely on my wheelchair ,” she said .
Needing fully accessible accommodation , Anne raised the issue with the housing commission but was told if she didn ’ t accept the unit she would return to the bottom of the waiting list .
“ It took two years to get this place ,” Anne said . “ And with my physical and mental health rapidly deteriorating I felt I had no option but to take the unit . I needed to be near mum and I was too afraid I ’ d have to wait a few more years for something suitable and given my health , it wasn ’ t a consideration .”
Anne said the unit ’ s kitchen layout was her main issue . “ The sink was in one corner , which meant I really had to twist and turn my back to be able to reach into it ,” she said . “ The hotplates were in another corner ; the oven in another and fridge / freezer in the other . All were really difficult for me to access . It clearly wasn ’ t designed for someone with disability in mind .”
When Anne discussed these issues with her National Disability Insurance Agency Local Area Coordinator , Troy , she said he was able to give her some hope .
“ Now all the modifications I need doing are about to happen . It ’ s great . It means I ’ ll be able to position myself right in front of the sink to do my dishes . It ’ s a simple request , which has taken years but it means a lot to me .” linkonline . com . au accommodation , home modifications & improvements
33