A KOONAWARRA man has started, a petition against changes to the Disability Support Pension which he claims will disadvantage and discriminate against people with a disability, rather than encourage them into work.
Ken Davis, both a recipient of the pension and an occupational therapist who assesses people for the pension, believes the changes come out of ignorance.
Under the Federal Government's "welfare to work" reforms, from July 1 next year people able to do 15 hours of part time work would no longer he entitled to the pension and would be moved Newstart allowance.
They would have to meet job search requirements and would be $44 per week worse off, Mr Davis said.
As most people with disabilities wanted to work, he believed the Government should give employers an incentive to hire them.
“Because of the job I do part-time is to assess people with a disability, I can see first hand that the Government’s claims about these people are not true...the characterisation of people on the disability support pension as malingerers”, he said. “The most serious misconception is what it takes for a disabled person to find real employment that does not aggravate their condition.”
Mr Davis said the idea that people with back injuries could easily find part-time office work was an example of this – often office work could make their condition worse.
“They (the Government) really have a poor understanding of people with disabilities. What I am hoping is there will be enough signatures to get some attention and that it might motivate both people with a disability and people around them to get on board with the political process and try and make a difference.”
Mr Davis said his was not the only campaign against the pension reforms. The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations has launched Campaign Enable to coerce the Government to replace its “unfair” policies with a practical national employment strategy for those with a disability.
Mr Davis’ petition is at www.life-directions.net/dsp.php
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