Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan - on the disabling nature of bureaucracy Labelling The Disabling

In this episode Siobhan tells us her story of acquiring disability - vision loss and mobility impairment - as a result of having ovarian cancer. She explains the impact of navigating the changes that came about because of her disability and complex health challenges and how these were amplified by the added challenges of ascertaining who may be able to help her with her new support needs. The often confusing bureaucracy of the NDIS and uncertainty about who will pay for disability or health related supports is vividly brought into focus as Siobhan tells her story. Siobhan's experience articulates how bureaucratic systems can be inaccessible and obstructive to people getting their needs met in the simplest way possible resulting in greater costs in administration and gate keeping. Siobhan's concern about people missing out on the supports they need lead her to write an opinion piece that was recently published by the ABC - link below.
Siobhan's article - social benefit of NDIS being undermined by bureaucratic hair splitting
Guide Dogs Australia - link