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This part of our website is to give the same information to you that was given to recent inquirers to our information service, SCInfo.

When interesting or regular questions are asked, you'll get to know the answers too.

Remember, any time you want to know what, where, how or why, ask SCInfo.

Information on this page and hyperlinked web references are correct at the time of writing but may change.  Please let us know of any out of date information.

Q: What insurance do I need for my wheelchair or scooter?

A: There are four things you need to be insured for:

Third party personal injury
Public liability
Damage and loss
Travel

In NSW most wheelchairs and scooters are automatically covered for third party personal injury they cause on a “road or road related area” if the user is at fault. In the Motor Accidents Act 1988 and the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1997, road or road related area includes:

  1. an area that divides a road;
  2. a footpath or nature strip adjacent to a road;
  3. an area that is open to the public and is designed for use by cyclists or animals; and
  4. an area that is not a road and that is open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking motor vehicles.

The protection is under the Nominal Defendant Scheme which is administered by Motor Accident Authority (MAA). The Nominal Defendant would pay compensation to the injured person and would not seek to recover that payment from the at fault driver of the chair if it was exempt from registration. That is if the wheelchair cannot travel at more than 10 km/h. Previously it was also limited to chairs that weigh less than 110 kg.

Similar schemes operate in other states.

But what about something that happens in other places?

Then you need to think about liability cover for injury and property damage. That is generally part of a home contents insurance policy. However not all insurers offer this extended cover.

Ask your insurer the following questions. If you don't like what you hear, shop around.

  • Will the policy provide cover for damage my chair may cause others, including personal and property damage?
  • Does the cover extend outside my home?
  • What is the value of this cover? (Typically it should be $10 million).
  • Am I covered on public roads as well as private property?
  • Are there any exemptions?

That type of cover is sometimes only available if you insure your chair as an item taken outside your home, in the same way you might insure jewellery or a camera.

The home contents insurance also covers the value of the chair if it is lost, damaged or stolen.

When you travel any damage that happens to the chair in transit while your chair is 'luggage' will be the responsibility of the airline. However you should add it to the list of specified items as like you do for other possessions over a certain value as required by the travel insurance company.

Q: I am an architect working on a project to design a home for a person with quadriplegia. Can you provide me with the details of some resources to help with specific dimensions to facilitate access in and around the home?

A: As your project involves designing a private home you do not have to comply with Australian Standards AS 1428 parts 1 and 2 but they are a good start for setting out dimensions and gradients etc to provide access. The standards are available from SAI Global or call 13 1242.

We have resources in our library which can help in the design of bathrooms and kitchens as well as other parts of a home. These include: Guide to Planning Bathrooms and Kitchens which is available on CD and is available from the Independent Living Centre NSW (CLICK HERE for details or call 1300 885 886); and Welcome: Design Ideas for Accessible Homes which covers accessible design for all rooms of a house and goes above and beyond the standards. The book is available from Building Commission Victoria, PO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001. CLICK HERE for more information or call 03 9285 6400.

Checklists can also be useful to make sure that as many accessible design features as possible are incorporated in your plans. Two examples of access checklists that we have found are: Development Control Plan: Design for Accessibility by the NSW Mid-western Regional Council (CLICK HERE to download) and the Access Resource Kit  by the Disability Services Commission of Western Australia (CLICK HERE to download).  

Q: My brother was recently injured in a diving accident and he's been told that he has incomplete C6/7 spinal cord injury. What does that mean?

A: A spinal cord injury (SCI) is described according to its location and whether the damage to the cord is through the entire width or only part of it. So "incomplete C6/7" means that the cord is damaged between the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae, and the nerves in the cord have not been completely severed.

C6/7 is in the cervical section of the spine. Injury there results in quadriplegia, meaning that all four limbs will have some type of paralysis. Spinal cord damage at C6/7 should still enable good functionality of the arms but would usually affect fine finger movement.

However the functional effects of an incomplete injury can be anything from much the same as a complete injury at that level down to no lasting impairment at all, or anything in between. Because the swelling that occurs in the cord at the time of injury settles during the next 6–8 weeks, the extent of neurological damage is not immediately fully known.

In 2005/6 out of 284 people in Australia who sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury, only 11 had no lasting neurological damage.

The American Paralyzed Veterans Association has a set of guides describing outcomes of various levels of SCI. Each provides individual guidance on what people with different levels of SCI can reasonably expect to do one year after injury; what help will be needed with daily life tasks at home, at work, and in the community; and what equipment can help make a person with SCI more independent. You will find them @ www.pva.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8093.

Q: I am planning an around Australia trip. Is my local mobility parking authority (MPA) recognised in all Australian States and Territories? Also, how would I organise an MPA for other countries if I was planning to travel overseas?

A: The brochure Disabled Persons Parking Schemes in Australia is available from VicRoads. It contains information on the MPAs for each Australian State and Territory and where they can be used. It also contains the relevant information for interstate and overseas visitors.

A permit issued in one State or Territory may be used in all States, subject to local regulations being followed in each jurisdiction.

However you must make sure your permit will not expire when travelling and display it on the windscreen.

The information contained in the brochure provides only a summary of the disability parking concessions available. Therefore it is essential that you check with the relevant authorities mentioned to avoid any breaches of parking laws. Some State capital cities offer special parking permits to people with disabilities who work in the central business district or in their municipality.

MPAs for people travelling overseas

SCInfo does not have the resources to obtain the information on MPAs for every country and their states and regions. People with disabilities who are planning to use a motor vehicle are advised to seek a letter of authority, in both English and the language of the country, from the Embassies in Australia of each country you are planning to visit. The letter would be displayed alongside your current Australian MPA in the windscreen.

However, SCInfo has been informed that it has become increasingly difficult to obtain these letters from the Embassies. Some have been reluctant and have required some persuasion; some have totally refused.

Q. I'm planning to take a domestic flight within Australia. A friend has told me the cables will need to be disconnected from the battery terminals of my electric wheelchair before it is taken on to the aircraft. Why is this required and who is responsible for the disconnection, and  who'll pit them back when I get to my destination?

A. The disconnection of the cables from the battery terminals is required by the airlines as a safety precaution to prevent any short circuit in transit, which could cause a fire. Another reason is they fear that the chair might be started accidentally also causing a fire hazard.

However the various airlines have different policies and procedures depending on the type of batteries eg sealed gel batteries, lead acid batteries etc. It would be better to be proactive and inform the airline of the type of batteries your wheelchair has and ask what is required to be done and who is to do it. Some airlines will only assist with direct instructions from the wheelchair owner or his or her acquaintance―so the onus is on you to understand how to access the batteries to disconnect and reconnect the cables.

Virgin Blue provides comprehensive information on its procedures for wheelchair and scooter batteries. See  www.virginblue.com.au/info/mobility_airport.php

Although Qantas provides travel information for passengers with a disability at www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/specialNeeds/mobilityAssistance it only offers a simple explanation that the batteries may need to be disconnected. Further information on procedures for wheelchair and scooter batteries can be obtained by calling Qantas on 131 313.

Q: I've been offered a place in a clinical trial of a possible improvement of my level of function after SCI. How can I judge whether to go into it?

A: You need to be properly informed about the possible risks and potential benefits of the trial.

A checklist has been developed with the support of the International Campaign for Cures for spinal cord injury Paralysis (ICCP; www.campaignforcure.org as part of an ongoing initiative to ensure people are well informed about the risks and potential consequences of any new treatment.

The checklist has questions that potential participants should ask before agreeing to go into experimental treatments, and gives answers that should be given by the team conducting the trial. The questions include areas relating to safety, possible benefits; preclinical evidence; the clinical trial protocol; participation in other trials; payments and costs; and independent assessment of the treatment and investigator.

Click here to download the document.

Q: I want to take a trip from Sydney as far north as Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and can only travel up to 300 km before needing to stop and spend the night. Can you provide me with a list of accessible accommodation at various points along the way, say around Forster, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and finally the Sunshine Coast?

 A: Yes, we can provide a list of accessible accommodation according to various criteria including whether you require accommodation which is: in the central business district or within a certain radius of a state or territory capital; in or near a specific town; and self-contained, hotel/motel or youth hostel-style accommodation. We always recommend that you contact the accommodation prior to booking and speak to someone who knows the features of the accessible accommodation and other facilities such as the reception area, restaurant, parking etc so that you can be sure your needs will be met. 

We can provide the information in whatever form you need—email, fax, in the mail.

Q: My relative has sustained a spinal cord injury and at the moment he is still in hospital. He won’t get any compensation for his accident. I’d like to raise funds so his home can be made accessible and to buy a car for him as his family can’t afford to do it themselves.

What is the best way to do this? Can people who contribute to my appeal use their donations as tax deductions?

A: A Tax Office ruling sets out situations where tax deductible donations can be made to people in “necessitous circumstances”. CLICK HERE to view the full document. It gives examples of such circumstances which includes the scenario of Geoff, who is 17 years old and was permanently incapacitated while playing football. It also outlines what formal requirements there are to document the charity.

SCInfo recommends that you discuss with a solicitor or accountant about what structure you need to set up to proceed with this.

Activities that might raise funds include approaching friends/family directly, and running events in the local areas where your relative is known … any sporting club he is involved with, his school, church or other community group. Also approach the local hotels to see if they will host a trivia night or other activity—a raffle, sausage sizzle etc.

Q: Are there any courses I can attend to enable me to become an Access Auditor?

A: People working as access consultants generally have occupational therapy, architecture, building or engineering qualifications; or in some cases have used their own experiences as a person with a disability. Their professional ability has been developed by further study of the relevant legislation, codes and standards, rather than by completing any specifically designed access course.

In 2005 National Competency Standards were developed to address 10 specific areas related to access requirements and including how to construct access audits, report writing etc.

The Independent Living Centre of New South Wales offers a Professional Certificate in Accessible Buildings in association with the Master Builders Association of NSW and the Building Designers Association of NSW. The training is based on three competencies from the Access Consulting section of the Property Development and Management Training Package:

  • Apply disability awareness to assessing access situations.
  • Assess construction plans
  • Apply building codes and standards to accessible large scale buildings

See www.ilcnsw.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=226&Itemid=135

Q: I have quadriplegia and haven’t exercised since being in rehab. Can you suggest where I can hire or buy exercise equipment and how I can improve my fitness?

A: For exercise equipment you can contact Exercise Australia in Sydney 1800 628 824 www.exerciseaustralia.com (search for "wheelchair") or Achievable Concepts in Melbourne 03 9370 0217 www.achievableconcepts.com.au.

If you live in Sydney there is an exercise program called Burn Rubber Burn for people with spinal cord injuries held at the Prince of Wales Hospital spinal unit gymnasium. For more information contact Simone Robinson 02 9382 5623. It is intended that the Burn Rubber Burn program will be made available in NSW through Police & Community Youth Clubs (PCYC) gyms in due course.

Take a look at www.physiotherapyexercises.com where you find instructions on how do do various strengthening and range of motion exercises.  The manual is divided into sections targeted at different injury levels.  They are intended to be implemented in consultation with a physiotherapist to establish the best regime for you.

Some time ago we reprinted some articles on exercise in our magazine, just contact SCInfo for a copy.

Q: I need to have my car repaired and can't afford it. Is there any subsidy for people with disabilities for this type of expense?

A: There is no direct funding for one-off expenses such as purchasing household items, car repair etc. However there are some possibilities for assistance:

Centrelink pensioners can get an advance payment of their benefit. This is recovered, interest-free, from their payments over the next 13 fortnights. An advance payment can only be paid once in any 12 month period. However, the advance can be paid in two separate instalments.

No-interest loans are available from a number of community groups and charities. The loans are generally for amounts of $600–$1000 for such items as a washing machine, fridge or medical appliance. Loans are repaid over 12–15 months. For more information and to locate a NILS program in your area go to:

Q: I can't find a wheelchair sold in Australia that's right for me. There is one sold by a company overseas that doesn't have an agent in Australia. Will I have to pay import duty and GST if I bring it in myself?

A: Products that are made solely for people with disabilities are duty and GST free.

In this particular instance, Schedule 3 of the Customs Tarriff Act 1995 lists types of products and the amount of tarriff that applies. Section 17 Chapter 87/1 R - 8713 specifies the exemption for "Carriages for disabled persons, whether or not motorised or otherwise mechanically propelled".

GST is not levied on certain medical aids and appliances. The list is in Schedule 3 of the GST Act, and includes a wide range of products, from wheelchairs to continence equipment, specialist switches to page turners. The list is found @ www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5350.

Spare parts are also exempt.

However generic equipment and parts are not exempt. For example, a wheelchair battery that can also be used in a golf cart; a computer or an air conditioner, even though you might need them due to your disability.

The exception to this - there always is one - is the GST exemption for a car that a person with a mobility disability uses to get to and from work. Spare parts are also GST free. But remember, your mechanic's labour charge is not GST free. And you have to have your application for the exemption approved before you buy. Click here for information on how to apply.

And don't pay for anything before you know that GST isn't being charged ... you won't get a refund.

Q: I'm a university student and am conducting a literature review on spinal cord injury and return to work. I am particularly interested in legislation on this issue. Can you provide me with any information on this topic?

A: The recent introduction of the Federal Government's Welfare to Work initiative which incorporates changes to the Disability Support Pension and Newstart Allowance is relevant to your inquiry.

You can read about the impact of the changes on the internet and in these extracts from the Winter 2005 and Autumn 2006 issues of our Accord magazine.

There is also the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and FAQs about the DDA and employment, both available from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's website www.hreoc.gov.au under 'Disability rights'.

Most spinal cord injury manuals/handbooks contain a section on return to work (eg www.health.qld.gov.au/qscis/info_handbook.asp 'Chapter 4 Returning to the Community') and we have the following two articles in our library which may be of interest:

Return to work after spinal cord injury Crisp, Ross Journal of Rehabilitation January/February/March, 1990

Work, non‑work and consequent satisfaction after spinal cord injury Ville, I.; Ravaud, J‑F. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research vol. 19 no. 3, September 1996

Q: Due to my spinal cord injury I can't use a pen to make a signature. What can I do to authorise contracts and other documents?

A: The current practice at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital Spinal Injuries Unit for people in your position is to arrange for a a Power of Attorney to be made. The Power of Attorney document is witnessed by a solicitor and must be presented when a signed authorisation is needed.

This Hot Topic is under review.

Q: I receive the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and have been studying since 2003 at university in a four-year degree. To complete my degree I am required to do a 12 month overseas study component. Centrelink says I won't be able to keep getting the DSP. What can I do? Is there a way I can still receive the DSP while I'm away?

A: DSP recipients can only be out of Australia for 13 weeks at a time without it being stopped.

However it may be possible for you to be paid for a longer period if you are travelling to a country with which Australia has a social security agreement. But this is usually possible only for people who have, in Centrelink-speak, 'a severe disability'.

Further information is available from Centrelink Disability Services phone: 132717 or download its Are You Leaving Australia? factsheet. The factsheet outlines general rules for each of the different payment types. There may be other factors specific to individual circumstances that may affect the payment of a pension or allowance outside Australia.

The situation is different for full-time students who receive Austudy. The 13 week rule applies for a temporary absence as long as the person remains enrolled as a student (eg during holidays and semester breaks). But it can be for a longer period if the trip is for study as part of a full-time Australian course.

That anomaly has an inequitable impact on full-time students who receive the DSP and who are required to study overseas to complete their course.

Q: I live in NSW and use the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS). Can I use my TTSS vouchers to get a reduced fare when I'm visiting another State?

A: The NSW TTSS has reciprocal arrangements with taxi subsidy schemes in the other States and Territories. However the TTSS vouchers can't be used there and eligible people are required to apply for the reciprocal subsidy vouchers from the NSW Ministry of Transport. The reciprocal TTSS vouchers provide the same subsidy: 50% of the metered fare, to a maximum $30 per trip.

Don't wait too long to get your application in. It can take 14 days to be processed.

People outside NSW can do likewise with their home schemes.

For further information and the interstate taxi voucher application form go to www.transport.nsw.gov.au/concess_grants/ttss.html or contact the NSW TTSS on 1800 623 724.

Q: I have quadriplegia and get the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) $470 per annum for my supplies. But that's doesn't cover all that I need in the year. Are there any other continence equipment programs and services I can use to supplement CAAS?

A: As you say, CAAS (funded by the Federal Government) currently provides $470 each financial year to eligible people. And that can easily run short of the year's supply.

But don't despair. A number of state and territory government equipment programs also provide continence supplies. The eligibility requirements may vary, as will the types and variety of continence equipment. The programs include:

  • QLD: Medical Aids Supplies Service (MASS)
  • VIC: Aids and Equipment Program (A&EP)
  • ACT: ACT Equipment Scheme
  • WA: Continence Management and Support Scheme
  • NSW:  Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP). The PADP Policy requires eligible people to spend a total of the CAAS funding prior to applying for PADP. However, due to the limited type and variety of continence equipment provided by PADP, it is better for the consumer to obtain the continence supplies available from PADP and utilise the CAAS money for other continence supplies not available from PADP.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides people with spinal cord injuries with a variety of free continence products. To be eligible to receive these items people must become members of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association in their State. PBS Information Line: 1800 020 613

Some continence supplies can also be obtained from pharmacies on a doctor's prescription.

Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS): Intouch www.intouchcall.com.au; 1300 366 455 (operated by the Spinal Injuries Association) has the national contract CAAS. Information about the scheme is also available on this page of the federal Department of Health and Ageing website.

For further information:

Continence Foundation of Australia 
National Continence Helpline. 1800 33 00 66 for free professional advice

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