By NICHOLAS BARLOW
Young people with a disability will get access to expensive equipment, under a new service launched by the ACT Government.
The Children and Young People’s Equipment Loan Service will allow families to gain access to expensive equipment and let them try it before buying .
Community Services Minister Katy Gallagher has signed a deal that will bring an additional 780 pieces of equipment aids to Canberra, ranging from hoists to bathing equipment and adjustable beds.
The equipment will help children up to the age of 16 gain greater mobility and in some cases help them communicate better with parents and carers.
Ms Gallagher said the Government was committed to helping local families caring for a disabled child.
“The right equipment makes a big difference for children and young people with a disability,” Ms Gallagher said in a statement released today (9 September 2009).
“It can help children develop physically and prevent the development of further problems.
“It can also help children participate in family activities, get out and about in the community and communicate with others.”
The majority of the children who will be helped are clients of Therapy ACT, a government organisation who provides both counselling and treatment services to Canberra residents.
Therapy ACT Senior Manager Roslyn Hayes believes this service will dramatically improve the lives of many children in the city.
She expects to see a large amount of interest in the equipment.
“At the moment I would say about 200 of the 3000 children we are involved with will be borrowing items from the loan pool,” Ms Hayes said. “The overall plan is to loan out these items for periods of about six months, while families wait for their own personal pieces of equipment to arrive, which can be quite time consuming.”
Hayes said ACT Health helps families buy their own equipment by providing subsidies.
