Winter recess – time to see the pollies again: message from David Pearce OAM

Greetings,

You may remember me? I’m David Pearce, a Tasmanian campaigner for the NDIS.

Living with Cerebral Palsy Quadriplegia has not prevented me from being a serving Alderman on the Glenorchy City Council, or the current President of Advocacy Tasmania.

Earlier this year, I was proud to speak at the NDIS: Make it Real Rally in Hobart.

Last year, I participated in a video with my local Federal MP Andrew Wilkie MP where I demonstrated just how easy it is to lobby your Federal MP about the need for the NDIS.

It is really important that we keep lobbying our MPs about the NDIS. Most MPs will be back in their electorate for the next five weeks so make sure you go and see them.

Over 30 MPs are yet to ‘Counted in’ – you can check who is in and who is out here – http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/federal_mp_gallery/

 We need to lock in the NDIS for good. Until we get the NDIS in place, things won’t change. We will still have the same broken system.

In recent weeks I have experienced what I would personally described as discrimination and intimidation!

As a person living with, a disability I am dependent upon my service provider to provide every aspect of my personal support requirements.

Lately, that organisation has been threatening to withdraw some service provision based on “unavailability of staff” and “industrial regulations”

My recent experience highlights the urgent need for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, that places Australians living with disability and their family’s right in the centre of service provision so that we can take control of our own lives and become active and equal citizens of the communities in which we live, work and volunteer

Much has been achieved, but there is still much more to be done!

I call upon the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and every Member of the Australian Parliament as well as Members of State and Territory Parliaments to support the NDIS and “Make Every Australian Count”.

Will you do the same?

David Pearce OAM

President – Advocacy Tasmania

Alderman – Glenorchy City Council