Vic: Vic govt to put $30.2 million for disability equipment

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2007
Vic: Vic govt to put $30.2 million for disability equipment

MELBOURNE, April 26 AAP - The Victorian government has allocated $30.2 million in next
year's budget to provide aids and equipment for people with disabilities.

Premier Steve Bracks announced the funding today at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital,
where 459 children are on a waiting list for equipment appropriate to their disability.

"The package will include a significant amount of money for new aids and equipment,
including here at this hospital $400,000 to get rid of - completely - any waiting list
for aids and equipment," Mr Bracks said today.

The funding, over four years, will also pay for equipment and home modification for
about 15,000 people with a disability across Victoria.

The modification scheme will be extended to cover car modifications for the first time.

Rosslyn Pickhaver, of the Disabled Motorist Association, has praised the move.

"It's a very big breakthrough for us," she told reporters today.

She said it cost several thousand dollars to modify a car to replace its foot pedals
with hand levers, and this could now be funded by the government.

Victoria's 2007-08 budget will be handed down on Tuesday.

AAP dr/dl/gfr/cjh/cdh

KEYWORD: BUDGET VIC

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