Written by Andrew Fairbairn (PDA Vice President/WA Director)
Previously I shared my Assistive Technology Home Modifications journey. This is an update, Part Two, if you will.
I engaged the services of an Occupational Therapist who has lots of experience in delivering comprehensive and high-quality Complex Home Modification, (CHM) assessments. She is very good at her work and the finished AT CHM document is a sight to behold. 40 pages of photos, recommendations and justifications for what I need. Very professional work.
From here I engaged the services of a Project Manager, (PM) to oversee the implementation of the CHM. His role was to do develop a scope of works (SOW), do all the plans, drawings, site layout, Local Government approvals and to put the job out to tender to building companies.
I have been allocated a specific NDIA person to monitor the progress of the application and so far, she has been outstanding.
So, where are we now as of 12 May 2020?
The SOW went out from my PM and he only got one builder from the five reply with a quote. The quote didn’t have the ramps I need, or the opening up of access to the master bedroom. I have just finished a walk through with the builder and had to explain to him what I actually required. The quote is now null and void, as it wasn’t inclusive of the above.
I emailed the PM to ask why only one builder had quoted. He said it was because of the housing boom in Perth and that they obviously had a lot of work and weren’t taking on anymore. I can accept that. I understand that.
BUT…….if I am in my chair, my CHM is life or death. If there is a fire in the house, I can’t get out. I can’t get to the toilet and I can’t have a shower as is currently the case.
This is not a problem that is going away anytime soon. I need the work done, but there is no one to do it. What can I do, except wait?
Finally, my NDIS plan is self-managed and have complete control of all my NDIS funding. Nothing will be done in my home that I don’t want, and I will be strong in my self advocacy to make sure that I get what I need.
Stay tuned for AT CHM Part Three. What does the One-Legged Sax Player do when he doesn’t get what he needs?
