First Nations people in remote areas miss out on disability services due to lack of support, inquiry hears

Experts want the National Disability Insurance Scheme and agency to work with First Nations people to improve their access to disability services. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Indigenous people in remote and regional areas are frequently missing out on disability services they are entitled to due to an absence of support and knowledge, while others are afraid to ask for help out of fear their children will be removed, the disability royal commission has heard.

The royal commission on Thursday heard scathing testimony about a lack of meaningful engagement with First Nations disability service providers and “tokenistic” measures.