A new community project, LifeRAT, has launched to address the barriers people living with disability face getting easy access to Covid Rapid Antigen Tests.
The initiative, led by disability advocate and Queensland Australian of the Year 2021, Dr Dinesh Palipana, provides online access to free rapid antigen tests for people with a disability, delivered directly to the door.
“For a number of reasons, the PwD community has lacked necessary access to rapid antigen tests, which is proving to be a huge problem,” Dr Palipana said. “Rapid Antigen Tests are crucial for people with a disability and allows them efficient access to carers, provides those who are high risk with a greater means of staying safe, and importantly allows them to simply continue living their lives.”
He said the project provides a realistic solution, by raising funds and distributing free tests to people living with a disability throughout Australia, including those in regional and rural communities.
It has been made possible through the joint effort of multiple organisations including Able Digital Wellness, Bump’n, Australia Post, Lovehoney Australia and Mainfreight. Those who are in a position to make a donation, can do so online, with all funds raised going towards delivering the kits.
For those with a disability, the online landing page provides a registration form, where RAT kits will be shipped in order of registration, to help overcome accessibility issues interfering with their daily lives.
Felice Vaiani, who lives in Melbourne and has cerebral palsy, was one of the first to receive a free RAT kit through LifeRAT.
“Having access to free RATs is critically important for people with disabilities for their own health, but also that of their support workers. If a worker has Covid symptoms a quick result is needed. Many of us rely on a trusted team and the safety of all personnel is crucial. Please consider the health of all community members, not only those with the financial means to purchase RATs,” she said.
To donate to LifeRAT, register for a RAT kit or find out more, visit: www.liferat.com.au