For 25-year-old Yatish Haveri, a move to Australia brought both opportunities and challenges in dealing with his cerebral palsy. 

A quadriplegic, he gets around in his trusty wheelchair and uses a communication device to chat with the world. 

He’s studying Micro Business Management and Operations at TAFE, is active in Scouts and is about to start playing wheelchair football. 

‘I’m thrilled at the chance to join a team soon— it’s going to be an epic next step,’ Yatish says. 

When Yatish moved to Australia at the age of nine, he wasn’t eligible for Medicare and disability support because of the family’s residency status. 

Luckily, the special school he attended in Melbourne provided direct access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology onsite. 

‘These resources played a pivotal role in building my strength and skills during those formative years.’ 

As a young adult, and at the time ineligible for NDIS funding, Yatish opted to transition to adult services through the St Vincent’s Young Adult Complex Disability Services (YACDS), a transition program based at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne that helps young adults move from paediatric to adult healthcare. 

The YACDS provides multidisciplinary support and services including assessment, referrals, goal-directed therapy and equipment assessment, support and advice. 

The YACDS also assists young adults in finding and accessing local adult healthcare and disability services. 

Yatish Haveri says for allied health professionals working with people with disabilities, team work is essential.

‘My situation was unique because I had not transitioned into NDIS and had completely relied on school earlier for most of my care. 

‘This program offered comprehensive support and care tailored to my needs, ensuring continuity in my health management.’ 

Yatish has since gained his permanent residency and, with the help of the YACDS, has been able to access the NDIS but he continues to rely on the service for support—for example, management of his baclofen pump and finding therapists for his disability care, including regular hydrotherapy and exercise programs. 

‘After transitioning to NDIS, it has been very challenging to find the right allied health professionals to help with my requirements. 

‘It has been difficult to find the right physiotherapist, who understands my needs.’ 

Yatish says that difficulties in accessing support have extended to the support provided in educational institutions like universities and TAFE for people with big physical challenges. 

‘Sadly, my time at TAFE showed some real gaps. 

‘The teachers were pretty good at handling disabilities but there weren’t enough tweaks to the courses, which threw up barriers that extra resources and smarter planning could have fixed easily. 

I also really want that smooth teamwork with physios, OTs and speechies, like we had back in school, to make learning feel truly inclusive.’ 

He has a few tips for physiotherapists and other allied health professionals working with adults with complex disabilities. 

‘First of all, with an adult, it is unrealistic to expect the family to help with things like exercises and not all support workers can be trained.’ Yatish also stresses that allied health professionals need to work together and communicate well with each other to provide the comprehensive care a person living with a complex disability needs. 

‘Work as a team with other allied health professionals—it makes a real difference. 

‘After all, you’re all working on the same puzzle: me.’