According to Human Rights Watch, an estimated one billion individuals have some kind of disability. Many of them live in developing countries where they experience challenges when it comes to accessing education, healthcare, and other basic needs.
However, people with disabilities living in developed countries have dedicated organizations that help them adapt to the community they live in. In addition to the laws established by the government, these organizations play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of people with disabilities.
Dr. Heena Sinha has dedicated the better part of her professional life to caring for others. As a dental student graduate and later attaining a Master’s degree in Public Health, she has worked with several organizations that are dedicated to helping people. She considers her time with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as the most impactful phase, fueling her passion for helping people with disabilities lead healthy and secure lives.
The NDIS is operated by an agency of the same name in Australia that helps give a better life to people with disabilities and in supporting families to care for their loved ones. This scheme was established as a progressive approach to support people with disabilities. The idea is for the government to empower people with disabilities and help them live independent and fulfilling lives.
Dr. Sinha was offered a position to work with NDIS in 2017. During her tenure, she had the opportunity to connect with various NDIS participants as well as their families. As the Local Area Coordinator (LAC), her job was to report back to the Area Manager while also playing a crucial role in providing support to the management team. One of the team’s main responsibilities was to maintain high standards when it came to delivering services to those with disabilities.
To achieve this, Dr. Sinha collaborated with communities and mainstream services to raise awareness while also introducing inclusivity toward the many needs of individuals with disabilities.
During her tenure as the Health and Safety Representative for Inner East Melbourne, Dr. Sinha assumed responsibility for ensuring a secure and conducive work environment for the NDIS team, thereby supporting the well-being and safety of all employees within the organization.
One of her major responsibilities was investigating incident reports and participating in hazard inspections of the disabled individuals who were a part of the NDIS. If the need arose, she would consult with the staff members and managers before implementing the Occupational Health and Safety plan.
Dr. Sinha claims that working with NDIS was extremely rewarding. Not only did she have the chance to witness the positive impact the scheme has made in the lives of people with disabilities, but she was also able to experience the positive impact she had a hand in when it came to these people. It was common to hear some inspiring story that would only fuel the fire within her.
Dr. Sinha’s dedication and understanding of people with disabilities has had a positive impact on all the different organizations she has worked with. By connecting with communities, raising awareness, and ensuring a safe work environment, Dr. Sinha has played a crucial role in empowering people with disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives.To read more about Dr. Sinha’s time with the NDIS, visit her LinkedIn.
