They got hundreds of commuters at Seven Hills and Penrith stations to sign up to the Every Australian Counts campaign to support about 300,000 Australians with a severe disability.

Ability Options, based at Seven Hills, is one of the organisations that campaigned at 15 railway, bus and ferry stations across Sydney.

Ability Options also co-hosted the Every Australian Counts Roadshow at the Penrith RSL Club that discussed the Productivity Commission’s draft report into current disability support, how an insurance scheme might work and how to support its implementation.

Ability Options chief executive Matt Donnelly said most people were unaware of the inflexibility, lack of funding and individualised support

in the current disability system.

“There is a myth that if you have a severe disability, you and your family’s individual needs will be looked after,” he said.

“In reality if you are born with a severe disability there is no guarantee

of lifetime care and support to meet your most fundamental needs.’’ Daniel Kyriacou, NSW Every Australian Counts co-ordinator, said they hoped to convince Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbott to support the introduction of such a scheme.

“Basic supports like wheelchairs, aids for the home, early intervention

support and out-of-home care are not funded or have long waiting lists,’’ he said.