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Assistance Program Helps Brain Injured Tasmanians

A program developed by the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania (BIAT) to assist people who have an acquired brain injury has been improved with the help of Tasmania Police.

Tasmanians with an acquired brain injury (ABI) who are registered with BIAT carry an identification card.  It includes a photo, some personal details, and identifies areas where the person may experience difficulties, for example with speech and/or memory, and provides a nominated contact number.

The ID cards now include the Tasmania Police Assistance Line phone number  131 444  which will help Tasmania Police and the community to assist when people with an acquired brain injury are experiencing difficulty or their behaviour is causing concern.

“Acquired brain injury is sometimes known as the ‘invisible’ or ‘hidden’ disability as its long term problems are usually in the areas of thinking and behaviour and are not as easy to see or recognise as many physical disabilities,” said the Executive Officer of BIAT Deborah Byrne. 

“As a consequence, the difficulties people with ABI face in the community are often misunderstood.

“The partnership with Tasmania Police provides many positives including a greater level of support for people with an ABI in their community, peace of mind for family members, and enhanced community awareness of brain injury.”

Inspector Michael Grant, Officer in Charge of Tasmania Police Radio Dispatch Services, says the need for the program highlights the often repeated road safety messages provided by Tasmania Police.

“The links between road crashes and acquired brain injury are obvious and serve as a reminder to drive safely,” said Inspector Grant.

(31 Dec 2008)