Simran Kaur. Photo courtesy of The Age.

Simran Kaur has a master’s degree in social work and specializes in care for the aged, a skill that is desperately needed in Australia where the population aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2050.

However, Kaur was in threat of being deported to India because Australia has regulations that ban disabled immigrants over concerns they will be a financial burden, according to this article in The Age. Kaur has a degenerative disorder and is legally blind, the article said.

Kaur recently won a two-year fight to stay in Australia, where her husband, daughter, mother and other relatives live. However, Australia continues to have such regulations on the books, although some experts say they are outdated.

”They’re based on the premise that if a disability is going to potentially cost money then we shouldn’t admit the person. If I were seeking as a law professor to come here, I wouldn’t be allowed in,” said Professor Ron McCallum, chairman of Vision Australia’s board.

”The tribunal should be allowed to weigh the cost against what that person or their family can contribute.”