Submission No 87
INQUIRY INTO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME AND THE PROVISION OF DISABILITY SERVICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES
Name: Name suppressed Date Received: 9 July 2018
Partially Confidential
To date my experience of the NDIS as a parent of a 22 yr old daughter with a disability has been mainly positive but I am reserving judgement as I have recently submitted a request for a review. Without exception everyone I know has received less funding in year 2 than we received with our initial plan. This was due to the fact that we and everyone I know were unable to spend the full 100% of their plan due to the service providers being unable to meet the demand for services due to the inability to secure staff to meet the demand.
It was a steep learning curve for families as well as service providers. We were told we would not be penalised for being unable to spend 100% of our budget but of course we were penalised as the plans were almost to the dollar the same amount less what was unspent from year 1.
I have submitted a review for short term overnight accommodation (what was called in the old ADHAC days - respite care). I believe that my daughter who is 22 and who never accessed the old ‘respite care’ as a child, primarily because she only just stopped sleeping in our bedroom, is more than entitled to short term overnight accommodation. She thoroughly enjoys the experience and it provides a necessary break from her family and gives her a newfound sense of independence.
Given that is a goal of hers to live in a ‘supported independent living’ environment of her choice within the next 5 yrs, it makes sense that she access short term overnight accommodation to improve her independence and prepare her to separate from us. Choice and control needs to be more than just a catchphrase!
To date, I have not received any written or email confirmation from the NDIS that they have received my request and that they are actioning it and I should expect a response within a certain period of time. This is unacceptable, I should receive notification that my request will be actioned within a certain time frame and that I will be given the opportunity to discuss my review with an NDIS planner over the phone or in person. The response to my request for a funding review based on my submission will greatly influence my level of satisfaction with the NDIS.
Should I have to fight tooth and nail for what I consider my daughter is duly entitled to, I will be very very unhappy and will certainly be letting the NDIS know about this.