NDIA Accountability Project

Need for equitable access to respite and support services

Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 5:31:35 PM

Please consider this email a formal submission by me to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012.

The current disability system has many problems that need to be addressed.

We see many people who would benefit greatly from in home and out of home respite, folks living with aging parents who are stuck in accepting govt funded services which do not necessarily meet their interest or need and are only offered in the 8:30am till 3pm time slots which perpetuate the eternal child role of school as opposed to meeting more creative options. It will be of enormous assistance to allow people to gain better access to the wider range of services, support options and type and to ensure that there is a level of equity based on need Some folks who are able to access the service system more easily than others can often be over serviced whilst others do not receive the very basic level of support they require.

Folks left waiting on the disability needs register for lengthy periods of time in some case years and then having to accept what is offered rather than what is needed/wanted.

The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:

  • More opportunities to participate in the community,
  • People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Life-skills,
  • Recreation and community access,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Equity, transparency and the inclusion of people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of their community.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Executive Officer Florence Davidson