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

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 7:24:03 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.

As the sister of a young person with a profound disability, I have grown up watching my family sort through broken and non-existent disability services looking for supports for my brother. As my brother gets older, it becomes more obvious that the supports and services he will need into the future currently do not exist. We cannot access services in a timely manner. We are on a waiting list that seems to have no end and as a result cannot obtain any funding to utilise services that do exist. My brother deserves to participate in his local community and this is not possible without funding and support.

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

• Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
• People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered,
• Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Recreation and community access,
• Support for families and carers,
• Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

It is my strong belief that people with a disability deserve to be treated as first class citizens. Families of people with a disability need to know that their loved one will be supported and valued in the community into the future. We cannot stand by any longer and wait.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Ms Gemma Holleran