NDIA Accountability Project

Navigating multiple diagnoses and accessing support for a child

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 8:21:20 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.

I am a single parent of 4 children the youngest with 5 sets of diagnosis - I run between dr’s , therapists, specialists and explaining situations filling out forms and asking for help from endless bodies- however it seems I get one set of form s done & in - appointment set , but have to go for more forms and more red tape- to prove a disability repeatedly each time. A centralized personalized system would actually be so much more useful - and it would be fantastic to talk to someone who can actually give decent guidance and advice. The current system left me waiting for my child to be ’old enough ’to be then considered disabled and therefore ‘bad enough’ to get assistance for- that wait took 5 years and by then he had missed out on therapy thr would have helped him earlier on, and left me managing private therapy, working full time , carin full Time and battling systems that don’t work together.

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

  • People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
  • Removal of age barriers to services for children

Most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

One scheme, nationally , one place to go to not 15 and constant re explanation of yourself . Support to those who genuinely need it - and hopefully a streamlined process that will Mean I can get services support case management and hopefully help and assistance when it’s needed.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Tracey Brown