NDIA Accountability Project

Challenges for students with disabilities and their families

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 9:34:00 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.

Whilst I am not directly affected myself by the current disability system, as a Primary School teacher I am very aware of the complications faced by young people with disabilities. In my experience these can include: transport to and from school of children in wheelchairs (often transport has to be provided by a parent - drop-off and pick-up times restricting the hours the parent can work); opportunities for social and physical activities outside of school (i.e. where children without a disability can choose to play a sport or take a dance, music or art class after school, many activities are inflexible in being able to cater for students with a disability); provision of greater funding/resources in schools so that teachers can better cater to the needs of students with a disability in their class - for example: personal computers or speaking/listening/typing devices, specialist furniture and software, professional development for teachers to educate us in better understandin g the needs of individuals in our care.

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

  • More opportunities to participate in the community,
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
  • Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Employment support,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Accommodation options

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because every Australian knows someone with a disability and every Australian deserves the right to live their life comfortably and pursue their personal aspirations whilst being supported - rather than alienated - by a well funded national disability system which works to make their lives (and the lives of their families) easier.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Miss Carla Murray