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: Friday, 21 December 2012 8:25:56 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.

Being in a small country town there are very little facilities available, even parking spaces are limited. For example the Big W store which is packed at this time of the year has 1 space, just 1! There are over 12000 residents and 50% are elderly or incapacitated so you can imagine how disheartening it is to have to walk such long distances because of lack of suitable car spaces in the main street and at the larger stores. We have no bus service to speak of at all and the taxi service only has three cabs that can take wheelchairs, it is just not acceptable. As for services for home help or health visits it is a joke. I depend on my husband for everything, for this he receives a poor $80 a fortnight to supplement his finances, just not good enough.

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,
• 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:

• Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
• In-home care and domestic assistance,
• Crisis and emergency support,
• Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Any improvement is welcome over what is available now.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Helen Bedford