NDIA Accountability Project

Delays in equipment access impacting family wellbeing

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: Friday, 18 January 2013 12:09:12 AM

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 have to wait to see a therapist then wait for them to lodge the application then wait for approval then save, put in submissions and or take out loans to pay the gap in funding for a piece of equipment our son needs there and then not a year or so down the track. Even when we have started to ask for equipment in anticipation of his needs we are made to wait till it it necessary before an application for the equipment can be made. This means our son waited nearly 18 months for a wheelchair and we cant get a second toilet chair to have at a place we go regularly, so we need to take two cars so we can take his toilet chair from home or he has to wet himself. It makes trying to be a normal family really difficult and leaves us feeling second class

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • Removal of age barriers to services for children,
  • 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,
  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Support for families and carers

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

As a parent of a disabled teenager I worry about the future and how my son will get all the equipment and physical help he needs, not just as we age but if we get sick in the short term too. We need the right type of help now so we can be prepared and our son can be reassured.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Aileen Shearer-Cox