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, 18 January 2013 10:53:30 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.

I work as a Deaf counsellor and yoga instructor for past 14 and 8 years respectively…some deaf clients come to me for counselling and individual/class yoga and they pay me from their own pocket. I reduce fee for them as $90.00 per hour is too much. Clients should have a choice to pick which counselling services they wish to attend. I provide counselling in Auslan. Only one or two private businesses in Melbourne provide counselling in Auslan. Others e.g Victorian Deaf Society(vicdeaf) use interpreters which some deaf clients prefer not to use as they want privacy and one to one counselling sessions with their counsellor or psychologist. Some feel awkward that interpeters know their intimate issues. Vicdeaf counsellor uses interpreter and her specalised is psychoanalysis which doesnt suit some deaf clients. Some deaf clients need couple counselling services or family therapy ..I provide this services but clients to pay full fee whilst Vicdeaf services provide free therapy.

The 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, More rights for people with a disability,
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Life-skills,
• Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS. Gives clients a greater choice to pick which services, specialised therapy, they wish to use, more variety of choice

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, ms Karli Dettman