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 11:13:48 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.

What system? There is no ‘disability system’ - we have dealt with a fractured system from the first application for early intervention at age 2 or 3 to now negotiating the transition from school to adult life at age 18. We cannot see the future as being any less fraught. We have dealt with different agencies, different protocols & policies, different application processes & selection criteria, different forms and reports. We have had to obtain multiple reports from multiple doctors every time we have needed something. We have had to fight every day of his life to ensure our son has had what he needs. He will never be able to do this for himself. Who will do it when we are gone?

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

• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
• Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
• Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support,
• 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:

• Life-skills,
• Support for families and carers,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because I believe it may deliver a system that will work for my son.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Rebecca Hart