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 11:56:50 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.

Because of the endless red tape, constant form filling, the lack off support offered for the disabled and the primary carer, the multiple people/departments requiring information, The lack of consistency between support areas and having to deal with a different reach time.

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,
• 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:

• Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
• Support for families and carers,
• In-home care and domestic assistance

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I can see the toll caring for a 10 year old with Muscular Dystrophy has taken on my sister. She has care of her 14 year and 10 year old son 90% of the time as her ex- husband has taken a job overseas. She is constantly having to explain situation to the myriad of people/services she has to deal with. She spends hours completing submissions for financial assistance/funding. In the last 12 months she has had to purchase an electric wheelchair, a wheelchair capable vehicle and have her house remodelled to cater for in a wheelchair, this has cost her well over $60000 and she receive a pittance in funding. She spends hours at medical appointments, massages, chiropractors etc. to try and delay her son’s decline which impacts on the hours she can work and therefore her income. It also affects the time she has to spend with her teenage daughter and their relationship. Being the first child in a wheelchair at the local primary school, she has had to spend hours in meeting with the school discussing needs. All of this is exhausting, physically and emotionally.

This scheme needs to centralise information for all departments to access and to provide financial assistance for the costs of caring for a disabled family member at home. Care for the carers needs to be a priority.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Sue Watts