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 12:49:46 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. The current disability system doesn’t not take in to consideration the different needs and aspiration of individuals with diverse mental or physical disabilities. Seldom differentiates between a person born with a genetic condition and a person who has developed a handicap later in life - as a result of an accident, for instance. In the latter case, hardly the previously acquired skills and abilities are taken into account in order to support the person to re-enter the work force and re-claim his/her place in society, especially when this is possible. Not enough psychological support or incentive is offered to the person with a disability to give him/her the opportunity to regain some sense of worth, so important to break barriers and stigmas. Most of these people have to rely on very tired families or overworked, almost unavailable, social services for every big or small task and then, when the primary carer is too old or dead, they have to fend for themselves or be at the mercy of unscrupulous people with a different agenda. In the event of NDIS it would be also auspicable that some Centrelink’s rules and regulations will be revised to work in syntony with the new scheme.

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

More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare, 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:

Employment support, Accommodation options, Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

In the hope that this scheme will bring the necessary changes to improve the life of people with disabilities and their familes. If well managed this scheme could strenghten the existing welfare system by cutting duplicates/overlapping of services and lead the way for a more rationalized and effective distribution of resources and delivery of services where they are really needed.

PS

Please, take into account that the above answers only reflect the needs of my personal situation and they are not considering the different needs of others.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Anna-Maria Sacilotto