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 2:32:05 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.

People with disabilities include elderly people who were once quite able. Psychological support, that is reasonably accessible, (ie without assessment processes that are often quite invasive and demeaning) to deal with the change in circumstances and respite for partners who become ‘carers’, although they may themselves be less able than previously are as important as the provision of practical physical support.

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

• 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, People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Flexible in-home/outside home respite, Case management, planning and coordination, Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

The scheme will inevitably be a costs to the public purse, but should help those who are either born with vulnerabilities, or acquire them via accident or age.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Michael Coleman