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 11:01:04 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.

My son is only 14 so he has to go through the education system to get assistance. Tasmania has a gateway service which aren’t very helpful at all, last year I was going through a rough patch with I contacted the gateway and they told me they couldn’t do anything for me I have already put on the waiting lists for residential care and day support for when he leaves school. I also work in the disability area so I know how underfunded this area is. The disability organisation that I work for wanted to open a respite program/house but we was told that there was sufficient but I know differently when I needed respite there was none opened they were all closed for Christmas/new year holidays and so I had to struggle on as best as I could, it’s not only me but hundreds of families in the same situation that really need the break from their family member with a disability. It may be only for a few hours or a few days because it is a 24/7 365 days a year job, and we the c arets/parents families don’t ask for much but for us to be respected and need a break, when we call for assistance it’s because we are exhausted and need a break and at the breaking point. Please when you employ people to coordinate NDIS please can they have experience with families and people with disabilities not someone straight from uni who has no idea what we the carers go through each day.

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

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

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Case management, planning and coordination,
• Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I hope for better funding for the whole entire disability services throughout Australia and for the funding to be equal and fair and to think not only about the big things but the little things when planning the funding model.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Tania George