NDIA Accountability Project

Caring for a son with severe autism and support for stressed carers

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: Saturday, 19 January 2013 12:15:53 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 funding given to Government Departments is not utilised in the best capacity, and alot is wasted on poorly attended information morning teas and other administration costs, rather than given directly to the families / people with disabilities who actually need the funding.

Carers are overworked and overlooked, families are stressed and not given enough support.

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,
  • Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Recreation and community access,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite,
  • Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Over the last 8 approx years, of caring with my son who has severe Autism I have come in contact with alot of other carers and families with children with a disability. I can honestly say without any hesitation they are all “doing it tough”, with many carers very stressed and some who have attempted suicide or contemplated suicide. If there is a National Disability Insurance Scheme put in place it will provide help to people who really need help. Alot of these carers are single mothers, who because of the stress of caring, have had marriage breakdowns. I know how hard it is to care for a child with a disability, even when you have a partner to help. These single mothers or even single fathers who are carers are really struggling to survive - they need more assistance, hopefully NDIS will achieve this.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Wendy Dixon-Yousiph