NDIA Accountability Project

Disability system failures impacting niece and extended family

‹ PrevPage 1 of 2 · Source p. 1Next ›

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 5:43:04 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.

THE DISABILITY SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK FOR MY NIECE AND HER

PARENTS, , MY BROTHER, AND HIS WIFE, .

WAS CARED FOR, AT HOME, WITH INCREASINGLY LIMITED RESPITE, FOR

28 YEARS. IS PROFOUNDLY DISABLED AND IS DEPENDENT ON OTHERS FOR ALL HER NEEDS. IMAGINE HAVING A BABY AT HOME WITH YOU FOR 28 YEARS. IMAGINE HAVING VERY FEW NIGHTS SOLID SLEEP FOR 28 YEARS. IMAGINE THE UTTER DESPAIR THAT LEADS A FAMILY TO RELINQUISH THE CARE OF THEIR TOTALLY DEPENDENT DAUGHTER. “RELINQUISHING THE CARE” IN THIS CASE MEANT A PHONE CALL TO RESPITE FACILITY TO SAY ‘WE CAN NO LONGER LOOK AFTER OUR DAUGHTER.PLEASE DO NOT SEND HER BACK TO US’. The heartbreak of this decision is unfathomable.

THIS IS HOW THE DISABILITY SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK FOR MY EXTENDED FAMILY.

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,
  • 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:

  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Accommodation options,
  • Crisis and emergency support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN EQUITY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

ALL DISABLED PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY GOT THEIR DISABILITY.

AS A FINAL COMMENT IT IS NOT EASY TO CHOOSE ONLY 3 ITEMS IN EACH CATEGORY ABOVE.

IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE. WHAT IS SIMPLE THOUGH, IS TO MAKE EVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THOSE DISABLED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT AND COVERED BY THE TAC, AVAILABLE TO EVERY OTHER DISABLED PERSON REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY BECAME DISABLED

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

MRS JENNIFER MCMANUS