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 10:36:47 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 neice is a Spina Bifida sufferer and her family have had many things to do to make their home and vehicle easily accessible for her. Much cost has been involved. When she needed a specific operation on her spine to prevent further scoliosis her mother had to lobby the local member for parliament to arrange for a specialist surgeon to travel to Perth for the operation. There are many more times her family have had to advocate on her behalf. One of which was in relation to her post high-school year placement among people with lower mental capacities causing problems for her. I am sure greater assistance in the form of case management, planning and coordination would have taken some of the burden off the family members.

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

• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
• Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support,
• Access to reliable information about support options

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Support for families and carers,
• Accommodation options,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I believe that it is imperative for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to be implimented because many families are suffering under the burden of their various situations. Respite, financial assistance, accommodation, education, all need families to research and advocate on the individual’s behalf, and if there is no family it falls to the community to fill the role. In the case of an education facility in WA for children with Autism there was an issue of funding from the Government being withheld due to lack of proper applications for funding, causing much angst on the part of families who had to raise huge amounts of money to keep the service open. Finally it has been resolved by being relocated to another established service. but I wonder if it will continue to work in the same way as before and cause further problems. Those peoople living in regional areas are often particularly vulnerable in relation to the lack of services available.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Nan McColl