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: Sunday, 20 January 2013 6:44:45 AM

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.

Our current system doesn’t extend far enough to ensure that all those who have a physical, psychological or social ‘difference’ have the opportunities typical Australians enjoy. The same can be said for those most immediate who care and/or support them. The ‘road-blocks’ encountered by all those stakeholders on all levels need to be cleared and access to well-considered services made easier. The stress of living with a ‘difference’ is severe enough on all concerned without having to deal with ineffective government policies and systems that make their situation more difficult or discriminatory. Dignity and a sense of self-worth is often lost in the process.

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

Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, Better access to mainstream support and services, More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare, People with disability can choose who comes into their home, Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support, Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community, Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support

Most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

Support for families and carers, Accommodation options, Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Nobody chooses to have their lives compromised by a physical, psychological or social ‘difference’. Those who find themselves in this situation, along with those most immediate who care and/or support them, are more than entitled to all the resources a country like ours can provide. People in this situation are disadvantaged enough without having ineffective government policies and systems that make their situation more difficult or discriminatory. The NDIS may help balance the inequity for those with ‘differences’.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Craig Beck