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 3:42:55 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.

It seem every year we have to prove the child’s disability hasn’t miraculously disappeared and we are not fraudulently taking money from CentreLink.

This is demeaning and the red-tape continually compounds and interferes with any progress we are making with limited resources.

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

• People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
• 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

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Employment support,
• Support for families and carers,
• In-home care and domestic assistance

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

At last we might achieve some recognition that people with disabilities may be employable and able to contribute to society. I’m hoping NDIS will dispel prejudices about our abilities. Public ignorance has to be addressed, along with a culture seemingly hostile to the employment of people with lesser abilities than most.

I’m also hopeful the NDIS will improve the lives of families and carers who will also see the psychological, social and financial benefits that come from employment.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Rod Thompson