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 6:45:03 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.

We have an 18 year old son with severe CP. Each time our son reaches a new stage in his life, there are new forms to complete and different people to negotiate with and usually a new waiting list to join. Often there is red tape, multiple people who we need to explain our sons preferences and needs. The system is time consuming, demoralizing in that we have to justify and plead for the smallest amount of assistance. The current system is very limited in flexibility and choices. Our son and our preferences are often ignored. An example of this:

• His ISP funding will cover someone to sit next to him in his home, but when he requested to go out in a wheelchair taxi to access the community, DHS reply was why can’t the worker put the wheelchair in her car. He enjoys and request to go to a respite house with his friends. NOT FUNDED Go on a camp with other young adults. NOT FUNDED. When he needs a new wheelchair - only partially funded. We don’t have the money fo r the rest so we rely on applications to charity or he misses out. A wheelchair is an essential not a luxury. These are only a few elements of the system but are examples of what happens across the whole system.

We are getting older and are VERY concerned about our sons future and our ability to keep going. Our sons disability has a huge impact on all our family. Our ability to work and earn an income,

We love our son very much and we wish to support him with his needs to have an involved and productive member of the community. This is very difficult in the current system. We have seen the system deteriorate over the past 18 years.

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

• Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
• Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support, 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, Flexible in- hom/outside hom respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I hope it will deliver a more holistic approach. Less red tape.

A system that supports all people with a disability not just those who know how to write a submission.

A fairer system.

A more responsive system.

Better planning.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr & Mrs Ian & Joan Gains