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: Monday, 21 January 2013 1:12:13 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.

Inadequate resources to support their children preclude 2 of my friends who have severely disabled children from going to work and both contributing their significant skills to our community and economy, as well as enabling themselves to earn an income that supports their independence.

Although I believe people are entitled to services, I hope the motivation of the NDIS - the end goal - is about achieving optimal integration and engagement across the community regardless of ability. Such a goal would also contribute to a system that doesn’t have to ‘break the bank’…but we’ve got a long long way to go before that level of cultural shift occurs, therefore appropriate resources need to be invested…but in a way that works towards an aspirational goal. Not just a service delivery goal.

The differences in services and resources across jurisdictions, disabilities, nages, etiologies is of grave concern.

The lack of appropriate resources for people who don’t have a clear diagnosis, but do have a clear disability is extremely problematic.

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,
• More opportunities to participate in the community,
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Employment support,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

It’s an issue of human rights and equity. It’s an issue of productivity. And most importantly it’s an issue of engaging successfully with the diversity in our community - which requires all of us to step up to the plate - not just the government to hand over big buckets of money.

Although I’ve followed the rules in the questions above and only selected 3, many of the items are obviously very important and answering this way actually misrepresents my views.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Ms Gretchen Young