Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Monday, 21 January 2013 10:35:40 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.

I am CEO of a disaiblity orgnaisation so I see the impact on fmailies every day of the lottery of support, the uncertianity of knowing whether support will be ongoing and what if soemhting happens will I get what I need then. But I also see it in my family where my nephew has cerebal palsy and is a quadreplegic. He is 27 years old and every day of his life his parents have had to advocate hard to get the support he needs to live a fairly basic life. They have been lucky as articulate and educated family to receive a basic level of support. However whenever there has been a change in circumstance they ahve had to enegotiate the supports they needed. an example is when my sister in law became ill with pancreatic cancer they had theaddiitonal worry and concern over whether they could increase the supports. Then again once she had passed away my brother in law again when through the stress of not knowing if he could access additional support so he could return to full timework as a teacher. Now that he is ill with cancer again the uncertainity around care for my nephew places additional strain and burden on the family. The support during changed circumstances and times of illness and crises needs to have certianlty as does the ongoing basic support for an adult to live an active life as part of hir community participating socially and economically. thist does not happen in our current system.

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

• Better access to education and work opportunities, More opportunities to participate in the community, The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Employment support,
• Accommodation options,
• In-home care and domestic assistance

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because it offers the opportunity for peole with a disaiblity to become equal members of our community and no longer relaint on charity provided because they are less fortuante. because support when needed to live your life: have a sutiable home, job, friends is a basic human right. its what governments should do.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Frances O’Reilly