NDIA Accountability Project

Support for children with Asperger's and long-term disability funding

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 7:00:05 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.

What I cant understand as a grandmother of and 8 year old Aspergers grandson is why does funding run out now these children are not cured of Aspergers the minute they turn 8, it is a lifelong disability. If more funding was available these children would grow up to adults that would cost the government less as they would be educated and able to contribute to the community therefore costing less, which to me seems to be the governments only priority. SHAME SHAME SHAME. Let our children feel important. We who have family members who have disabilities are TAX payers as well.

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
  • Better access to mainstream support and services,
  • Better access to education and work opportunities,
  • More opportunities to participate in the community,
  • More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
  • More rights for people with a disability,
  • People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
  • People with a disability can choose who comes into their home,
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
  • Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community,
  • Access to reliable information about support options,
  • Removal of age barriers to services for children,
  • People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered,
  • 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:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Education support (technology/services/equipment),
  • Life-skills,
  • Employment support,
  • Recreation and community access,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Accommodation options,
  • In-home care and domestic assistance,
  • Flexible in- home/outside home respite,
  • Case management, planning and coordination,
  • Crisis and emergency support,
  • Positive behaviour support and psychological services,
  • Interpreters and other communication support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I support anything that helps to give these beautiful people a normal life

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Heather Wittingslow