NDIA Accountability Project

Support needed for nephews who are Deaf and Autistic

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: Friday, 21 December 2012 4:41:43 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.

There is not enough support and funding available to assist 2 of my nephews who are Deaf and 1 of my other nephews who is Autistic. The families both struggle with the cost of having the appropriate support and equipment to help these boys reach their full potential

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 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,
  • 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,
  • Access to reliable information about support options,
  • Removal of age barriers to services for children,
  • People with disabilit y/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 the National Disability Insurance Scheme because my family is affected at the lack of resources and financial support available for people with Disabilities.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Barbara Lalor