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: Tuesday, 22 January 2013 1:15:13 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.

My sister is 46 years old, has a mild intellectual disability and a number of physical limitations and chronic illnesses, and is residing in an aged care facility with co-residents who are much Older, more fragile and less capable than she is. She has been in the aged care system for approximately 4 years, following the death of our mother and the rest of the family’s failed efforts to support her to live independently in the family home. She has been on the ADHC Supported Accommodation list for almost 6 years, however has not yet been offered a place in a group home, let alone a suitable one. Her situation appears not to be considered as urgent enough as she already has a roof over her head, regardless of how suitable that situation is. My sister has ended up in the aged care system after suffering a number of falls that landed her in hospital. She has also suffered from depression as a result of ongoing abuse and threats to her life from neighbours who were known drug users. The police were unable or not interested in helping in these situations. My sister was not able to have overnight support staff, which was the most critical need at the time, because she could not afford to pay for them - she is on a Disability Support Pension (Blind) which she can barely afford to live on, let alone pay for support. This is the main reason that she has ended up in such an unsuitable living situation.

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

• 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

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Support for families and carers,
• Accommodation options,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

My sister, and other people with a disability with whom I have worked and otherwise come into contact with, deserve to be able to have more control over how they live their lives. They, and their families, need to be able to determine what sort of assistance they want and need, where they get it from and when. They need to be assured that they not only have a future but that they will be taken care of when parents and family members are no longer able to provide the support that is required. The NDIS appears to address these needs, along with numerous others, and will enable people with a disability, and their families and support networks, to live more fulfilling and enjoyable lives in line with the rest of the community.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Sharyn New