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: Tuesday, 22 January 2013 2:19:48 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.

As an individual support planner for a not for profit disability organisation, I support many people with intellectual disabilities. I see many frustrations with the system as it is now. Funding is the major issue, or should I say “lack of funding” and the fact that most of these Service Users need their funding and their disorders or disabilities reassessed due to changing requirements. Some of these clients have not had their funding levels reassessed for years and years, even though their abilities and their disbilities have deteriated. Therefore, these clients are seriously being disadvantaged in their life.

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

• More opportunities to participate in the community,
• More rights for people with a disability,
• Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Recreation and community access,
• Support for families and carers,
• Accommodation options

I support the introduction of the NDIS. to support the disabled community in our society

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Rhonda Pagonis