NDIA Accountability Project

Difficulty accessing medication and financial hardship due to disability

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 5:22:42 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.

After paying taxes as an individual all my working life. I am currently unemployed and pretty much unemployable due to my condition. I have gone to Centrelink only to be told your Husband earns too much. My son who also has a disability is told the same thing you can’t get assistance because your Dad earns too much. Could someone please explain how much is too much and how many people is this supposed too much is meant to support? Does the government not know that being in this predicament puts women at a higher risk of domestic abuse?

So far I am lucky my medication is on the PBS there are however medications that are not covered and are way too expensive for me to consider.

Support groups are accessable for my condition but for any assistance that requires financial expenditure I need to go through a complex process.

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
  • Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Education support (technology/services/equipment),
  • Employment support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

People like me, with a disability need as much support as possible to be able to live a life with enjoyment, dignity and longevity as any other Australian. This Subission process has given us an ablilty to have a say.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Alison Bird