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 5:46:45 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.

At the moment the system is too hard to navigate for people with disability and their families. It is very crisis driven and terribly lacking in forward planning. There seems to be minimal consultation with the person with disability and their immediate family. The families are left with the burden of care because many services are lacking.

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

• More opportunities to participate in the community,
• More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Life-skills,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I support the scheme because all people with disability are entitled to live fulfilling productive lives with as much or as little support as they need regardless of how they acquired their disability. The community and Australia will be better for it. Currently the welfare model does not do anything to facilitate changes in attitudes towards people with disability. The government needs to lead by example and provide an NDIS.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Gail Day