NDIA Accountability Project

Intellectually disabled sister’s need for full in-home support

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 6:34:10 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.

The current disability system doesn’t work for my family because my intellectually disabled sister can only receive full in-home support if her ‘package’ is joined with another disabled person’s package. She needs 100% support to live an independent and happy life with carers but in the current scheme she is reliant on others. This is unacceptable.

In addition, although my parents have the legal rights to care for my sister, including financial, health and well-being decisions, they continue to battle with the current service provider regarding those decisions. This is inappropriate and often goes against the legal authority my parents have to care for my sister.

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

  • More rights for people with a disability
  • People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

-Support for families and carers -In-home care and domestic assistance -Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I support the NDIS because I hope that all people with a disability and their families can finally receive the support (in whatever fashion they require) to allow the disabled person to receive whatever they need to live an independent life free of discrimination and full of their goals and dreams.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Lainie Thornton