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 10:03:25 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.

I have a 40 year old daughter with a genetic condition which limits here capabilities and has an intellectual disability. She is a single mum with a 16 year old son who has several intellectual disabilities and autism. My daughter needs help in the home and to care for her son, the only support they get is 3 hours a week each. Her son is non verbal and doesn’t have independence skills therefore needs assistance from carers to assist with showering, washing, cleaning teeth and toileting etc. She is unable to take him out socially as is not able to manage his behaviours, therefore they are isolated at home unless there is some to help her. I’m 65 years and my health as deteriaoted and I am not able to give them the support they need. We have applied for an ISP and been accepted on the DSR but still no assistance they advised they have to money to assist at this time. The system is failing my family because they have no funding to have assistance to the respite and personal care support required, do not have the opportunity to community access and to improve their social skills, their health and well being are suffering and require assistance to partake in physical activity, require help from a Case Manager to co-ordinate their daily needs. They are at a crisis point and need a disability system that will work for them.

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

Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person, Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

Life-skills, Accommodation options, Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I totally support the National Disability Insurance Scheme - my daughter and her son have have permanent disabilities and are being let down and not having the same opportunities as people born without disabilities. They require asistance with the funding for therapy costs to help assist them gain independent living skills and play and social skills. They would have choice and control in their lives and necessay supports. There would be a referral service to assist them access mainstream, disability and community supports. They would receive funding for personalized care and community access There would be individualised care and support for them, which is not available now. There would be lifetime support for them and for me being an older parent this is what I would like to think my family would still be cared for.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Joyce Schroeter