NDIA Accountability Project

Daughter with permanent intellectual and physical condition requiring constant care

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: Wednesday, 23 January 2013 9:08:55 AM

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.

Disability services across states is inequitable and in our experience those who make the most noise get most support. Too many families, like ours, are simply exhausted by their caring roles and do not have the energy, time or skills to advocate and deal with government departments that operate on the basis of …

do as little as possible unless the family lodges a ministerial complaint or is about to relinquish custody to the state“

This is not the fault of the individual bureaucrats but simply a sympton of underfunding and inequitable distribution of the funds that are available.

Despite the uncountable numbers of forms we fill in every year and drain on doc tors time and Medicare in getting medical reports completed, our daughter has a permanent intellectual and physical condition that means she cannot and never will be able walk, talk, toilet herself, feed herself, drink for herself, dress herself and so on. She needs constant 24/7 care. IT IS THAT SIMPLE!!!

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:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

To make support and funding both predictable and equitable for ALL Australians.

So support is not a bunfight where the loudest voice get the most funding.

To help parents plan ahead for reasonable lifetime support for our precious children when we die or can no longer physically look after them.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mr Gerald Hunt