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 5:22:07 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.

WA currently has a very good system in place for people with some disabilities but unfortunately not for others with sensory or some physical disabilities. Under the current system, only less than 20 per cent of people’s application for funding gets accepted. The only ones who get funded are those who can demonstrate that they are worse off than others with similar disability and have a greater need making the disability support services a charity model. Those who speak English as their second language or have low literacy rates, miss out. Therefore our system is not equitable. Under the NDIS everyone’s individual needs would be met and it would be sustainable.

I went to Europe in 2010 and did a two weeks language course in Spain. They provided six volumes of Braille books for me for free knowing that I was not a citizen of Spain or European Union. I then went to Turkey and visited a Centre for the Blind in Istanbul. They gave me 50 talking books for free on CDs and DVDs. However, it costs me $5.80 per page to get things transcribed at the Association for the blind in WA . I applied for an accessible mobile phone as I need it for my work through the Workplace Modifications Grant and it took about four months for me to receive it.

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

• More opportunities to participate in the community,
• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
• Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Life-skills, Employment support, Accommodation options, In-home care and domestic assistance,
• Interpreters and other communication support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I feel that for the first time in Australia, there is a good opportunity to improve the lives of people with disability with the introduction of the NDIS. The NDIS will provide people with disability choice and control where they can choose what services they require and who should provide it to them so that they are in control of their own lives. The NDIS legislation should commit to a complete fulfilment of the UNCRPD and should support the social, economic and political rights of people with disability such as the right to make free choices, the right to privacy, the right to be treated fairly or the right to be consulted about issues and decisions that affect them. NDIS should also provide freedom for People with disability to affiliate with a political group or party of their persuasion, be elected into the commonwealth or state and territory parliaments if they choose.

NDIS legislation

NDIS legislation should be in line with all the national and international anti discrimination legislations as Australia is becoming more and more multicultural to fulfil Australia’s skill shortages. This should include UN’s other conventions on the rights of Child, Rights of Refugees, Rights of Women and Rights of Migrant Workers and their families. Being a Commonwealth parliament Act, it should also be applicable to all other acts including the Migration Act, Social Security Act, etc. We understand that all people with disability face barriers to social participation – access to employment, technology, social activity and economic wellbeing. If all of UNCRPD is incorporated in the NDIS legislation, people with disability should be supported in gaining and maintaining meaningful open employment according to their skills and merits as other Australians as currently Australia is the last on the list of OECD countries that provide the least employment opportunities for p eople with disability. National Disability Insurance Agencies should also ensure that people with disability are employed at all levels of the agency including in dicision making capacities. Service providers working in the NDIA should be supported to have the relevant qualifications and training in working with people with various disabilities to enable their access to the NDIS. Training should be available for individuals with disability also to ensure their access to information, supports and services to be in control of their lives and their meaningful inclusion and participation in the wider society as valued citizens of Australia.

Eligibility Criteria: The NDIS should be accessible for people with disability who have legal rights to live in Australia including those who are currently holding 457 (long-stay) visas and full fee paying international students with disabilities. In accordance to the UNCRPD principles, which Australia is a signatory to, children under the age of 18 years, who are not recognised as permanent residents, would miss out on the vital disability supports including early intervention services which could be detrimental to their development and is contrary to the United Nations article 3 Convention on the rights of the Child and UNCRPD article 7.1 and 7.2 and in CRPD article 24.2C and D. Asylum seekers who are waiting for their permanent residency are eligible for limited social security benefits and some Medicare. I would suggest that they should also be eligible for the NDIS as UNCRPD provides no discrimination on the basis of citizenship.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms. Nihal ISCEL