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 7:19:17 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.

As a long term jobseeker, a) very infrequently do I get shortlisted for 1st interviews, due to my deafness and inability to speak clear English b) cannot get AUSLAN interpreters directly, using “Employment Assistance Fund” (via jobaccess.gov.au) - because the rules says “You must pay hundreds of dollars upfront for AUSLAN interpreters, then we reimburse you - but ONLY if you ask and obtain our permission EACH TIME you wish to book an interpreter. I need AUSLAN interpreters for walk-in approaches at local workplaces - just like other hearing job-hunters trying to get a foot in. c) Also, EAF rules says if I have support via Centrelink DES where my case manager uses EAF to get “job adjustment equipment”, then I cannot use EAF myself. Either my DES or myself, so if I want such EAF access, then DES agency will “offload” EAF paperwork AND pre-funding to me. How do I find up to $2,000 or more - out of my pocket and then hope to get it fully reimbursed by EAF? d) rules too complicated for prospective employers, so they rather short-list non- disabled job applicants - leaving disabled / deaf people stuck in the welfare twilight zone. I really hate my soul-destroying experiences on the Centrelink treadmill for such a long time.

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

People with a disability can choose the types of support to use, More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare, 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:

Therapy and allied health services, Employment support, Interpreters and other communication support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Equality for all people of varying disabilities, including those with zero disability.

Even those people without disabilities ARE affected, by terms of fewer workers paying more tax individually, as well as having disabled people in their local circles (family, friends or community).

As an example, we provide Education rebates (e.g. Schoolkids Bonus) to parents and we trust parents / carers to know how best spend these on their children (natural, foster or under care). So why do we expect that disabled adults and children don’t know how to manage their own support, by creating numerous middle-level agencies (middlemen) at wasteful cost?

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mr Andrew Niklaus