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 9:51:16 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 disability system is worse then the actual disability that my daughter experiences. The Department of Communities (Disability) are honestly the most undesirable, uncommunicative and unapproachable group of people to communicate and relate with. My daughter was assigned a certain amount of money for her to use each year. BUT the red tape we have to climb over and through so, that she can access it, is just ridiculous. The people at the Department of Communities actually make our life more difficult and exhausting. When we phone they are always in meetings (specifically meetings that are held at luxurious cafes). They rarely return your phone calls so, then we have to phone again, and again. Who has time for this situation? We are exhausted from dealing with our Autistic daughter. When you ask a question, they avoid answering it! We have never had assistance for respite for my daughter. A weekend break every now and then would have been nice for her and her family. I feel such empathy for other families experiencing this and especially for families that have more than one child with a disability. PLEASE introduce the NDIS to families in Australia. Thank you.

Main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community:

• People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
• Better access to mainstream support and services,
• More opportunities to participate in the community,
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
• Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support,
• Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community,
• 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:

• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Life-skills, Recreation and community access, Accommodation options, Flexible in-home/outside home respite, Crisis and emergency support, Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I think it will lessen the red tape involved that currently makes life hell for families who support their children or family member with a disability.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Ms Amanda Gorton