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: Friday, 21 December 2012 11:13:18 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.

Lack of social support structures means that many carers are left to support a family member, loved one or neighbour financially, emotionally, physically, etc at their own expense. This has obvious flow-on costs to the wider community. Not properly funding the NDIS is a false economy given these flow-on costs.

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

• Better access to mainstream support and services,
• More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
• People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Support for families and carers,
• Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Enabling and empowering citizens who live with a disability to contribute to society while providing them with the necessary assistance is the cornerstone to meaningful progress for all citizens. Nobody inherently desires to be a burden on society, it is just that everyone is given the same opportunity to make their contribution. Carers also need support to assist those for whom they care to reduce the demand on our social system.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Paul Johnston