NDIA Accountability Project

Challenges accessing services and equipment for my son

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, 25 January 2013 10:24:31 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.

In order to access funding for services or equipment its a really long drawnout process, your asked the same questions over and over again, once you get through that process then you may only use the services/equipment from a specific panel/list, which is very restictive especially if you don’t live in a capital city. It can take years to get a new peice of equipment, and for a growing child this is detrimental. A lot of the times my son misses out on services as we are unable to access them due to our location or due to the retricted availability times.

The existing process is humiliiating, we feel like we have to beg inorder to get services/equipment for my son. It’s demeaning and disgraceful to Australia that people with a disability are treated in such a demoralising way. How on earth can we expect these people to intergrate into mainstream society when they are treated like second class citizens.

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Education support (technology/services/equipment),
  • Support for families and carers

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

When we question the process its always blamed on the ‘old disability act’, so hopefully the NDIS will fix this, I appears to be more dynamic and flexible to the needs of the person.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mr Mark DeGregorio