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 10:37:22 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.

My Son was injured in a motor vehicle accident some years ago now, although he received a pay out, he has next to nothing left. He was able to purchase a home which is great, but he had to pay all 5 years of disability pension back and was cut off from any support pension for a number of years as well. His injuries are significant. He lives with chronic pain on a daily basis and lost the use of his arm and hand. He has been out of the workforce for years, he really wants employment, but he needs further education and support to find it. Taking so much of his money is incredibly short sighted, unless there is a breaktrough in pain management, he will probably find it hard to work full time, ever. If he had had the full benefit of the insurance money and not had to pay his pension back and live on what was left, he could have invested it, for example, in a rental property, that would be bringing him in some income now and be his superannuation in old age, now he stresses ove r how he will support himself, provide for his son’s future, have a life, this of course adds to his pain threshholds. He is a clever, intelligent and brave young man, whose youth was snatched away in one brief moment, a talented musician who was studying sound engineering and was top of his class, now he wonders what the future will bring. Because he is not on a pension he doesn’t get support from many of the job service providers within the disablity sector, I know! I have been with him and he has been told “sorry we can’t help you” It’s crazy! Our family is not wealthy, we do what we can to help, but financially there is not much to give. The system is frought with short term, ridiculous, one size fits all mentality, it puts pressure on everyone, including the government, who will now have the burden of caring for my son financially in his old age, unless we win the lottery and thats highly unlikely! the NDIS is a better way, it makes sense.

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

• Better access to education and work opportunities
• More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Equipment and home/vehicle modifications
• Education support (technology/services/equipment)
• Employment support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I have worked in the area of disability and also have a son who is disabled after an accident. Through these experiences I have first hand knowledge of how important it is to support the disability sector, I also believe that with the right support in areas of education and training and better access to work opportunities, people like my son, will be able to “have a life”. In the long term this scheme will also ease the financial burden on the government. My son like many others like him, wants to work. He wants to be able to provide for his son,

he wants to feel he contributes to society, he has so much to give. I have seen him door knocking in the hope of work, offering to volunteer and I have seen first hand the negative reactions he has received. People with a disability have a right to be educated and to find work that suits their talents and expertise but they need support, financial for a time, to get them started and ongoing further education, as every one needs t oday in order to find employment. I do not mean any old job either, I mean meaningful and well paid employment. With the right support the possibilities are endless, raising a persons self esteem makes them feel good, feeling good raises the level of endorphins, which in turn strengthens the immune system, this is scientific fact, this benefits our carers as well, easing their fears and burdens frees them up and their health is improved, its a win win, a healthier and happier community is less burden on the government! I do not understand short term mentality, looking at the long term benefits is cheaper for the future of this country. All good business people know, you must spend money to make money. If the government invests in this scheme now, it will save money! I want to see our disabled community and their carers have a life and the NDIS will give them that opportunity! AND will ease the ongoing costs to the Government, its a win win!

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Jennifer Reading