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: Saturday, 22 December 2012 12:38:26 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.

I have too many varied special needs. For example I have long term hydrocephalus which as yet is not recognised in this country as needing a lot of services. I cannot get respite because I do not live with a carer. I have two very different IQs and I think I could have a high functioning form of autism. I don’t want to do craft the rest of my life as I have poor co-ordination. I want meaningful activities and services, and not to be seen as a threat to people receiving the services. In less than four years I will lose a recreation service. I would like something done about this, for example the age limit raised to 65 instead of staying at 60.

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 opportunities to participate in the community,
• More rights for people with a disability

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Life-skills,
• Recreation and community access,
• Crisis and emergency support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I think too many people are being lost in the system. The NDIS will provide more services for people like that.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Help for people who don’t fit into any “boxes” Penelope Wilkinson