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 2:08:26 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.
I dont have a family member with disability, but have been a host family to give respite to families of a child with a disability, worked for a program providing such a program and worked in the disability sector in various capacities.
I firmly believe that the NDIS, properly funded, will provide WONDERFUL support that is HUGELY NEEDED by families of all ages, including aged parents with adult offspring with a disability, who ask ’who will look after my ‘child’ when I have died’ - a question I have heard asked by many people.
The decision makers in the Parliament just need to ask them one question (and think fully and empathetically about it, not just glibly) - what services would I need/want/be expecting my govt. to be providing to support me IN THE VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION OF HAVING A CHILD (when young or older) WITH A DISABILITY.
If politicians are truthful in answering this question, they will turn themselves inside out to achieve the very best support (which will cost billions and will need to be phased in) in services needed across Australia.
Thank you for acting in a ‘human’ and appropriate, while giving huge thanks that you are not a parent in this position (unless you are and then you will fully understand the importance of the issue).
The reason the system doesnt work for the people involved is that there is just not enough funds to provide the services that are needed - it needs BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MEET THE NEEDS.
Barbara Thomas
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
- More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
- The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
- Removal of age barriers to services for children
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
- Employment support,
- Accommodation options,
- Flexible in-home/outside home respite
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
Basically answered in the question above ‘why doesnt the system work for you.’ I should have looked down to the other questions, sorry.
This scheme is long past due, to have a huge extra injection of funds into all the
areas of need for a person with a disability (very hard to choose the 3 most important) from early intervention, equipment, case management, educational support, transition from school to work, ADEQUATE LONG TERM (think in bold characters) SUPERVISION IN EMPLOYMENT of the person with a disability (partic. person with an intellectual disability), otherwise the money to foster employment for a person with a disability is wasted and the person often doesnt continue with the employment, respite (hugely important), appropriate accom, etc. I have witnessed the families of children/adults with a disability, a totally life altering experience (some would call it a ‘life sentence’ and I am hugely happy about the NDIS AS LONG AS IT DELIVERS WHAT THE FAMILIES/PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY WANT AND NEED. I hope the govt. will set aside sufficient funds over the years to make it a worthwhile scheme.
I agree for my submission to be made public
Regards,
Mrs Barbara Thomas