NDIA Accountability Project

Deafness and lack of interpreter funding

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 1:08:07 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 am deaf and need hearing aids, batteries to help me function in the world in every area of my life. I get no assistance to buy this expensive technology- $6,000 for a pair of new aids and $975 benefit from HBF. My son has the same problem and because his an adult gets no concession whatsoever, even tho’ he is on a low wage. We need captions on tv video movies etcetc certainly not 100% I need Auslan interpreters to help me in workshops, meetings etcetc and often there is no funding to provide them except for births, marriages, christenings and deaths.

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 choose the types of support to use,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Employment support,
  • Interpreters and other communication support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

It is the first step to provide services to those who need it and without all the red tape and bureaucratic nonsense. It means that people with disabils can get their rights and be ‘equal’ in society. It means that they can choose what services they need, rather than a blanket- form of support being available and not covering everything. The same system will apply over the whole of Australia to all those with disabilities.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Anne Jeavons