Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Friday, 25 January 2013 3:06:45 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.

It is such a disparate collection of supports and subsidies that it is hardly a “disability system” at all. Some things you hear of by chance, persistence or luck and I’m sure there are more now that I’ve turned 65. When leaving hospital 19 yrs ago, paralysed and in a wheelchair, it was a totally confusing array of information in the form of pamphlets, forms and leaflets which one could hardly absorb. I hate having to constantly fill in forms or annually having to complete the same information over and over when my disability is permanent. The complaints-based system under the Disability Discrimination Act is the only way to get access and inclusion issues addressed at the local level yet it is an exhausting process and the onus to change should not be on the person with the disability. I think it is crucial that the age limit of the proposed NDIS should not be limited to under age 65 because the acquired disability did not suddenly disappear then. My husband in particular and other family members have been very supportive and under greater pressure because of my inability to do many household things. Yet they get very little recognition in terms of financial support to pay for other services for me.

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,
• Better access to mainstream support and services,
• More opportunities to participate in the community,
• More rights for people with a disability,
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
• Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
• Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support,
• Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community,
• Access to reliable information about support options,
• People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
• Recreation and community access,
• Support for families and carers,
• Accommodation options,
• In-home care and domestic assistance,
• Flexible in- home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because it is absolutely necessary for all of the above reasons.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Ms Hilary Rumley