NDIA Accountability Project

Lack of equipment and support for daughter with physical and intellectual disability

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 4:10:59 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.

  • lack of sufficient funding for essential support services and essential pieces of equipment. 12+ month waiting times for essential items such as wheelchairs & shower chairs is not what one would expect from a first world country. No funding to modify our vehicle so that our daughter can travel in the car in her wheelchair.
  • our 11 year old daughter has significant physical and intellectual disability. During those years we have paid many thousands of dollars for out of pocket medical, therapy, equipment and respite costs. There is very little relief through the tax system for this.
  • the lack of respite & before / after school & vacation care for our daughter has prevented me from returning to the workforce. There is a significant opportunity cost of lost income when one is required to be a full time carer. I am tertiary educated and have many years of corporate experience yet I am confined to a few hours of home based work each week so that I am always available for my daughter.

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

Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person, Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

Therapy and allied health services, Equipment and home/vehicle modifications, Accommodation options

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

For all of the above reasons! The current system is so fractured, inequitable & inadequate. It is a disgrace that in a country as wealthy as ours that people with disabilities and their families have been such a low priority for so long. It will hopefully enable people with disabilities to feel empowered and in control of their lives, replacing the current charity, begging bowl mentality.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Angela Gourlay