NDIA Accountability Project

Addressing discrimination and creating a level playing field for people with disabilities

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 8:04:57 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.

It doesn’t cater for individuals and their unique needs, it puts everyone in the same basket. It is inflexible with too many people at the top managing and poor communication between providers, carers, health and allied workers. There is no conduit bringing the whole thing together, just bunches of people all working for their own organisations busying themselves brokering for work and emphasising procedures, policies and protocols thought up by people who very often have no idea about having a disability and how day to day life actually works on the ground The needs of the individual they are working for is the prime importance when we get that right with compassion, genuine care and consideration of those with a disability, then we might be starting to get a clearer picture. People with a disability have the exact same right of every other individual but very often do not have the opportunity to see that played out in society. Let’s make a level playing field.

Main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community:

  • People with disability can choose who comes into their home,
  • 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

Most important services for the NDIS to provide:

  • Recreation and community access,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because we are all equal, people with disabilities have been discriminated against for too long often not deliberately but because society seems to have its hands tied and needs to learn acceptance and how to be inclusive, compassionate and caring.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Msr susan watt