NDIA Accountability Project

Addressing financial burdens for families of 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 1:51:41 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.

  • Too bureaucratic and autocratic
  • Grossly underfunded.
  • Workers in the sector are under paid and therefore often under qualified.
  • Lack of intellectual rigour leads to adoption of inflexible ideological positions

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

People with a disability can choose the types of support to use, 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

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

Employment support, Support for families and carers, Accommodation options

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

We support the NDIS for two main reasons;

e. Financial reasons. People with disabilities usually have higher needs and lower earning power than others. As a result, they and their families are often badly disadvantaged financially. The NDIS promises a significant increase in the amount of government support made available to people with disabilities and this, in turn, should go some way in relieving the financial burden currently carried by them and their families.

b. Decision Making and Choice. People with disabilities, and their families, will have greater input into the decision making process on how, and on what, the support dollars are spent. This should lead, not only to a more coordinated and efficient use of resources, but also to happier and more contented people. The role of the professional will be more to advise and less to dictate.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr & Mrs Marge & Jeff BISHOP