NDIA Accountability Project

Physiotherapy support for children 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 5:35:45 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.

I am a physiotherapist in a school for children with disabilities. So I am responsible for the prescription of a number of different pieces of equipment, such as wheelchairs, standing frames, walking frames, and other seating systems.

Before the introduction of the Top-up Fund for Children, it was very difficult to get funding for these pieces of equipment, especially if the family did not have access to case management. The Top-up Fund for Children has been a god send for the funding of wheelchairs and walking fames, however the other pieces of equipment still have the same issues as before.

Quite often, lack of funding means that the child will miss out on a certain piece of equipment or service, which would have been beneficial for them. It is not right that children with disabilities are not getting what is best for them because money cannot be accessed.

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
  • 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,
  • Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Increased support and services being available for people with disabilities can only be a positive change for Australia. It will be a huge step in the right direction. A lot more support, money and services needs to be available to people with disabilities and their families.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Miss Lisa Brumley