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 8:09:41 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.

My parents are in their 80’s. My Mum has cancer, my 48yo intellectually disabled brother is their full-time job. That’s just not fair - & now he can’t even go to the dentist to finish his treatment plan because the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme is closed - he only got 1/3 of the way through the plan. Why are intellectually disabled adults treated like they are invisible ghosts? Open your eyes, they need help, as does their ageing parents.

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

• 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,
• 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,
• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Life-skills

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because we need to look after those who cannot look after themselves, & we also need to support those parents who have worked all their lives to care for their children & now in their later life they are scared of what will happen to their children. They need peace of mind in their twilight years.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Veronica Byrne