NDIA Accountability Project

Support for families and respite services for an intellectually disabled child

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 9:02:32 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.

It is cumbersome, complex, fragmented and bureaucratically top heavy. We need a truly NATIONAL scheme run by ONE level of Government. Too much funding goes to “feeding” the State and Federal Bureaucracies with the remainder going to those most in need. Funding and support should be “Bottom Up” not “Top Down” - look after those most in need with a minimum of leakage to administration, systems and bureaucracy. In addition, to be a true “INSURANCE” scheme, funding should come from a levy on income similar to the Medicare Levy. Most rational people don’t think twice about paying insurance premiums for their house, car, life, funeral cover etc. Paying an insurance premium to provide cover for a disability is a “no brainer”.

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

  • More opportunities to participate in the community,
  • 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:

  • Life-skills,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I have an intellectually disabled child. I am both frustrated and disgusted with the existing system and its inability to see beyond the bureaucratic “need” to ensure that policies, procedures, rules and regulations take precedence over looking at the disabled person and his/her individual situation and circumstances to ensure that the disabled person and family/carers receive the best and most appropriate services that are available.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Patrick Boyce