NDIA Accountability Project

Support for sister with a disability and relief for parents

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: Sunday, 23 December 2012 12:25:29 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 doesn’t work for my sister - and could definitely be better. My parents need some relief - they are in their late 60s/early 70s, and required support to look after my sister. This gets more important as my parents age. My sister lives independently, so requires monitoring and some management as she gets on with her life. Her boyfriend lives with her, but he also has a disability, so they need supervision together. Their needs are different, so this also must be recognised and managed accordingly.

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • Better access to mainstream support and services,
  • Better access to education and work opportunities,
  • More opportunities to participate in the community,
  • More rights for people with a disability,
  • People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
  • 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,
  • Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support,
  • Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community,
  • 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,
  • Recreation and community access,
  • In-home care and domestic assistance

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

It will give disabled people a better life. They’ll have access to more opportunities and support, thus improving their quality of life. If they have a good level of independence already, like my sister does, then the NDIS will further support her, taking more pressure off our parents.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms00 Johanna Lamborn