NDIA Accountability Project

Lack of access to early intervention services for a child with intellectual and physical 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: Sunday, 23 December 2012 2:28:44 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.

We live rurally and have little access to services, support and assistance. The waiting list for intervention, Assessment and services is very long and at times ADHC has attempted to remove my daughter from from the waiting lists with very little notice. Our newest case manager met with us once and we have not seen her in two years. The service is highly impersonal and does not take into account our daughter’s individual situation. Our daughter spends more time on waiting lists and being assessed for therapy, rather than receiving actual therapy. Once she has received 5 sessions of a particular therapy, ADHC attempts to remove her from their list altogether, despite having a permanent intellectual and physical disability. I am tired of continually fighting for access, acknowledgement, services, intervention and family support. It’s a constant and tiring battle and my daughter is only 6 years-old.

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

  • Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
  • 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,
  • 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,
  • Removal of age barriers to services for children, Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support

Most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Education support (technology/services/equipment),
  • Life-skills,
  • Employment support,
  • Recreation and community access,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite,
  • Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

The current service model does not work my own family situation and as a result my 6-year-old daughter has missed out on crucial early intervention and support services. Living rurally, we have few options and are hopeful the NDIS will help more families caring for a child with special needs. I hope the education and future job programs can offer an individual approach for my daughter in future so that she can have the best quality of life possible.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Ms Terra Starbird