Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Sunday, 23 December 2012 7:09:35 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 have fallen through the cracks. As a mature adult I acquired multiple disabilities. ALL the services supposedly dedicated to assist me are unable or unwilling to assist in useful ways.

Housing officers actually told me they couldn’t accommodate me due to my disabilities. I fought for housing, then when they finally did house me, they refused to do a lot of the maintenance, saying if I didn’t have the disabilities some things wouldn’t be a problem.

I then applied for an approved occupational therapist to come and make a report for the department, and waited many months. She actually said I didn’t look as though I had a disability and it was mostly maintenance issues that were causing problems. She suggested increasingly more ridiculous ways of coping, then in her report stated I seemed to be coping.

I need a ramp and somewhere to park and charge my mobility scooter; I can’t use it until this is solved.

The local council removed several of the all-too-few disability parking spots, replacing them with metred parking, then said this had improved parking for people with disability.

I cannot access numerous services, shops, and opening or closing drawers in my kitchen is impossible. These very basic rights are denied me due to the attitudes of the very people who are supposed to assist people with disability.

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

• Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, People with a disability can choose the types of support to use, 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, Recreation and community access

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

All of the points in the lists under ‘three features of the NDIS’ and ‘three support types’ are vital. It was hard to choose only three.

I see much injustice, so much ignorance and downright abuse towards people with disability. Most people experience disability at some point in their lives, whether directly themselves, with a family member, friend or colleague.

Submission

I was extremely ‘abled’ before my health broke down through no fault of my own. I consider myself fortunate, as so many are far, far worse off than I.

Apart from assisting financially when people have disabilities, whether from birth or later, the NDIS will assist our society change towards people with disability. This in itself will improve life for people with disability and their loved ones.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Aviva Sheb’a