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: Monday, 24 December 2012 11:37:25 AM

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.

I am nearly 62 and the only carer for my son, who has Downs Syndrome and a moderate intellectual disability. He is 24 and is on a waiting list to enter a group home. I am aware of a 92 year old carer who cares for his 49 year old daughter who is also on a waiting list for a group home. I do not believe that the death or incapacity of a carer ought to be the prerequesite for their son/daughter to gain access to a group home. I and my son will never under the current funding scheme experience the same opportunities as other Australians to fulfil our lives as separate individuals. My death will obviously precede unrealised fulfilment.

I am attempting to continue full time work. However, this is impossible as can only receive supervision and activities through the Community Participation Program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. My working hours begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 4:00 p.m. Federal funding currently only permits 3 out of 5 days supervision per week for . This does not include travel time to my employment. I have no one who can supervise my son for up to 3 hours per day. I do not have weekends off except for the one weekend a month through respite. I cannot travel overseas to holiday, work or study.

I would like the NDIS to be sufficiently funded so can live in a group home in Wagga Wagga in 2013. I do not want him or myself to wait for funding or homes to be built and adequately staffed in another 5 or 10 years. I cannot wait that long and my son ought to enjoy similar qualities and choices of life as any other young person who moves out of home and makes their way in the world. I do not want to be in the situation which I currently share with 392 carers in the Wagga Wagga area whose average age is 76 (12 carers over 90 years of age) who receive respite care because their adult son or daughter does not have any group home in which to live and grow independently.

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

• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
• Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family, 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:

• Accommodation options

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Why does anyone have insurance? I support the NDIS as it is an insurance scheme for all Australians and their families regardless of how they may have acquired a disability. A national scheme funded at the Federal level provides the necessary resources

Ensuring Dignity and Opportunity

to ensure that all Australians receive dignity and opportunity to enjoy an equivalent quality of life as experienced by non-disabled members of our society. The resources provided can increase opportunities for employment, training, career pathways and productivity for people with disabilities as well as people who work in the various areas of disability support. The people of Australia insure their homes, possessions, property, income and death. We ought to consider insuring our and society’s health and quality of life and enhance it by doing so.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr. Paul Wetherbee