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: Tuesday, 25 December 2012 11:26:48 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. it does not meet our basic daily living needs. My daughter has severe cerebral palsy, (vision & hearing impaired and other chronic health conditions) and cannot walk without assistance, we waited 6 years for her to attain a walker for her to help with mobility. We cannot access therapy when we need it. My daughter’s plans for: Lifting and transfers is two years out of date, alongside her ‘oral eating and drinking care plans’ etc because the therapists who provide the service from the organisation that receives the government funding do not have the time. We cannot access school, this year my daughter attended about two weeks of school, because the supports are not in place. We cannot access Vocational Care or after school care because there is no funding for her to be supported whilst there. We cannot access respite when we need it because my daughter needs a registered nurse to give her care, if I have to go out and I cannot afford the cost of this service. I cannot a ccess the services needed to help me to care for her and my needs are non existent. As her carer I am not given the opportunity to receive therapy to assist the disability I now have due to years of lifting and bending etc, by back was not designed to do what it has to do and no one wants to help us. The disability system is fractured and does not meet our basic needs. We had to wait 4 years for a communication device and the process for repairing it does not work well, it can be gone for weeks on end and even though, we find out there was a minor problem with it, it is not returned for weeks, due to the shortage of speech therapists at the organisation that is support to provide the support. There are so many difficulties in the current disability system, the funding that goes to the organisations that are suppose to be giving the support, do not, it takes a lot of battling to receive it when needed, which is exhausting in itself.

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 plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Support for families and carers

I support the introduction of the NDIS. Because my daughter & I count as Australians. I would like my daughter to given the same rights as other children and I given the same rights as other Australians. I care for her 24 hours a day 7 days a week and my daughter is dependent on me to assist her toilet, dress, nutrition, bath, mobility, communication etc and the system at the moment does not meet our basic needs. I support the National Disability Insurance Scheme, because we deserve a quality life, that allows us to get out into the community, have a voice, part take in things we like to do, study and access education and part take in the

Community Submission

community and be recognised for this so that we don’t live in poverty, we can reach our goals and dreams.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Jewels Smith