NDIA Accountability Project

Autism therapies and family support needs

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: Friday, 21 December 2012 5:07:20 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.

My nearly eight year grandson who has autism requires many ongoing therapies for the rest of his life if he is to be a contributor to Australian society. After the early intervention package that the commonwealth government provided for children with autism up to the age of seven, his parents have to pay for the many therapies he requires. Consequently he will not be able to reach his potential which we are confident will be as a functioning adult with the capacity to work in paid employment unless his parents can afford to support those necessary therapies. They have two other children. As grandparents we do what we can to help in as many ways as possible but we cant give him and them the professional help he requires. Unless he gets the therapies he requires he is destined to live on a disability pension as an adult and become a drain on the Australian government and his own family. An insurance scheme is the only way that the therapies can be guaranteed to a certain level.

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

  • People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
  • More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
  • 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,
  • Employment support,
  • Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

A modern civilisation should be able to care for all its inhabitants in the way they require. Australia is a first world country with third world opportunities for most of its disabled citizens. The NDIS has to and must work for the good of the nation.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Jennifer Damiani