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, 30 December 2012 1:37:27 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.

Two of my children, now adults, have significant disability which necessitated special aids in school and for further education. Apart from an itinerant special aide teacher for visually handicapped children, there was no other support within the education system at that time. As a family we struggled emotionally and in other ways to get these children through their education, and they have struggled since in their work situations, and to their credit, have succeeded in holding down good jobs. But, it hasn’t been easy and more support and understanding would have been so welcome.

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

• Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare, 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:

• Therapy and allied health services, Education support (technology/services/equipment), Employment support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I support the NDIS as all people with a disability, and the parents and families of these people, are entitled to the help and support they need to reach their full potential. These things are available to the mainstream population without question. Has anyone ever noticed how tired the parents of handicapped children look? It is because they are so physically and emotionally worn-out by trying to access services for their family. These services are not easy to find. There doesn’t seem to be a fully co-ordinated system. It’s all very complicated. Hopefully, the NDIS will address this.

I am extremely happy to contribute to the NDIS by way of a levy, such as is currently in place with Medicare.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Coral Johnson