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 10:59:13 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 child has an undiagnosed genetic disorder. Becky is 6 years old and attends a school. She is not entitled to Better Start Funding as she does not tick any of the disabilities which qualifies for Better Start Funding - Is this a fair system?

Becky’s special school has no funding to provide a physic or OT and can only afford a speech therapist 2 days a week. Is this fair when the children attending these schools need these services?

We are out of pocket with private therapy expenses. I cannot work full time as her special school cannot provide before or after school care. Is this fair that I cannot work full time because the system does not accommodate for my child?

What would happen if I lived below the poverty line, I was uneducated and English was not my first language? My child would miss out!

I want to put my time and energy into raising my child not fighting the fragmented unfair system we currently have.

Come on - Lets look after everyone with a disability, life is hard enough!

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

• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
• People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered,
• 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:

• Employment support,
• Flexible in-home/outside home respite,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I have a child with a disability which has led to me having a lot of friends who have a child with a disability. People get a very different level of support depending upon the age of the child and the diagnosis and disability. The current system is unfair and does not support people with a disability in a way that they can benefit the most. Surely I am my child’s expert and know what services and resources she needs at any point in time. How can a bureaucrat know what is best for my child when the don’t know her? Give parents/carers access to the resources and services which allow them to best support their children. My child is missing out on services due to lack of funding and resources, this upsets me.

I worry about who is going to look after my daughter when I am not here, the current system is flawed. We need to make a better system, for once can the

Government please invest in something long term not short term, they will save in the long run.

It is embarrassing that we are a first world country and we treat people with disabilities as second rate citizens.Nobody chooses to have a disability, remember it can happen to anyone at any time.We have waited long enough, lets get the NDIS in place for everyone’s peace of mind!

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Heather Renton