NDIA Accountability Project

Adequate funding for people with disabilities

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: Wednesday, 2 January 2013 11:37:23 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 live in Queensland which has the lowest rate of funding per head of population. To get anything at all you have to be a squeaky wheel. It should be about who shouts the loudest, it should be that all people who have a disability have the same access to adequate funding to support their needs. When a submission is made for funding there is normally a response back about why you do not meet the criteria, when in fact you do, not about supporting the person/family through the process. Families are in crisis and only when they are about to break is anything done and only on a short term basis. If adequate funding was in place families would not need to go through this emotional turmoil.

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 choose the types of support to use,
  • Better access to mainstream support and services

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

It will provide equitable access for all people with a disability, which is not dependent on where you live or how loud you scream. It will mean that people with disabilities are able to access funding that will provide them with the opportunity to live a fulfilling and meaningful life - something that everyone with daibility expects.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Annemarie Ross