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, 9 January 2013 11:55:41 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.

As a deaf person, I rely on written communication and Auslan (Australian Sign Language) to communicate with others in my daily professional and personal life. I currently don’t have full access to information from government, private and public sector sources. This includes essential information in the event of e mergencies (such as bush fires), community service announcements, and captioning of movies. Until I have full access to all the information around me, I’m not able to fully function as a human being.

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

• Better access to mainstream support and services,
• More rights for people with a disability,
• 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:

• Education support (technology/services/equipment),
• Employment support,
• Interpreters and other communication support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

If properly designed and implemented for all people with a disability, I fully support the NDIS. If the NDIS provides total and full communication support for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, then this will realise their human rights.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Alastair McEwin