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: Tuesday, 15 January 2013 5:56:45 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.
I work every day with families who have children with disabilities. The most experienced clinician available to diagnose and treat these children - a neuropsycholoist - is not covered by medicare and parents need to pay for this service. This severely limits accessibility, which is unfortunate. An educational or school psychologist is not trained to properly understand these complex children, whereas a neuropsychologist who has studied for a total of 8 years can properly inform doctors, families and schools about a child’s condition. This in turn saves considerable time, money and stress and heartache for the families and government. Access for children to this scheme is vital!
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
- Ensure support and equipment is available when needed
- Removal of age barriers to services for children
- People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
- Therapy and allied health services
- Education support (technology/services/equipment)
- Case management, planning and coordination
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
Because it allows access to services that children deserve!
I agree for my submission to be made public
Regards, Dr Renee Testa