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, 16 January 2013 9:39:05 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 have two boys with Autism that are now in upper primary and soon to enter high school. Although I am really grateful for the changes that have improved the early intervention services (from which we benefitted,) I have really felt that once they have turned 7 you are out on your own with very few people to turn to for advice and help. There is no system for them until they are nearing 16 and even then it is very limited. The system at the moment is very focussed on the young and needs to think more wholistically to a life pathway, because that is the reality of any person’s life. We have not made use of the majority of organisations that could offer services for the position our family is in because we find that they are crisis centric. You need to be in meltdown as a family to recieve any attention! We aren’t. The forms that they require you to fill out constantly ask you how having a child with a disability has impacted you negatively; are you depressed about things, is your marriage failing - basically, how has your child ruined your life. It is really quite outrageous and insulting. I have actually been told by people in these organisations that if “I would just take to my bed and fall apart a bit,” they would be able to help us! As much as it hasn’t been the parental journey we anticipated, it has brought us joy beyond measure as we learn to look at what really counts in life, once all the bells and whistles are taken away. We would love to use some of these services, but I just wish we could say, “Here’s is our need, this would really be of fant astic benefit to our child.” Instead of needing to dsay, “Our life is so hard, my kids are a mess.”

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

• People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
• More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
• 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:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Employment support,
• Positive behaviour support and psychological services.

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

The system we have currently is clearly not working for the majority of the recipients. It seems a shame that so many tax dollars are going in and still there is a sense of discontent. A system that can be accessed almost like a home insurance policy where you can individually opt in or out of the areas that are of need to your particular disability seems so much more sensible. I think an NDIS is more likely to create more independent lifesytles for many and will help them be part of the community whether it is through employments etc. Also, how we treat the weakest members of a society and the value we place on

Submission

Them is a reflection of our society as a whole. If we show the “weakest” amongst us that they are of value by practically caring it will have a tangible impact on all of society. People know they will matter big or small.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Suzanne Hill