From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 10:31:29 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.
My 8 year old granddaughter has CP. She is quadraplegic and will be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She does attend a mainstream state school and is a very bright student. Fortunately, she can communicate quite well and is a valued member of the student population at her school. As she ages her contribution to society in general will be just as valuable as that of any other child, as it should be.
However, the expense to provide the necessary therapy and equipment to give her a chance in life, is way beyond that which our family can provide. Although the current disability system is beneficial it doesn’t come close to what is needed. As a result my granddaughter does not have equality with every other Australian and her opportunities are extremely limited.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
More opportunities to participate in the community, More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare, Less red tape, with planning done locally by people who know their community
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
Equipment and home/vehicle modifications, Education support (technology/services/equipment), Support for families and carers
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
Every Australian should be treated equally. This scheme will ensure this happens for people with a disability regardless of how that disability occurred.
Discrimination against people with a disability will be minimised.
In the long term it is an economically sound investment for all Australians.
I agree for my submission to be made public