From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 10:33:11 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 daughtert is severely physically disabled. Whenever there is an issue with equipment ie wheelchair, shower chair etc. the process is very very long. For example with her last wheelchair, from the time the referral was submitted to actually having the completed wheelchair, was 2 1/2 years!! She is at present having trouble with her feet, due to her spasticity, but splints & orthopaedic shoes are not covered by government fundung, as she does not weight bear or walk. But she will eventually have a lot of pain!! The cost can be massive, & when you only get a pension it is impossible. A couple of years ago we purchased a modified vehicle which cost $38,000 for vehicle & $24,000 for conversion. We had to borrow $62,000 against our mortgage! Supported accommodation in the future is a huge worry. My daughter is 26 years old & I am turning 58 this year. Within the next 5 years I would be looking for accommodation, but don’t know if there will be a place & hopefully accommodate her needs. The future is a huge concern!! Flexibility in respite for people with high support needs. We have not spontanaity in our lives, everything needs to be preplanned. Simplifying paperwork when a person has been diagnosised as severe & always to remain dependent on others, they should be “red flagged” amongst all government agencies ie Centrelink, Adhc etc.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person, Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
Equipment and home/vehicle modifications, Accommodation options, Flexible in home/outside home respite
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
I support the NDIS to hopefully give some flexibility to support people like my daughter & our family. She is disabled through no fault of her own or ours & deserves to have quality of life. It would hopefully give some hope for the future. I feel it would save money in the long run, as there seems to be a doubling up of some agencies & spending. Also, so much beaureaucracy.
I agree for my submission to be made public