From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 10:35:01 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.
I come from a family with two physically disabled children (I am now 28 and my sister now 24). Growing up, our family’s experience with the disability support industry was largely negative. The current industry is unresponsive to needs, a quagmire of red-tape, confusing, inequitable and generally ineffective at achieving its aim of proving support to disabled people in order to allow them to live their lives in an independent and fruitful way.
My sister and I were lucky to have parents who were strong advocates for our rights and entitlements but not all people are so fortunate. In addition, the task of constantly fighting the system for 20 years wore my parents down and caused untold stress and anxiety. In a wealthy country such as Australia, it should not even be a question that disabled people have access to the best equipment, services and facilities available. It does not make sense to me that someone who acquires their disability in a motor vehicle accident obtains full funding for equipment and services while someone in our position who is born with a disability is left to fight for themselves.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support, 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, Support for families and carers, Case management, planning and coordination
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
A national approach to funding and allocation of funds and services is of paramount importance. A State by State system is simply not adequate as moving from one State to another State causes hassle and anxiety with different systems and procedures in place.
The NDIS will provide equal and adequate access to equipment, services and facilities and must be introduced as soon as possible.
Most importantly, the NDIS will provide a system where those vulnerable people without strong advocates (particularly children) are provided access to the services they deserve. In addition, those parents and other advocates who fight tirelessly for their children’s rights can hopefully relax in the knowledge each and every interaction with the disability industry will not be a fight.
I agree for my submission to be made public