From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 10:59:15 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 work for a Disability Services organisation - I can’t count the number of phone calls I have taken from families desperate to find accommodation or assistance for someone in their family. Finding good, caring, accommodation for a loved one with a disability seems to be as difficult as it is to find it for an elderly family member who can no longer be cared for at home. People who reach this point, where they can no longer give the necessary care at home, are usually distressed by having to make this decision, and physically and mentally exhausted by the effort required to be a full-time carer. Older parents who have cared for a disabled child into adulthood, have the extra burden of knowing that they need to make the best decision for their child so that , if anything happens to them, the child they love will be safe and happy. Surely we owe these heroes our total support and a system which makes life simpler and easier for them. We owe people with a disability in our communities, a life which is meaningful, happy and where they are afforded the same dignity and opportunities as anyone else.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, More opportunities to participate in the community, 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:
Recreation and community access, Accommodation options, Crisis and emergency support
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
The NDIS is raising awareness in the general community of the rights and needs of people with disabilities. Most of the general public have no contact at all with people with disabilities, and the fear of “saying or doing something wrong”, creates an awkwardness which is difficult to overcome. The more awareness there is, and the more community participation for people with disabilities, the more the general public will be able to connect and interact. Surely a good thing for everyone? Everyone has a contribution to make to society, disabled or not. Let all of us be aware of this, by giving support to anyone who needs it to achieve their potential.
I agree for my submission to be made public