From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 11:34:13 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 daughter has a severe physical disability. I have no idea who would look after her if I was not able to. There are such long waiting lists for residential care/ community housing. Equipment is so expensive we are always having to top up funding. My daughter requires physiotherapy and Occupational therapy and speech therapy to be able to stay in mainstream education. And yet we get offered funding for other things we do not need. It is really hard to find funding to help us pay for that. I am looking for security so I know she will be supported as an adult. At the moment the disability system does not offer that.
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, People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams, 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:
Therapy and allied health services, Equipment and home/vehicle modifications, Life-skills, Recreation and community access, Support for families and carers, Accommodation options
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
This is an opportunity for our nation to be truly inclusive. We need to embrace our disability communities and make them feel cared for and respected. Not second class citizens. It is so demoralising having to beg, plead for everything they need.
I agree for my submission to be made public