Date: Thursday, 17 January 2013 2:51:06 PM
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.
It takes way too long to be registered with Disabilities Service Commission. The criteria needs to be widened. You cannot access services if you are not registered with the DSC. I am still waiting to hear back from them, after lodging a form last year. We have written on the form at DSC, that my daughter be tested for Intellectual disability. I wish I knew this when she was 6! This is my second attempt. Apparently, Developmental Dyspraxia isn’t a disability with DSC in WA, but is in other states of Australia. My daughter has had genetic testing done last year and we have only just found out that she has Duplication 15q syndrome. My daughter has an extra chromosome and this is why she has dyspraxia. She was diagnosed with Dyspraxia when she was 6, she is 13 now. I have tried to get respite, but to no evail. Since my daughter was diagnosed, I haven’t had any respite was so ever. It is hard when your husband works away and you have one child with a disability and no support! The only support I have had is from Aidens Place, Geraldton. I have been attending the My Time Support Group for nearly 2 years. Julie Baker the Coordinator has been wonderful!
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
Better access to mainstream support and services, More rights for people with a disability, People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams, Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support, Access to reliable information about support options, Removal of age barriers to services for children
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
Therapy and allied health services, Education support (technology/services/equipment), Life-skills, Employment support, Recreation and community access, Support for families and carers, Flexible in-home/outside home respite, Crisis and emergency support
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
This is a positive step to ensure that a person with a disability is supported, whether it be through different services, community support or just be recognised that they too can contribute and make an impact on todays society. Being part of the community is so important.
I agree for my submission to be made public