Sarah Butler
Which of the following statements best describes you?
- I’m a person with disability
Question 1:
What matters most to measure and report on as we seek to achieve inclusive and accessible communities for people with disability?
NDIA staff to include people with disabilities in the decision making process at all times. Accessible communities with regular transport that is affordable for people with disabilities to get around freely and participate in the community. Access to communication and information networks. People with disabilities being communicated to in the same way they communicate. If a person communicates using AUSLAN, a language other than English, a communication device or any other form of communication the people in the community and those around the people with disabilities should be responding back the same way that person with a disability is communicating to them.
Question 2:
What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve economic security for people with disability?
People with disabilities should not be living in poverty and with increases to medical expenses the Disability Pension should increase inline with the increase to medical expenses and other living costs.
Question 3:
What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve health and wellbeing outcomes for people with disability?
More sessions funded for people with disabilities to see an allied health professional like a psychologist at the moment anyone who is not an NDIS participant and who is not eligible for the NDIS can only see a psychologist with a referral from a specialist or GP and cab only get 10 sessions a year. If a person was to go weekly to see a psychologist those 10 sessions would run out quickly and then the person with a disability has to wait 12 months before their specialist or GP can write another referral for them and refer them to a psychologist. While those who are eligible to access the NDIS and who are existing NDIS participants have no limitations on the number of sessions they have with a psychologist or any other allied health professional. At present the NDIS system works better for people who need to see a psychologist, speech therapist or any other allied health professional.
Question 4:
What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve rights, protection, justice and legislation outcomes for people with disability?
Feeling safe to travel during the day and at night. Many people with disabilities will not travel at night as it is not safe and unless there is someone to bring them home after the event they have no choice other than to miss out on attending that event on the night due to no one being available to take them home after the event or no cab charge vouchers being given to people with disabilities due to the event being held at nighttime.
Question 5:
What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve learning and skills outcomes for people with disability?
More funding for TAFE, University and Higher Education this will allow people with disabilities to receive the support required to study at TAFE and have more courses funded under smart and skilled.
Question 6:
What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve personal and community support outcomes for people with disability?
Minimise gaps between mainstream services and the NDIS including education, employment, housing, justice system etc. There needs to be a partnership between the NDIA and each of the mainstream services areas to clarify what the NDIS will and won’t fund with each of the mainstream areas.
Question 7:
How often would you like to see progress against the outcomes for people with disability in the National Disability Strategy and the National Disability Insurance Scheme reported?
Monthly.
Question 8:
Is there anything else that you think should be considered when we are monitoring and measuring the impact of activities on people with disability?
NDIS participants should be able to access their NDIS funding to participate in mainstream services as the mainstream services do not have any funding for people with disabilities to participate and be included like everyone else.