By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
PEOPLE are being asked to contribute their views on how a National Insurance Disability Scheme could work in Victoria.
The State Government and many user groups say the NDIS will set a high benchmark for disability services so that any individual, family member or carer can access the same level of high quality disability support across the country.
As part of the budget release, the Federal Government will provide $1 billion over four years for the NDIS.
The first stage of a NDIS will begin in mid-2013 and will provide care and support to around 10,000 people with significant and permanent disabilities in up to four locations across the country.
Healesville mum Judy Flarherty says under the current system, once her daughter Chantal turned 25 there was little funding out there to support her.
“Chantal needs 24 hour care and it took me eight jobs before I got funding to support work,” she said.
“Chantal and I have been on our own for 30 years and my respite is three days a month I get a break.”
Now 35, Chantal would love to live out of home in a place with 24 hour care.
“She’s been at the top of a wait list for accommodation…we want a cluster house for her but living independently she’ll still need someone there to keep her safe,” Ms Flarherty said.
Melba Support Services CEO Glenn Foard says it will be individuals such as Chantal who will benefit from the new system.
The Mount Evelyn based disability organisation supports about 160 people across the Yarra Valley
“I have every sympathy for families and individuals who struggle to understand the current system,” he said.
“The current system is described as a maze and there’s no reason for it to be like that.”
He said under the NDIS an individual who needs support will receive funding accordingly.
“I’m sure there will still be administration but the core idea is as simple as that,” he said.
“People will be a bit shocked but also hopefully pleasantly surprised.”
Mr Foard said it would mean that age wouldn’t play a factor in funding allocation.
“A person’s support needs would be assessed, an allocation of funding would be made and then they will make decisions on how they can live the best life,” he said.
Mr Foard said one centralised agency across the country, to be called the National Disability Insurance Agency, would be responsible for ensuring there is a good dissemination of information.
“People can only make good decisions if they’ve got all the information, and as one agency it will be a lot easier to get information out to the people who need it,” he said.
Although the Victorian Coalition hasn’t announced funding for the scheme, it is seeking feedback on the first draft of the national standards for disability services.
People can access the online survey through www.surveymonkey.com/s/NSDS.
Written submissions are being accepted until 15 June 2012 to the Department of Human Services.
How it works
* The productivity commission found 410,000 Australians needed the
support of a National Disability Scheme.
* This funding ($1.1 billion) will help 10,000 people in the first
year, and another 20,000 in the next year over four sites across the
country.
* Half of the funding will be used to create infrastructure for the
scheme, and this includes setting up IT, training staff and other set
up costs.
