National Disability Insurance Scheme

This email came to SCIA on how to help.

The Productivity Commission released their discussion paper yesterday. The paper summarises what the Commission sees as the important issues, and contains a series of questions to prompt discussion. People may choose to answer these questions in their written submissions and during public hearings.

There are a number of ways you can participate in the inquiry. You can make a formal submission or a presentation to the Commission at one of the public hearings. The guidelines for making a formal submission are available on the website below.

You can also make what is called a personal response – which is different to a formal submission. In a personal response you can choose to answer any or all of the questions in the paper based on your personal experience. The Commission will then compile all these responses into a single document. This is a shorter, more informal way to participate in the inquiry.

The issues paper contains a number of questions about a wide range of issues. It is important to remember that you do not have to answer all of the questions – just those which matter most to you. It is also important to remember that the Commission is most interested in what you would like to see in the future, rather than detailing all the ways the current system is failing. This inquiry is about a developing a blueprint for the future.

In addition to the issues paper, the Commission has produced an easy English version and a short summary document which covers the key questions. You can download all of these documents at: http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/disability-support

We suggest that you start with the short summary document, before you look at the main issues paper, which is long and complex, and then focus on the questions that are most relevant to you.

Submissions are due at the end of June.

The dates of the initial round of public hearings have also been set. Check out the link above and find out when the inquiry hits your hometown.

Remember this is your chance to change the future of people with a disability and their families in this country. Don’t miss this important opportunity to advocate for the kinds of reforms you would like to see.

And stay tuned for more information about the growing campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme and how you can become more involved.

Thanks again for all your support.

The NDIS Team

International Day of People with a Disability

In celebration of International Day of People with a Disability on December 3, I went along to a film screening of The Boys Are Back from the acclaimed director of Shine, Scott Hicks, starring Clive Owen, and inspired by a true story.

The screening was part of the Access All Areas Film Festival, presenting a program of Australian Features and Shorts across NSW, visiting Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Sydney. All films are audio described, captioned and wheelchair accessible, with introductions and Q&A sessions Auslan interpreted. The festival demonstrates how easy it can be to make cultural life accessible to all.

You must see this flick!! It gets 7.5/10 rating on the Internet Movie Database, and made me cry at the beginning and the end – learning a few life lessons on parenting along the way. It was really special to see a fully accessible screening, put on for free by the Access All Areas Film Festival organisers. It was preceeded by a panel discussion on how to enhance accessibility and inclusive practices in the film and TV broadcast industry, especially for those with sensory and auditory disabilities.

The Boys Are Back is a deeply moving, wryly confessional tale of fatherhood, which intimately evokes both the fragility and wonders of family life. It follows a witty, wisecracking, sportswriter (Oscar nominee Clive Owen) who, in the wake of his wife's tragic death, finds himself in a sudden, stultifying state of single parenthood. And, it’s out now in cinemas!

Pearl

Pearl Lee
Development Manager
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

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Walking into Walk On

My name is Rachel and I’m a 3rd year PR student. I joined Spinal Cord Injuries Australia in July 2009 as an intern assisting with public relations activities for Walk On. Being a Brissie girl, I got to spend a couple of months working out of the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association Gym in Bowen Hills, which is where the Brisbane Walk On pilot program has been operating.

I came to Walk On with little knowledge of SCIA, Walk On or spinal cord injuries, but what I have learnt in the four months I have spent with the organisation has been enough to change my outlook forever.

There are the obvious things I have learnt; complete vs incomplete injuries, injury classifications, the hospital process and types of accidents that cause spinal cord injuries; however, the most amazing thing I have learnt is that this exercise recovery program is making the most incredible difference to the lives of participants.

Working so close to the gym, I have met, watched and assisted clients in their training and heard a lot of the stories of the accidents that brought them to Walk On, but the best bit is hearing where they are going with their new abilities.

Joe Salu, the cheeky and lovable larrikin, has been able to return to work since completing his training to be a tower crane operator; Rhys Tappenden has become a dad for the first time, feeling confident in his ability to be a father to his beautiful little girl; and Nathan Handley, the daredevil-dude, has actually got back on his motorcycle, much to the horror of his poor mum.

What I’ve taken from all these incredible people and Walk On, is that it doesn’t matter what challenges people face, what others say, or what ‘the chances are’; because where there’s a will, there’s definitely a way.

Thanks for listening,

Rachel

Rachel Caton
Public Relations Intern
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

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