2000faces

Today I met with the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, my local Federal Member for Wentworth, to discuss the National Disability Insurance Scheme campaign.

I shared the story of my family, the experience of growing up with my severely intellectually disabled brother, and the stories of frontline disability support work I’ve been doing over recent years.

One important issue is not just access to funding, but also the quality and appropriateness of support. Working as a disability support worker, one issue I’ve grappled with is supporting people with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities (with no mental impairment) simultaneously. Juggling two very different sets of needs is difficult for participants and staff alike.

I told Malcolm about how important funding support through the NDIS would be for my brother’s care - helping him and my family, physically, emotionally and financially.

Mr Turnbull pledged his support to continue campaigning for the NDIS and to continue applying pressure to the government to meet the current urgent needs in disability, in line with his statements on the Q&A program on disability in August.

It was a pleasure to meet Malcolm and his staff, and it’s great to have the support of someone so influential for the ongoing implementation of a policy that will change the lives of millions of people affected by disability for the better.

The Gillard government has pledged to implement the NDIS, but such a major reform takes time - the Productivity Commission has recommended a 7-year rollout period. With such a long period of implementation it’s important that we all maintain pressure on the government to ensure that NDIS doesn’t fall down the list of priorities.

Please join the Every Australian Counts Campaign today and help us keep moving towards a future where every Australian with a disability can receive the support they need.

Keep in mind, this campaign is not just for people with disabilities now, but anyone who might have an accident, develop an illness, or require care as they age.

The NDIS is not just for my brother’s future, or for my family’s future.

It’s for you and your’s too.