National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Submission 238

to the Senior Clerk,

I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes that are being proposed to the NDIA/NDIS scheme and this has been very stressful. As a participant of the NDIS for the past four years I have been able to negotiate with the support of my MS Support Co- oridinates and Occupational Therapist for the services I require to support my medical needs and if necessary appeal any decision made that I did not agree with. If this new system comes into effect this will not be possible, it would not be allowed.

Under the proposed bill it will not allow for a Whole of Person Approach, this will impact me as I now have multiple medical conditions and I would like to remain fully funded.

The proposed plan would not allow me to appeal or request a review of my plan should any of my needs assessments require change. This will increase my overall health and living stress levels.

Changes to the Broad Powers to require assessments. These will be harder to obtain a fair representation for participants as no two individuals are the same, each person who has Multiple Sclerosis requires different levels of care and treatment tailored to their specific needs and cannot be bundled into the same category.

Limits on Support and Spending. This will not be a solution for the NDIA as this will reduce all of the participants ability to have ‘choice and control’ which has been the main reason for this scheme in the first place.

Under the new system it would give the NDIA greater powers to control how my budget would be managed and potentially raise debts if they felt the funds were being misused. I already keep a check on each bill I receive from my individual service providers and query any discrepancies with my Plan Manager.

Please do not allow any of these proposed changes to the NDIA scheme.

Thank you and kind regards, Janet Unterrheiner