National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1351

I am writing on behalf of my son, , who was diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability when he was three, and, now 21, he remains a delightful person. The Wiggles are his biggest inspiration; from them, he gained an unbridled passion for singing and dancing, impersonations, music, and people. is the most loveable and joyous person I know, and he genuinely has such a curiosity for people and a yearning to connect with everyone he meets. He loves socialising on his own terms. Since he finished school in 2023, he has spent two and a half years living his best life, funded by the NDIS. Through his funding, he has been able to spread his infectious joy throughout our community and his quality of life has been as positive as any other young school leaver entering their early twenties. Thanks to the NDIS, has been able to maintain each of the five dimensions of health through his day program at SCOPE, his supported employment at McCallum and his various therapies. Mentally, ’s ability to deal with changes and process instructions has improved, and from his day program classes, he is a better cook than most other young men I know! Physically, is able to go to the gym and swimming with a group of his peers, and he has expressed how good it feels to be getting stronger and fitter. Emotionally, has really developed his ability to tell us about how he feels and share what is making him upset. Socially, is able to connect with so many people through his volunteering at a local op shop, with a support worker from SCOPE, facilitated by his NDIS day program. He greets every single customer with a huge smile and an enthusiastic chat, and organises displays to look “gorgeous!”, making him a valued member of the volunteering team. Spiritually, ’s supported employment has given him a sense of purpose and fulfilment, coming home to announce how many boxes he has packed that day, and he is very proud that he now does a full working day every week. will never be able to drive a car, get married, understand bills or tax, or earn a living working a regular job. He still deserves to live a full and happy life like anybody else, and we truly appreciate what the NDIS has done for him. He has been able to grow and learn and build his skills, but his learning will be lifelong, and he will always need support to generalise and reinforce these skills. His disability is lifelong and has NO cure. The proposed tightening of plans, particularly in the area of social and community areas, would be incredibly detrimental to ’s life in all the important ways. He would become isolated, lonely, and lose his sense of purpose, and the community would sorely miss his wonderful, bright presence. My husband and I are both aging parents and truly worry about what will become of if his NDIS funds are reduced any further. People with disabilities belong out in society, in the workforce, and in our recreational spaces. The proposed legislation slashing funding and removing thousands of people from accessing the NDIS will make this financially and logistically impossible for many regular Australians and their families. has already had cuts to his plan this year and we, like many others, cannot afford to pay

for the services (none of which are currently available) out of our own pocket. We are completely dependent on the NDIS for to thrive. The initiative was brought in to provide choice and control to these individuals and families who couldn’t access the same opportunities as non-disabled people, and these cuts will remove exactly that. People like will have no choice but to sit at home, watching the world go by without them, supported by the parents, which is not what Australia in the future should look like. As it stands, the proposed amendment threatens each and every person that has, like , been able to thrive under this system and be as active in their community and fulfilled in life as anybody who lives without a disability. Please re-consider the NDIS Amendment Bill, and keep allowing and so many others like him to live their best lives and contribute to our Australia. We have so many intelligent and empathetic disability advocates who could have been involved in making the new legislation work for everyone. Remove the criminals from the system, for sure, but don’t punish disabled people who are just trying to live their best lives.