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

Submission #1425

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1425

Submission 13 My name is [redacted]. I am a late-diagnosed autistic woman, former mental health nurse, and single mother of two neurodivergent children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2, with additional complex support needs including ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, and learning disabilities. I homeschool my children to meet their educational and support needs.

I strongly oppose the proposed NDIS changes, particularly:

• the proposed 50% reduction in social and community participation funding from October 2026,
• changes undermining self-management requiring workers’ registration as registered providers,
• and powers under section 34A allowing fund reductions without adequate appeal mechanisms.* The NDIS has been critical building our children’s capacity; these supports develop functional emotional &,social skills needed long-term independence meaningful engagement within communities.My eldest daughter was identified developmentally different at age three but did not receive ASD level diagnosis until later years.Like many families we experienced lengthy delays extensive assessments significant financial costs before accessing support.Her disability impacts daily functioning across regulation executive function learning social interaction.Long term goal both children increased independence reduced reliance on disability supports adulthood outcome only achievable through early consistent capacity-building supports including social €community participation throughout childhood.I strongly oppose this proposal reducing by half social €community participation funds.For autistic participants such involvement essential for developing practical life communication public safety skills ability safely function within environment.Reducing these will increase isolation family burnout mental health deterioration long-term support needs.The proposal also fails recognize that presentations vary significantly even same diagnoses.Both my children diagnosed with Level yet their support needs differ substantially approach implementation.Standardized assessment models risk excluding whose needs do rigid criteria fail to support individuals according their communication needs,functional capacity cognitive profile.Furthermore absence clear detail regarding aspects proposed reforms creates unnecessary uncertainty participants and increases the risk inappropriate decision-making harmful outcomes.

I also oppose changes undermining self-management or requiring workers’ registration as registered providers.Self management allows parents choose safe flexible experienced appropriate child’s needs.Many autistic rely heavily consistency trusted

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1425

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 13 text relationships. It allows flexibility in choosing independent workers suited to participants without lengthy wait times intervention. independent support workers are essential many families increased registration requirements reducing workforce availability increasing costs removing participant choice control principles original built upon strongly oppose proposed powers under section that allow funding reductions or changes adequate review appeal rights disability decisions must remain transparent reviewable Participants should right provide evidence understand affecting supports access independent processes As needs capacity change over time supports funding adjusted collaboratively ensure used effectively appropriate while remaining aligned goals Removing safeguards creates instability places vulnerable at risk losing essential supports procedural fairness The was designed around equity individualised community participation These proposed moves away from those principles causing significant long-term harm disabled Australians their families urge Government meaningfully consult with disabled carers and families including through submissions such this one before implementing reforms reduce support increase isolation creating greater social economic costs do not propose changes NDIS reduce social community participation undermine self-management reliance standard assessment models believe these cause significant harm vulnerable undermines core purpose enabling people live meaningful connected dignified lives within communities Supports together ongoing care have given children opportunity build enriching life independence community participation deeply grateful provided through hope remains appropriately funded accessible like mine Thank you reading Kind regards