Submission

• What does the NDIS mean for you right now? Right now, the NDIS has meant that my child can access services they needed. When started with Scheme in approximately year 2017, she was initially accessing Speech Therapy & Occupational Therapies. Since then funding broadened including social/communities participation funds allowing development independence and building skills attending dance classes etc., The latest addition to plan has been SLES (Finding Keeping Job) previously known as SLES funding which gave her social connection during work experience program eventually leading into supported employment at end school year without these supports our child would have languished disengaged from learning likely life isolation reliance on Government handouts thanks to NDIS tailored support giving amazing opportunities represented country all abilities dance competition hope experiences will help discover passions find opportunities supporting passion.

changed if anything certain aspects her disability means these impacts increasing relative same aged peers Why then must progress through another assessment determine she eligible Scheme why this government placing families participants emotional rollercoaster discuss impact their disability How participant intellectual disability understand explain impacts their disability upon lives Do you feel changes been explained clearly enough? No still not fully aware those changes Keep seeing social media posts varying sources MPs disability organisations news media etc do know believe Understand funding levels being reduced 2031 levels also understand eligibility scheme resulting least paricipants deemed ineligible though figure disputed greater number Those participants would moved lesser scheme managed States History shows service provision left States becomes political football poor quality service lack choice participants This reason NDIS created first place Aware other changes inevitably affect daughter What would these changes mean your family friends carers community We already feeling current changes My daughters supported employment program ceased As programs disappear so opportunities our daughter Am faced very real prospect having leave full-time work support daughter Recently returned full-time work daughters attendance at supported employment program transitioning out school meant could return workforce Enjoy enjoy looking forward build superannuation prepare retirement Being forced to leave my employment care for daughter will me no longer contributing society paying taxes rather seeking government assistance keep roof over head food table

• What would happen if your social and community supports were reduced or removed?

A characteristic of our daughter’s disability is her enthusiasm for social connection, empathy and community. Withdrawing those elements will increase her levels of anxiety and isolation. it is widely known that teens and adults with Williams syndrome often experience social isolation,

• What would happen if your capacity building supports were reduced or removed — or if you never had access to them in the first place?

We are experiencing firsthand the impact upon the Finding and Keeping a Job funding and service delivery which falls under Capacity Building Supports. The loss of ORCA program due current NDIS changes means it’s been significant unique program filling major gap provision Brisbane.

The reason closure was given us below:

“the environment is becoming increasingly complex rising costs, going on changing models compliance regulations making long-term sustainability challenge across entire sector.” This quote from letter provider Wesley Mission. This will leave more than families without SLES/work skills training supports young people broadly there severe lack suitable available young people very few specialized focused support same ORCA offers this vital project provided important skills daughter transition school post pathways integral part our daughter’s planning something Queensland schools. ORCA filled critical gaps because few genuinely combine skill development community engagement direct into open employment align closely Government Disability Employment Strategy Employ My Ability framework both focus supporting with disability meaningful careers employment choices currently structure meant insufficient funds sustain staffing deliver effective outcomes however dedicated roles simply cannot be replicated many disabilities languish day programs outings workers make no real progress lives towards employment better quality life brings Effective employment requires staff who can identify opportunities match participants strengths interests employers provide ongoing assistance ensure sustainable employment We already know broader DES/IEA struggled consistently delivering meaningful for services recently lost funding.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1467

ORCA is one of the few services currently delivering genuine outcomes in this space, and losing it will represent a significant setback for participants, families, and the disability employment sector more broadly. We had to heavily advocated with our NDIS Planner to ensure out daughter received the full Finding and Keeping a Job funding. We were originally told we would have topay the gap in funding. Something we were unable to do.Is this the future for thenNDIS? An insurance scheme like the private health sector where the gap fee issoprohibitive that families do not access the care or support they need?This istherewhere Ifear the scheme is beingpushed.