Submission Regarding Proposed NDIS Reforms

To Whom It May Concern, I write this submission as a parent, carer, and advocate for three young people with classic disabilities and support needs. Our family lives every single day that we need help from others because our children have special needs due to being born premature or having other medical conditions such as cerebral palsy which affects movement control but not intelligence level (IQ). Our daughter has Down syndrome too so she is also affected mentally at times despite her IQ score falling within normal range when tested recently after several years since last test result was lower than expected given age difference between tests.

• Restrictions that may reduce community access, social participation, respite opportunities, and pathways toward independence and employment.
• Increased scrutiny creating fear and anxiety for participants and providers genuinely trying to do the right thing.
• Changes that may disproportionately impact young people transitioning into adulthood who require intensive support to build independence and avoid long-term institutionalisation.

Meaningful lives cannot be measured solely by clinical outcomes or cost containment.The NDIS was intended to support inclusion, participation, dignity, choice, independence,and the ability for people with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to society.For ouryoungpeople,this includesbeingabletoparticipateinactivities,buildfriendships, learn daily living skills , engage safely inthecommunity,pursue goalsand developpathways oward meaningful anda productive lives .These supports also directlyimpact my son’sabilitytooperateand participateinhismicro- businesswhich providesnotonlyskilldevelopmentandroutinebutalsopurpose, certainty,socialconnectionandan opportunitytocontribute tothecommunityinanmeaningf ulway.Without adequatesupport opportunitieslikethesecome significantly limitedorimpossible.Whensupports are reducedpeoplendot suddenlybecomeless disabled.Instead,families absorbtheadmptbehindclosed doors.Wealso ask decision-makers torecongicethe complexityof behavioural suppor tneeds. Manyparticipantsrequireconsistencyrelationship-basedsupporth structured routines skilled staffandsupervisiontoremain safe.Removingorreducingthesesupports canrapidlydestabiliseindividualsandplaceboth participantsand them communityat risk Thevoices of carers and families mustbegenuinely heardinthese reforms.

Weare not speaking from theory.Wear e speak ingfromlived experience—fromsleeples snights,crisismanagementadvocacyfatigueappointmentsbehavioral incidents emotionalexhaustion,and yearsspentfightingforappropriate support for our children We urge the Government ensure thatreforms: preserve participant choice control protect funding flexibility complex needs recognisestheessential role respite informalcarer sustainability maintain fundings communiy participation employment pathways microbusiness opportunities skill development meaningful productive engagement avoid overly restrictive interpretations supports Ensure psychosocial disability behavioral complexities properly understood supported reduce administrative complexity rather increase it Engage meaningfully with participants ,carers frontline providers before implementing significant changes.The success NDIS shouldnot be measured solely by reduc expenditure.Itshould bem easuredbywhether peoplewithdisabilitiesaresafermoreincluded more independent connected able to live lives dignity purposemeaning Our youngpeopledeserve opportunity Families like ours deserve ability continue caring without being pushed crisis.

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

Submission 1552

We ask that the Government carefully reconsider reforms that may unintentionally reduce squalityoflife,increasecarerburnout,limitopportunitiesforindependenceandmeaningful ccontribution,andcreategreaterlong-termsocialandeconomiccosts. Thankyouforsconsideringoursubmissionandalivedexperiencesoffamiliesnavigationgcomplexdisabilitysupporteveryday.

Yoursincerely, redacted OnbehalfofourfamilyandyoungpeoplewecareforthefamilyunitasIamextremelyconcernedaboutthissubmissionsaskcauseImtryingtohaveavoiceformyfamilyourturfutureplanswillbeadverselyaffectedthistisaverycommonfeelingamongstourcommunitythefeelingsofdread.ButInottryhavesvoiceforallmyfamilyandothers.Wehaveplansthworkperfectlyforourfamilyantolosethemwilcausetacatastrophiadeverseeffectstoourfamilyunit.