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

Submission 167 - Supplementary Submission

To the Tribunal

I am writing this for my two adult sons who rely and thrive on the NDIS. Their names are

and . They live at home with my husband and me.

I find myself asking questions that I genuinely hope those making decisions, have considered.

Why is the Social and Community Participation budget even being considered for reduction?

When you see this budget line, do you also see the people behind it? Do you see my sons, or do you simply see numbers on a page?

Have we not learnt from the past? Have we not acknowledged the trauma caused when people with disability were excluded from society, hidden away, denied opportunities and treated as though their lives mattered less? If we know the lifelong harm that exclusion causes, why would we consider reducing the very supports that promote inclusion?

Shouldn’t we, as a society, be asking how we can better protect and strengthen opportunities for people with disability instead of looking for ways to reduce them to save money?

What does Social and Community Participation actually mean?

to my sons, it means having a life.

It means getting out of bed each morning with purpose. It means attending day options, volutneering, working towards employment, learning new skills, making friends, contributing to their community, exercising and experiencing the simple joy of belonging. these are the things that most Australians hope for in life.

what many people misunderstand is what this funding actually pays for.

it does not pay for my sons’ drinks, lunch, movie tickets, sporting activities, holidays, memberships or personal outings. they pay for those things themselves.

this funding pays for the disability-related support they need to access those opportunities. it pays for the support worker or therapist who helps them build independence, develop life skills, communicate with others, navigate the community safely, volunteer, attend activities, prepare for work and participate in everyday life.

how can someone participate in society if the support they need to leave their home is reduced or taken away.

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

Submission 167 - Supplementary Submission

Why should my sons be expected to accept fewer opportunities simply because they have a disability?

Why should they have fewer chances to work, learn, volunteer, make friends, contribute to their community and experience joy than any other Australian?

Can we honestly say that one group of people deserves less simply because providing equal opportunity comes at a cost?

What message does that send about the value we place on the lives of people with disability?

The true measure of our society is not how much money we save. It is how we treat those who need support to participate equally.

When this matter is decided, I hope you can answer one final question.

Did this decision make life smaller for people with disability, or did it protect their right to belong, participate, contribute and live a life filled with dignity, purpose and hope?

For my sons, and for thousands of other Australians like them, I sincerely hope it is the latter.

Thank you for your time

Sincerely