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

Attention: Committee Secretary, Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Submitted via email at community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au - June 1st, 2026 Dear NDis, We share both love and hate with you; we appreciate your efforts which allowed us back our lives including wheelchairs that fit well enough allowing shoe-wearing again or protecting feet safely while driving cars. The version most people know is about becoming successful Paralympian wheelchair swimmers like myself winning medals internationally despite having had disabilities since early childhood due to support from families who provided necessary equipment such hand controls needed during car rides along with lightweight manual wheelchairs enabling global travel through university education leading into professional careers outside workforces.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1735 - Supplementary Submission

was set up for me and I could use them. But then the business had to close down and I had to work for myself. This is an example of life without the NdIs. That was as a journalist who couldn’t really type or hold a phone to dial a phone number \who\ now trying to earn $7800fora co-payment towards apowered Wheelchair underthe state-based system at $.20 per word with alaptopinmybed.It tookmeyears.It’s another yearandahalfforth occupational therapist deniedto figure out howtocustomisethatWheelchairs “pinky”tomyn unusual anatomy, youseeIhaveacrooked spinewithscoliosisandyphosisbecauseIme paralysiswhenIwasyoungsoIdidnt havethemuscles help my body grow straight.That means Im can’tuseawheelcha ryoubuyofftheshefalandican’tdriveajoystick movethewheelchair because my arm can’ treachthere.But after alotoftrialandreerrorwehad awheelchairwitabackrest madeoutoaswimming pool noodle,sometapeancabletiesanda prototypeandsuddenlyback tome oldlife.Except foreoneproblem -thetchairweighedseveral hundredkg soitcouldn’tgo inmycar.WithoutNdifsunding andsupports itwas completelyup tometo learnaboutvehicle modificationbytravellingmodifiers,d oing alot ofInternet research thenstartaverylongfundraising campaign.Eventually,I managed tobuy a vehicle during the beginning modifications to havelift back sowe couldtransport me m y Wheelchair view havingthe being laidoutsuchway thatwouldbe ablegetconvertedSelfDrivefuture. 12 years socialisolation basically stuck home between not able goout beca use no wheelchair at allandthenonlytogo shortdistancesfromhomeinPower Wheelchairs. I learned buses arenotreallywheelchairaccessible.A ramp doesn’t equal wheel chair access when youhavebalance anda very heavy powered Wheelchair.The minute bus turns cornerorstopsstarts,flies out your Wheelchair &I\ rolling down aislebusbeing chased quickly byheavy strong powered Wheelchair which hitsallpassengers too on its way towards front thebusrampaftertryingthatcatcha bustothetrainstationto catch am trainsocouldatworkcapitalcity9am startrealise wasno longer safe The car Fundraiser my only option.It wasn’t until had NdIs funding though actually find people drive me This time period extremely socially isolating.Anybody did seehad ask favours friendships ran fast everything one-way asking help Friendships also dieoutwhen stopturn upyou’renotthereforweddingsbirthdaypartiesfuneralsYou’re just aren’t part family friendship group therefore don’ t get jokes about times things weren’ there. That’s why new creation called Ndis arriving in life changing couldn’t wait logistics entail but

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

Submission 1735 - Supplementary Submission

excited to get on with my life again after pressing a pause button. I arrived at the Ndls office on the first day it rolled out in my area and was the very first one to get a plan.I lived in the last place Australia that NDIs rolled out to because it rolled o ut postcode by post code .used lead up learn people already part system what would need came meeting prepared reports quotes needed completed entire workbook requested.

made sure everybody knew amazing powered Wheelchair “pinky” reached end lifespan.In fact,only before state based Mass medical aid subsidy scheme written cracked Chair.would’ve no wheelchair someone who couldn’t walk not been chance timing rolling onto which meant broken Wheelchair now property free risk using snapped half could still tentatively drive.We often hear Disabled are scared change why don’t approve changes legislation believe story shows nothing further truth We learn adapt overcome What’s ‘scared of change’? just agree if actually better instance referred decision took over year Make decided did replacement pinky cheaper alternatives reasonable necessary cost-effective letter about this mail month window appeal closed Because can’t type Support Worker paid nighttime rates stay night next immediately submission appeal decision reason writing because nothing will fix problems like that problem then didn’t stem from legislation stemmed rules operational guidelines staff training basically implementation Ndis areas finding most opportunity changing improving going forward. That significant set left me stuck bed several hours home three years couple city attempting resolve because I even got home.My experience with Ndls has life-changingly positive. Before the ndis Point care provided through nursing service patient. Couldn’t determine day week all time You didn’t necessarily have same nurse every time.I had

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

Submission 1735 - Supplementary Submission

complicated nursing needs in terms that when paraplegic has wound on bottom must shower first because dressing will fall off if not done so; then don’t want bear-wound dressing fallen after toilet routine as access is necessary via Nurse immediately afterwards. Companies couldn’t arrange this timing despite nurses agreeing it’s important but you’re subjectively managed by large government-block funded company where service quality isn’t guaranteed without say over management decisions or services provided; because system missed interview completely was late another one, couldnt attend induction students placed at non-profit Iran universities miss family gatherings etc., dropped out workforce due to Myself dropping out name few examples. in-home support no different also contracted single provider chose person day time needed assistance – work cooking cleaning washing collecting groceries mail One would think send someone with those skills But somebody tried boil egg water burning damaging saucepan Another hilariously tragic time read list said pot plants while stuck bed disability water plastic Christmas tree common sense not uncommon which my family had brought presents around put under ready for Christmas Day I could afford buy more gifts meant nobody anything Christmas all damaged. The attitude attempting resolve issues find something more workable such choose week can’t certain time created problems and damaged relationship Ndis provider. After met dear NDIS love life better spent nine years waiting NDIS exist help needed well hated teething new scheme wasn’t legislation level Now hire own workers get choice who coming cook do things need help post job ads compatible example working from home running small business doing Charity desire ex Journalist

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

Submission 1735 - Supplementary Submission

would understand completely why at the drop of a hat you might suddenly need to pivot from working on doing life administration and laundry to have my hair and makeup done and be assisted with getting lighting and a zoom set up immediately to be live on television within five minutes. A person who could, if we were out in the community in my line of work and I needed to talk to someone who was up flight stairs or on other side crowded room get through crowd bring me to me. • A huge barrier for me employ look neat presentable female because lost capacity lift arms above head wash hair discovered that salon two buildings up mine Hair handling apprentice practice their apprentice able spend funding had my hair washed dried straight once week That straightening it stays looking neat all those meetings media interviews. • I hired cleaner years expand her portfolio include additional support work There’s lot talking about getting registered providers share story show make safer despite not coming disability background Worker journalism post-graduate degrees cert III quick learner provided Training tasks she needs do qualified allowed train lady cleaning house gradually seen ability things decline understood inside living long faster brought speed again manual handling training use hoist Disability specific tasks introduced whole life She now logistics Team unit complex visitor car parking blocked construction building don’t even know issues Worker resolves solution staff they best suited Social participation headlines lot people having paid haircut movies cups coffee literally leaving October Let us change Ndis legislation until foundations accessible inclusive society have laid Yes, let’s make sustainable future generations by Reforming way runs rather than cost savings better outcomes

• Implementing the royal commission recommendations all 200 of them.
• Working out the logistical issues in NDIS operations instead of focusing solely on legislation, • Note: A recommendation states these must be implemented collectively; picking individual ones would fail.