National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1754
NDIS Consultation Submission – Participant Response
- What does the NDIS mean for you right now?
The NDIS is essential to my daily life and independence. I live with cerebral palsy and am unable to drive, so I rely on funded supports to access the community and attend necessary therapies and health appointments.
My supports enable me to attend physiotherapy, podiatry, and the gym, where I maintain my mobility to prevent physical decline in the future. I also access support to travel to Canberra every three months for Botox treatments which treats my spasticity related to my Cerebral Palsy. These are reasonable and necessary supports that directly maintain my mobility and help prevent further physical decline, including the risk of requiring a wheelchair.
Through the NDIS, I have choice and control over my daily life. I am able to live independently in an SDA property, access medical care, and remain actively engaged in my community.
I highly value my independence and my connection to my local community in Pambula. With the assistance of support workers, I am able to participate in everyday activities, including walking my dog, Teddy. Maintaining these supports allows me to live a meaningful and self-directed life.
- How do you feel about the proposed changes to the NDIS Act?
I am very concerned about the proposed changes, particularly any reduction to funding for community access and support worker assistance.
These supports are critical for me to attend therapy and medical appointments and to remain socially and physically active. Without them, I would not be able to access the interventions that maintain my functional capacity, which means I will most likely need increased supports in the future and may require a wheelchair.
In addition to my therapies, I volunteer weekly at a local tourist information centre. This is an important part of my life and contributes positively to my mental health, social inclusion, and sense of purpose.
Any changes that reduce my supports would significantly impact my independence and ability to participate in my community, which is not consistent with the core principles of the NDIS.
I am concerned about the removal of an appeals process and of Support Coordination who are especially important in regional areas where services are limited and hard to access. With so many changes to the NDIA Support Coordination is becoming even
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1754
more important to assist me to correctly utilise my funding and to stay within my budget.
- Do you feel these changes have been explained clearly enough?
No, I do not feel the proposed changes have been clearly explained in an accessible way. I had to rely on a support worker to help me understand what the changes mean.
This raises concerns about whether people with disability are being supported to fully understand and participate in decisions that affect them, which is fundamental to informed choice and control.
There has not been enough community consultation or time provided for partipcants to truly assess how these changes will impact their lives.
- What would these changes mean for you, your family, friends, carers, or community?
Any reduction in funding would have a significant impact on my ability to access the reasonable and necessary supports that sustain my health and independence.
Without adequate support worker assistance, I would struggle to attend essential therapies and medical appointments, including physiotherapy, podiatry, gym programs, travel for Botox treatment, and use of a magnesium pool that supports my mobility.
These supports are preventative in nature and reduce the risk of functional decline and increased future supports.
I would also lose the ability to maintain my current level of community participation, including volunteering and social engagement. This would negatively affect my mental health and overall wellbeing.
Importantly, I am concerned that reductions in supports could put my independent living arrangement at risk. My home is important to me, and I feel safe and connected within my community.
- What would happen if your social and community supports were reduced or removed?
If my social and community supports were reduced or removed, it would have a serious and immediate impact on my life.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1754
I rely on these supports to access my community, attend appointments, and maintain my health. Without them, I would not be able to participate in key activities that support my physical and mental wellbeing.
The loss of these supports would increase my isolation, reduce my independence, and likely result in a decline in my mobility and overall functioning.
- What would happen if your capacity-building supports were reduced or removed?
My capacity-building supports are essential to maintaining my independence, mobility, and quality of life.
Without access to therapies such as podiatry, gym programs, the magnesium pool, and medical treatments, my physical condition would deteriorate. This would increase my reliance on higher levels of support in the future, which is inconsistent with the NDIS objective of building capacity and reducing long-term dependency.
I am also concerned about the mental health impact of losing these supports. I am a social person, and being unable to access my community would significantly affect my wellbeing.
Additionally, a reduction in supports could impact my ability to manage daily tasks within my home, placing my independent living arrangement at risk. My home and community are very important to me, and I want to continue living there safely and independently.
The NDIS currently enables me to live independently, maintain my mobility, and actively participate in my community. My supports are reasonable and necessary, preventative, and aligned with maintaining my functional capacity and quality of life and directly related to my disability.
Any reduction in these supports would result in a decline in my physical and mental health, reduced independence, and increased long-term support needs.
I strongly request that the NDIS continues to uphold its commitment to choice and control, social and economic participation, and the provision of reasonable and necessary supports that allow people with disability to live meaningful and independent lives and that we are provided with genuine consultation and time to consider these proposed changes.
28.05.2026-