NDIA Accountability Project

This project is in DRAFT

Preventing harm and maintaining workforce participation through disability supports (Participant experience)

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

Submission 1871

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee

Re: Proposed NDIS Reform Legislation and Integrity Measures

Submitted by Social Worker, Behaviour Support Practitioner, Provider and NDIS Participant Introduction My name is redacted . I feel there is growing gap between conversations happening Parliament what actually happens lives. support accountability safeguards make sure sustainable future concern current discussion assumes if supports reduced restricted harder access need somehow disappears well does happen remain consequences pushed elsewhere years worked experienced homelessness domestic violence exploitation neglect mental health crises hospital admissions involvement child protection justice systems watched incredible progress received right time My Perspective as Both a Participant and Practitioner: disability supports often discussed optional extras experience professionally personally physical disability receive about luxury recreation convenience help get medical appointments manage disability safe home continue participating workforce without those support greater risk injury fall frequently many tasks become unsafe alone having available not making life easier preventing harm also reason able work allow contribute community pay tax run business other people with disability disappeared impact would stop clients my business husband ability keep working sector experiencing significant pressure

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission: Securing NDIS Future Generations Bill 1871

Nobody accessing disability supports just because of fun; most need them survive/safe/keep housing/manage their condition/participate.

Need Does Not Disappear

When disability supports reduced: persons still require help shower/shit manage continence attend medical appointments regulate distress maintain housing stay safe instead present emergency departments mental health homeless police child protection justice system This not efficient way public expenditure nor humane. The Royal Commission documented widespread violence/neglect/exploitation experienced persons with disabilities Australia made recommendations systemic reform (Disability Royal Commision). Any NDIS reforms should tested whether make safer included able live dignity.

Women Children Domestic Family Violence I am particularly concerned about impact these reforms have on women children.

Women already at increased risk abuse exploitation Australian Institute Health Welfare identifies people with particular women as population group heightened in relation family domestic sexual violence AIHW . The Royal also heard extensive evidence about violence neglect exploited disabled women girls (Royal Commision). This is why deeply concerned reduction to social community participation. These often misunderstood primarily social reality act protective factors support workers allied professionals services notice something wrong may identify abuse coercive control neglect deterioration mental health escalating risks when isolated opportunities early intervention reduce professional experience. Social isolation rarely neutral increases vulnerability reduces safeguarding advocacy and support.

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

Submission 1871

At a time when governments are publicly stating that they are prioritising women’s safety, disability policy must be part of that conversation. Women’s safety cannot be separated from access to support, community connection, independence to practical resources that allow people \to\tremain-safe.

Mental Health,Suicide Riskand Crisis Systems The mental health system is already under pressure.My concernis reducing disability supportswill push more into crisis systemsnot equipped meet need.Many participants rely onNDISsupports routine emotional regulation psychosocial stability communityconnectionandsupport manage daily life.When thoseare removedor reducedpeople do suddenly become well independent Manybecome isolated distressed unsafe.I am concerned these reforms may increase risk factors associated self-harm suicidality psychiatric admissions hospital presentations and homelessness Iam saying this as theoretical point because see deteriorate when delayed cut made inaccessible One issue have found particularly distressing growing sense hopelessness within partsdisabilitycommunity Over recent months seen increasing discussions social media had conversations with in professional practice expressing fear about what their future look like if lose essential supports Some spoken feeling rather die than live circumstances unable basic needs remain safe maintain theirhealth participate meaningfully communities want clear concerns not arising because people disability They arise afraid losing current allows dignity independence reasonable quality life As both practitioner personwith disability find heartbreaking Whether fears ultimately eventuate or fact numbers disabled are despair wanting Voluntary Assisted Dying express hopelessfearfuture should deeply concerning policymakers Public policy give people for the future It leave wondering whether able survive

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

Submission 1871

The following case example is shared with the participant’s informed consent. She specifically wanted her experience included because she feels she has not been heard. This participant lives with multiple disabilities, including physical disability, autism, inTELlectual impairment,mobility impAIRment AND continence NEEDS.She IS A wheelchair userand requires substantial Support FOR transfers,toileting ,continence management,showerING And daily Living . Duringa Planning process SHE was reportedly told that one OF Her disAbilities had “expired”, despite continuing TO require awheelchairAnd Physical supporT.Her plan WAS significantly reduced.FollowIng this HER healthAND functioning deteriorated.HER adjustable bedANd wheelCHAIR Was broken and unreplaced,andShe spent extended periods livingandsleepIng in a reclinerin soiled Continence aids.BecauseShE Onlyhad limited support hoursdespite significant contiNcence needs,SHEwas frequently unable to access appropriate toileting, showering or hygiene SuppORT outside those Hours.This ledto deterioration INherphysicalhealth,MObIlity,FunctIonal capacity,mental wellbeingAnD independence.HEr familyhas also experienced signIfICant vulnerability INCLUDING abuse AnDVIOlencETHe impacts ofthe reducEd supportsextended beyondHer anDaffectedshe r childwhoalso required additionalsupport duetodistressanDHarmexperienced duringthis period.The matter has not yet reached afinal outcome at the Administrative Review Tribunal.After approximately 13 months navigating reviewandrobunal processes she received an interimplan with substantially increasedsuppoRthours. This suggestsThe originalplandidnot adequately reflect her actual Supportneeds but by The timeintermSupportswere restoredsignificant harmhAD already occurred.She wasunabletO accesS legal aidSupPOrts whileliving InQueenslandAnd onlyobtainedin freelegal assistanceafterrelocatingtocanberra.TThis raises serious concerns about unequalaccess tOAdvocacy And legalsupporT depending on wherea participant lives.

Advocacy and Access To Justice

I am deeply concernedabout underfunding andreductionofdisabilityadvocacyservices.Many participantscannot safelyoreffecTIvelynavigate planning disputes ,complaints, reviews,safeguardingconcernsandtribunallproceedingswithoutindependent advocacy.This is especially truefor peoplewith intellectual disability,psychosocial disAbility

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

Submission 1871

trauma histories, communication barriers, cognitive impairment, domestic violence experiences or significant functional impairment. If participants cannot access advocacy or legal support, they may abandon appeals, supports, deterioration, provider administration and crisis escalation. Public Discourse, Ableism and “No One Left Behind” The public discourse around the NDIS has become deeply harmful.

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

Submission 1871

If the national commitment is that no one should be left behind, then disabled women, children, families and people with complex needs must not be the ones asked to carry the burden of reform. Recommendations I ask the Committee to recommend that:

  • [NDIS reforms]are progressed without meaningful consultation with people witth disability,families ,frontline worker s,p rovidersanddisability representative organisations . Participant choice control remain central scheme consistent Australia’s obligations under United Nations Convention on Rights Persons Disabilities(United Nations). No reduction community participation,support worker access capacity-building supports occurs proper assessment DFV safeguarding family violence risks. disability advocacy legal support services urgently sustainably funded across all states territories. NDIA planners delegates receive mandatory disability-informed trauma- informed and safeguarding training. Planning decisions give appropriate weight allied health evidence functionalcapacity real-world risk. Complaints systems independently reviewed ensure timely accessible trauma informed. The government recognises disability supports as preventative infrastructure reduces pressure hospitals mental health systems family violence services child protection homelessness justice systems. Conclusion I support reform. accountability.safeguarding. What do not support agenda appears reduce support before addressing systemic problems already causing harm. n need disappear when support removed simply reappears elsewhere often after deteriorated broken down crisis become involved. asked Committee listen disabled families providers frontline workers consequences these decisions.

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

Submission 1871

Thank you for considering my submission.

Reference List