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

Submission 1973

Submission Regarding Proposed Changes to the NDIS Act

Introduction

I am a person living with permanent physical disability and Autism, as well as a parent aising two children with disabilities. The NDIS has allowed me to maintain independence, manage my health, care for my family, and participate in my community in ways that would otherwise do not be possible. I am not asking for luxury or special treatment — I am asking for the supports that allow me to live safely, parent my children, and participate in society. The supports I receive are not luxuries or optional extras. They are essential supports that prevent deteriorationinmyphysicalandanmentalhealthandallorem ocontinue functioning safetlyan independently. IamdeeplyconcernedthattheproposedchangestonedisActwillsignificantlyreduce theroicecontrol,and support available topplleivingwithpermanentdisabilities.I believe these changes risk creating greater hardshipfor participants an families while increasing pressure on Australia’s already overstretched healthcare system. What does then DIS mean forn you right now? For mme,theNDISmeansindependence,dignity,paticipation,and survival. WithoutthenDIS,mypysicalconditionwoulddeterioratesigntantlyandiowouldmost likelybecomeconfined towheelchair.The therapiesandsupportsICurrentlyreceivehelp me maintaimobility,managpainfatigue,and continuefunctioningasa parent anda member ofthecommunity. As a mother with adisabilityraising twochildrenwiddisabilitiesthe NDIS has also provided criticalsupportformyfamily.SUPPORTworkershaveenabledmddaughters to particiapinthecommmunityduringperiodswere have been physically unabletodrive too unwellorintoomuch paintosupporthem myself. Theseexperienceshavelpdmymddughtersbuildconfidence,independanceand social connection.Then NDISHasnotonlysupportedmypshicalhealthbutalso my children’s emotional wellbeing and opportunities ttparticipate in everyday life Withoutthesesupporsmy family’squalityoflife woulddeclinesignificantly How doyou feel about the proposedchanges tonedisAct? Ibelievethe propoed changesremovethe core principles choice an control that th NDIS was originally built upon.

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

Submission 1973

The proposed reforms would give the NDIA greater power to decide what supports can access, while making it harder participants can’t input into decisions about their own bodies. daily lives. The changes around “reasonable necessary” create uncertainty fear for participants who rely on therapies maintain functioning independence. supports that prevent deterioration may no longer recognised funded same way. The increased assessment evidence requirements also concerning people lifelong medically established constantly justify creates emotional stress financial pressure trauma families These do not make feel supported they like disability lived experience being questioned Do you these have been explained clearly enough? No believe proposals clear explanations affected them Many living disabilities confused fearful removed qualify legislation new How will be made under While government wants address fraud misuse system genuine should negatively impacted elsewhere in process properly consulted throughout those best explain truly essential real-world impacts of these changes What mean this change your community? The significant reduce ability manage health participate life If are reduced delayed denied due tighter funding rules reassessments I struggle attend medical appointments physiotherapy hydrotherapy daily activities My husband need take time away work family responsibilities care assist transport tasks.

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

Submission 1973

• I would be forced to push my body beyond its physical limits, causing increased pain, fatigue,* injury*,and deterioration in my condition. Thiswouldcreateacycleofworseninghealth,increasedrelianceonhospitalsandspecialists,andgreateremotionalandfinancialstrainonyourfamily. TheproposedlegislationappearsfocusedonsReducingcostsinthe shortterm,butin reality,reducingpreventativesupportswilllikelyincreaselong-term coststothe healthcaresystem throughavoidabledeterioration,hospitalisation ,anda crisiscare .What woul d happen if your social anda nd community supports were reduced or removed?Ifmysociala nndcommunitysupports werereducedorremoved,Iwouldbecome increasinglyisolated anddependent onyour family.Thesepo pportsallow me tore mainconnectedtothecommunity,maintain independence,a ndcontinueparticipatingineverydaylife despite mydisability.W ithouttheseso pports: -myphysical a ndmental he althwoulddecl ine, -m yf amilywo uldexperienceincrease dp ressurean dstress, a ndm ya bilitytopartici pa tinsociety wo uldbesignificantly reduc ed. Removingcommunitiesupp otsdoesnotremovedisabilit iesimplyshiftstheburden onto families,carers an the healthcaresystem.What would h appe nif you rcapacitybuilding supp ort swere reduce da or remove db ?Without capacity building suppor tsmy physicalfunction ingwou ldde teriorteto th e point whereIwouldlik ely become wheelchair dependent.I relyonweekly physiotherapyhydrother apya ndoccupational therapy tomaint ain mobilitymanagepainandprevent furtherphysicall decline Thesetherapie are not temporarytreatments-theyareongoingsupports that allowmecontinu esafelyindependently.Theproposedchangescreateuncertaintyaboutwhetherthesesuppo rtswill continue tonecessary underthenewlegislation.Withouts these therapies andthe support requiredattend them ,myqualityofl ife woul ds ignificant ly decrease .The pain,fatigue,andphy si callimitation Icurrentlymanag ew ou ldbecomeoverwhelming a ndthelife Ihavebuiltfor myselfa nyfamilywo uldnolonger besustainable.W hat would there proposed changes definition of“per manence”mean foryou?Theproposedchangestodefinitiono f “ permanenc ”aresdeeplyconcerning.

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

Submission 1973

I have already undergone extensive medical assessments, treatments, and specialist input. My conditions are permanent and lifelong. I live with a genetic condition that cannot be cured or removed. I am also Autistic, which is a lifelong neurological condition. The idea that participants may be required to attempt every possible treatment before being recognised as permanently disabled is unrealistic, harmful, and disconnected from the realities of living with disability. Not all treatments are accessible, affordable, available locally, or medically appropriate. Requiring people to continually pursue treatments simply to prove eligibility places unnecessary stress and burden on people who are already managing complex disabilities. Permanence should recognise the reality of lifelong conditions and the expertise of qualified medical professionals who have already provided evidence of disablement.

Conclusion

I ask the government to reconsider these proposed changes to the NDIS Act and genuinely listen to the voices of people living with disabilities,families,carers,and support networks.The NDIS has allowed me to livewith dignity,independence ,and purpose.Ithas enabled meto manage mydisability.raisemychildren.participate in m y community .And avoid greater relianceonthe healthcare system.Reducing access totessential supportsor creating additional barriers toreceiving them will not improve outcomes for peop lewit h disabilit ies.Instead.it risks increasing physical deterioration.mental health impacts.familiystress.social isolation.and long-termhealthcare costs.People wit h permanent disabilitiesshouldnotbe forcedtorepeatedlyprove theirdisableness.orlivein fearof losingsupports thatare essentialtodaily life anda ndwellbeing.I urge th egovernmenttoprotectth original principles o fthen DIS - choice.control,dignity.inclusion.andsupportforpeoplew ithd isabilities t olive meaningful an dindependent lives.Thank you very muchfortaking time tor readmysubmission