Submission: Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment
Submission dated [specific date] (if available) To Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee - Inquiry on Bill 2026 titled ‘Securing the NDLSI for Future Generations’ Due consideration is requested regarding privacy as this submission contains sensitive personal information. The author requests their name be omitted but wishes publication under pseudonym LN.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1991
My physical stamina, emotional regulation, communication skills, concentration abilities, trust issues, executive functioning challenges, ability to leave my house safely without assistance from others. and difficulty advocating consistently on behalf myself due to psychosocial disabilities affecting memory impairment.
These fluctuations make it difficult for some individuals with these types of impairments who may appear more functional externally while still experiencing severe internal difficulties which is common among those suffering traumatic events leading up their current condition. The proposed changes around “functional capacity” definitions could lead us into a situation where we overlook true impact our disability might be having upon ourselves rather than just observing surface level observations based off superficial assessments alone. I am especially concerned about proposals regarding tighter eligibility criteria as well as permanence requirements. People already frequently disbelieved under-supported forced repeatedly prove legitimacy conditions requiring participants exhaust all appropriate treatments options before being recognized as eligible. Trauma-related disorders are complex long-term often resistant to treatment even when undergoing therapy can help manage symptoms but does not mean that individual’s overall health has improved significantly enough yet. Exhausting every possible option prior acceptance by NDIS will also become impossible many impoverished and vulnerable people in society fall through cracks multiple systems experience years misdiagnosis delayed treatment additional trauma. Similarly Ehlers-Danlos syndrome currently no cure lifelong disabling even active engagement therapies.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1991
My Dissociative Identity Disorder and Complex Trauma Conditions Arise from Severe Prolonged Abuse From Childhood Through Early Adulthood The Seriousness Of That Harm Was Recognized Through Criminal Justice System With Offender Receiving Lengthy Prison Sentence Despite This Still Struggled To Have Disabilities Appropriately Acknowledged As Real And Valid Within NDIS Furthermore Day Continue Struggle Access Level Specialised Psychological Disabil Support Recommended By Multiple Trained Clinicians Live Safely Function Sustainably Community Important Because Demonstrates Even People With Severe Well Document Lifelong Physical Psychosocial Can Face Major Barriers Accessing Appropriate Under Current I Fear Reforms Further Narrow Eligibility Increase Reassessment Burdens Or Prioritize Rigid Functional Assessments May Leave Like Me More Vulnerable Unsupported Also Concern Increased Use Standardized Assessment Highly Systemat Planning Approaches My Disabilities Affect Ability Communicate Pressure Advocate Consistently Process Sensory Information Regulate Emotions Safe Participate In Assessments Brief Conducted Stranger Fail Capture Complexity My Support Needs Particularly Where Trauma Dissociation Masking Fluctuating Capacity Involved For People With Severe Trauma Histories And Disorders These Processes Themselves Become Destabilizing Retraumatizing
Submission 1991
I have also experienced prolonged periods of instability while falling between housing, disability, and social support systems. I have been left effectively unsupported between social community housing services and the NDIS while still fighting for access to suitable modified housing that accommodates my disabilities safely. Recently when I asked Rebecca Pinkstone —the head of Homes NSW” what Homes NSWs response was regarding proposed cuts to the NDIS and what homes nsw would do as an alternative to meet peoples needs who live within complex conditions I was told that ndis is not speaking directly at all to social housing services she could sympathize but said homes nsf was designed specifically towards those living under simple condition other service need be used these gaps are real they had direct impacts upon me personally affecting my health stability participation into society previous reductions on my support hours significantly increase vulnerability isolation during a period where there were no adequate supports in place i suffered sexual assault this experience reinforced how critical appropriate disability supports really are for safety wellbeing yet recently funding has reduced again am currently fearful about impact it will have over my life ability remain adequately supported community concerned tighter reassessment rules increased administrative burdens may further disadvantage people with executive functioning difficulties mental illness cognitive overload chronic illnesses
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1991
Managing paperwork, gathering reports, attending appointments, understanding changing legislation, and advocating within the NDIS already requires enormous amounts of energy. Many disabled people rely heavily on support coordinators, psychosocial supports, carers, avocates, or trusted providers to navigate these systems safely.
Many of these supports either do not currently have access to them or are inadequately funded to access. Without adequate flexibility and human oversight, these reforms risk pushing me and other vulnerable participants into crisis, isolation, homelessness, hospitalization,institutionalization,exploitation,or complete disengagement from support systems. After my NDIS funding was critically reduced following the original announcement of these reformss,I came dangerously close to disengaging from the scheme altogether.It was only through significant interventionandsupportfromtrainedclinicians that I remained connectedto servicesandsupportsystems.I am deeply concernedthatothervulnerableparticipantsfacingsimilarcircumstances maynot receive thosesamelevelofinterventionorsupport.I fully supportheffortstoaddressfraud/exploitation,andunsafeproviderswithinthenDis.Fraud harms participantsandan damagestrustinthescheme.However,fraudprenvention measures should target exploitative provider sandsystemic misuse rather than creating additional suspicion barriers fordisabledpeoplethemselves. Iamalsconcernedaboutthesizepeds and scope oft hese reformandt he limited consultation period available f o r disabled people t o respond.Many participantswith complex disabilities
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1991
require additional time, support, advocacy, and accessibility accommodations to meaningfully engage with legislation of this scale. I also want the committee to understand the emotional and psychological toll involved in making submissions like this for people with severe psychosocial disabilities and trauma histories. Writing this submission has been extremely difficult for me. Fear, trauma symptoms, dissociation, anxiety, and exhaustion very nearly prevented me from participating at all.Having to repeatedly explain and justify deeply personal experiences in order to access or protect essential supports can itself be retraumatizing.I am still making this submission because I am afraid of what these reforms may mean for my safety, stability, and future if vulnerable participants continue to lose supports or face increasing barriers to accessing them.Many people with disabilities more severe than mine, fewer supports, greater fear, or less capacity to advocate for themselves may not be able to participate in processes like this at all.Their absence should not be mistaken for lack of impact.I would also like to acknowledge that I used artificial intelligence assistance to help structureand draft parts of this submission.I believe it is important to disclose this transparently, particularly because accessibilitybarriers can affect how disabled people participate in consultation and policy processes.The words, experiences, concerns, and perspectives contained within this submission are my own.However, due to the short consultation timeframe, the complexity of the legislation,and the impacts of my disabilities, including dissociation, trauma symptoms, executive
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1991
functioning difficulties, cognitive overload, fatigue, anxiety, and communication challenges, I required assistance to organize and express my thoughts in a coherent written format so as not to make this submission overly traumatic to write or lose sight of its original purpose. in many ways,the needforthisassistancereflectstheverybarriersandsupportgapsthathisthissubmissiondiscusses.TheNDISwascreatedtosupportheoplewithdignity,autonomy,safety,andparticipationinthecommunity.Ifearthesereformsrisknarrowsaccesswaysthatparticularlyharmpeoplecomplex,invisiblepsychosocialandfluctuatingdisabilitieswhoseneedsmaynotinstandardizedframeworks.