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

Submission 2061

Submission to the Senate Inquiry - NDIS Amendment Bill – Securing the NDIS for Future Generations

To the Committee, My name is [redacted] and I am the mother of a young man with Down syndrome who turns 21 this year. I am writing to express my deep concern regarding proposed changes to the NDIS, particularly around community access funding, changes to what is considered “reasonable and necessary,” and reduced rights to review decisions. For families like ours, the NDIS is not about extras or luxuries. It is about safety, dignity inclusion, wellbeing, and the ability for people with disability to participate meaningfully in everyday Australian life. My son [redacted] relies on support workers and structured supports to safely access the community, attend programs, travel to work, build independence, and continue learning important life skills. These supports are essential to his physical safety, emotional well-being, or overall quality of life. The NDIS has helped our family access additional support[redacted] needs to participate in the worldaround him.Ithasenabledhimtotravelsafelytoprogramsmworkpart-timejobsengage socially,anddevelopskillsthatsupportgreaterdependenceconfidenceashe movesinto adulthood.Like all parents,I wantmysontohavepurposeconnectionopportunityanddignityinhislife Communityaccesssupportsarewhatmakethispossible.Iamextremelyconcernedthatproposedcutschangescommunit yaccesfundingwill have devastating consequencesnotonlyfor[redacted],butformanyfamilyslakeours across Australia.Without appropriate supports:

• [redacted]’s safety while accessing community would be compromised,
• His mental health social connectionwould suffer,
• His opportunities employment educationreduce, -andhis independencedignitywoulb significantly impacted. I am also deeply concerned about impact this wouhadon[redacted]’spysicalhealth community acces is not simplysocialsuppor itkeeps him active engaged mobile and participating everydaylife Without theseopportunities I fear hisphysical healt would decline due increased isolation reduced activity loss routine purpose For people with Down syndrome intellectual disabilities maintaining physicalactivity structurecommunity participation incredibly important for long-term health wellbeing.Isolation very real riskpeopleintellectualdisabilitieswhen support removed. Community icipationoptionalmentalwellbeingitfundamental.

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

Submission 2061

These changes would also profoundly affect our family life. The only reason I have been able to return to part-time work and contribute to the Australian workforce is because the NDIS provides support safe and engaged in the community.safe The burden inevitably falls back onto familiesfamilies, carers. Parents, many who age themselves will once again be expected fill impossible gaps care supervision transport daily support.The system complex stressful emotionally exhausting Removing safeguards review rights creates fear uncertainty vulnerable whose futures depend on these decisions.I understand importance ensuring NDIs sustainable generations However sustainability should never come cost basic human dignity inclusion safety participation society People intellectual disabilities deserve opportunity learn contribution build relationships live fulfilling lives within communities The has this possible .I fear proposed changes risk taking future away.`Behind funding package real person a family,future behind every funding package is a real person,a family,and afuture.Behind every funding package is areal person,familyandafuture Behind every fundingpackageisarealfundingpersonfamilyandafuturebehindeveryfundingspackageisanrealpereverythinga family. And ask Committee:

• protectcommunity accessparticipation funding maintain fair individualised interpretations of reasonable necessary supports preserve participant rightstransparent reviews appeals recognise enormous contributioof unpaid carers familiess ensure reforms do not unintentionally isolate people with disability from education employment communitylife opportunities independence I ask voices familiespeople livingwithdisability everyday genuinely heard before decision may permanently affect their wellbeing quality life Thank you for considering my submission. Yours sincerely