Submission: National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing The NDIS For Future Generations) Bill 2026

I understand the need to refocus the NDIS. I was there at the beginning at a conference, my friend included; we had such exciting dreams for children’s futures.

The scheme has grown into an endless bucket of money while louder voices continue to be heard and voiceless people left behind again,

doing broad-brush policies like cutting Social Community Access makes no sense; it always seemed that one person = One Plan should apply. The government cannot broadly state they’ll take between ten percent - fifty percent from every plan: This would kill people! Focus on those needing extensive support due physical disabilities or complex behaviors who otherwise might’ve been institutionalized years ago whose families are burnt out & in desperate need help.

Also focus problems with getting disability workers taking our loved ones’ needs seriously not just picking ‘easy cases’. SDA/SIL companies offering free iPads/rent enticement vulnerable people into their properties then exploiting them is also concerning. Agency managed plans where your government blindly pays invoices without client/carers input ensuring services were provided properly must change too. For context attached story only touches key elements as condensing nineteen-year experience onto page hard but tried outlining policy changes will impact more than just loved-ones it will have ramifications down line. Pleas manage these changes carefully. Yours sincerely,Jodi Wood

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission 21

This is Katy’s Story

This submission highlights Katy’s story:

• Born prematurely at low birthweight as part of twin pregnancy.
• Diagnosed before one year old for developmental delays affecting milestones like crawling, walking, speech, and intellectual development; brother developed faster than her due to these challenges but continued struggling despite therapy from three years onwards focusing where help was needed across all aspects life; she has been receiving allied health therapies since then which allow basic communication though difficult understanding literal meaning easily fatigues unable comprehend many requests needs plain language; had wonderful teachers some average ones over time allowing reading basics maths she cannot dissect Shakespeare or do algorithms yet reads menus tells times enjoys listening junior chapter books read night school finished Year Ten no high schools taking her enrolled TAFE NSW suitable self-paced Certificate I courses maintain educational skills alone disability support worker necessary behaviors; cannot drive public transport unavailable living country local centre minutes closest major town home always lived wants stay family will not eat heightened prepare meals shop独自购买适当食物将吃剩的食物不考虑健康卫生；will clean herself attend salon once week took years working with Katy and the salon allowed this happen during COVID went month without washing hair wears pink headphones two plushy sharks pacing stimming talking herself had fixed ideas inner circle does cope other people become aggressive can scream spit abscond strike out little warning just have ride it out She is never safe live completely on own.*

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

Submission 21

Katya’s Week

We have tried to develop a regular routine during the week for Katya like anyone else. Katya’s current funds don’t allow respite services; we haven’t used them in years and there isn’t any family nearby so our options include saving disability support worker hours or taking turns away from home when needed not using after-hours service as it ensures enough time with Katya each day. On Monday between noon-1pm she has an hour of care where they might do activities such making LEGO crafts cooking which may involve trips around town up-to about twenty kilometers return trip. on Tuesday morning until afternoon Katya gets ready to go out under supervision of their carer today serves learning purposes katy works on TAFE self-paced course alongside her support person also attends Allied Health Therapy session this can cover travel distances over ninety kilometer per day. on Wednesday mornings till mid-afternoon Katya is prepared to venture outside having fun possibly visit movies Questacon zoo etc then driven back local area weekly hair washes included within these outings could be covered by traveling distance up-nine hundred meters daily. on Thursday mornings through early afternoon Katya prepares herself to participate volunteer opportunities available locally. This activity involves covering potentially nine-hundred-meter journeys every single day too. on Fridays and weekends, Katya stays at home supported directly by us depending who’s free time allows other member focus work responsibilities. in total Katya receives approximately eighteen-hour assistance a week transportation covers roughly three thousand miles annually routine applies for forty-eight weeks in any given year This arrangement enables me continue working, enables dad concentrate high-level consultancy tasks from home, gives Katya opportunity engage same activities as others. based $70/hour cost exceeds sixty-thousand dollars yearly while transport expenses amounting more than fourteen thousands each year. Katya’s current budget barely meets needs.

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

Submission 21

Katy’s Family

• I have been told by a paediatrician that “she is probably retarded; it’s ok there are schools for that”.
• I have been told by government departments to sell our home and move somewhere more appropriate.
• I used to be employed in the public sector but haven’t worked since our children were born.
• I’ve driven them to appointments,
• attended therapy sessions;
• drove Katy interstate looking for help several times because she couldn’t use local rural bus services on her own like siblings did before school days ended up being years of picking her up at shopping centres medicating her as she physically assaulted disability support workers, which can only happen with me due restrictive practices. I lost count how many support workers we went through when burnt out from complex needs or refused work altogether after trying almost every day option group program area unsuccessfully all ways Katys go into community alone with her own disability worker. Only just gone back workforce part time still primary contact if things wrong lucky flexible work calls sick stay home katy always. We managed balanced life katy ndis changed start perfect funding won’t do this without enough. katyn doesn’t want hang around me uncool wants workers husband working from home so i can go work responsible adult katy always ndis has been a life changer not perfect yet start. If take away supports will leave job unpaid caring role again. cannot trust NDIS lookafter kathy anymore if aren’t there.