NDIA Accountability Project

Concerns regarding reduced community participation supports and impact on ability to contribute to the community

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Submission 2119

Submission to the NDIS Amendment Bill Review

Website - Nichoas Gleeson - Adventurer, author, speaker

My name is Nick. I am an NDIS participant and a member of a participant reference group, where we provide feedback to our networks and communities about what is working and what is not. I also mentor people with disability and try to give back to the community as much as I can. I have always led a very active life, and the NDIS has played a critical role in enabling that — not just for me, but for many others. This is why the proposed changes are so important and why I am making this submission.

  • Insufficient Time for Consultation

I am concerned about the very limited time provided for participants to prepare submissions. Many people with disability require additional time, support, or accessible formats to engage meaningfully. The timeframe did not allow for this, and I do not believe it was adequate or fair.

  • Reduced Community Participation

My greatest concern is the potential reduction in community participation supports.

This aspect of the Bill has not been clearly explained. Community participation is not a luxury — it is a fundamental part of inclusion. For the first time in history, people with disability have been able to participate fully in their communities. These proposed changes risk undoing much of that progress.

Reduced participation affects not only NDIS participants but also the broader community, which loses the benefit of inclusion, diversity, and connection.

  • Over-Reliance on Informal Supports

The Bill appears to assume that informal supports can replace funded supports. History shows that informal supports do not work reliably. Friends and family cannot always be available, and relying on them removes choice and control. It also places unfair pressure on relationships.

  • Impact on Women and Other Vulnerable Groups

I attended the NDIS rally and heard clearly that these changes will disproportionately affect women with disability. Eligibility requirements also remain unclear, which creates fear and uncertainty for many people.

  • Focus on Fraud Is Misplaced

The public messaging around fraud feels narrow-minded. It appears to punish service providers and, ultimately, participants. The system was designed to support people with

Submission 2119

disability, yet those outside the system who exploit it seem to be the ones driving these changes — while participants are the ones who will pay the price.

6. Impact on My Ability to Contribute to the Community

My goal in life is to do more and give back. The NDIS has allowed me to do that. Without adequate supports, I will no longer be able to contribute in the same way.

Support workers have made a significant difference in my ability to mentor others and stay active in the community. If these supports are reduced, my capacity to contribute will diminish.

7. Concerns About Ageing and Daily Participation

As I get older, I am concerned that my support workers may no longer be able to assist me with exercise or community access. Even something as simple as going out for a coffee with a support worker — which helps me meet people and stay connected — may be deemed “not necessary”. Yet these interactions are some of the most beneficial parts of my day.

I pay for most of my own activities and only use NDIS funding for the support required to participate. Without that support, I would be at risk of becoming house-bound.

8. The NDIS Has Enabled Opportunities That Were Never Possible Before

As a former Paralympian, I now receive more appropriate support through the NDIS than I ever did during my sporting career. The NDIS has given me choice, control, and a voice in society — and I am deeply concerned that these changes will take that away.

For example, I recently had the opportunity to complete a three-day hike while trialling new technology (a braille compass). This was a world-first experience and helped pave the way for others. It would not have been possible without NDIS support.

9. The Committee Must Consider the Real-World Impact

The committee must be extremely careful in considering the dangers these changes pose. It does not appear that the lived experiences of people with disability have been adequately taken into account.

More time, more consultation, and genuine engagement with the people who will be affected are essential. Without this, the Bill risks causing significant harm to the very people the NDIS was created to support.

Conclusion

The NDIS has transformed my life and the lives of many others. The proposed changes threaten to reverse that progress. I urge the committee to reconsider, consult more

Submission 2119

widely, and ensure that any amendments strengthen — rather than weaken — the rights, inclusion, and independence of people with disability.