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

Submission 2129

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

To whom it may concern,

I am writing as a participant who has been on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for over seven years. During this time, I have experienced both positive and negative aspects of the scheme. While the NDIS has provided important supports and opportunities, there are still significant areas where improvements are needed, particularly for people who are blind or vision impaired.

One of the biggest areas requiring greater attention is community participation and employment support. Many blind and vision impaired people face barriers to fully participating in their communities, accessing social opportunities, and gaining meaningful employment. Supports in these areas are often limited, difficult to access, or not flexible enough to meet individual needs. Greater investment in community participation and employment pathways would help ensure people with disability can live more independent, connected, and fulfilling lives.

There also needs to be stronger recognition of the importance of assistive technology for blind and vision impaired participants. Access to appropriate assistive technology can make the difference between independence and isolation. Technology such as screen readers, Braille displays, accessible software, mobility equipment, and other adaptive tools are essential for communication, education, employment, and everyday life. However, accessing this technology through the NDIS can sometimes be difficult, slow, or inconsistent. The process should be simpler, more flexible, and more responsive to the real needs of participants.

Many assistive technology devices used by blind and vision impaired people are extremely expensive. Some Braille devices can cost more than $8,000, yet they are essential tools for communication, education, employment, and independent living. These costs can place major financial pressure on participants and should be more adequately recognised within NDIS funding decisions.

It would also be wonderful to see more recognition of accessible everyday technology. For example, televisions with talking capabilities and accessible menu systems can make a significant difference for blind and vision impaired people, allowing greater independence and equal access to information, entertainment, and daily living. Although televisions are considered everyday household items, accessible models with voice guidance and talking features provide disability-specific benefits and should be considered for funding support where appropriate.

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

Submission 2129

In addition, there should be greater support available for disability-related conferences, meetings, leadership programs, advocacy events, and community gatherings. These opportunities are important for learning, networking, self-advocacy, professional development, and community connection. Many people with disability face financial barriers in attending these events, particularly when travel, accommodation, support workers, or accessibility requirements are involved.

The NDIS should provide clearer and more flexible support for accommodation, travel expenses, and participation costs associated with disability-related events and conferences where they contribute to a participant’s goals, independence, community participation, or employment opportunities.

Home modifications are another area where stronger support is needed. Accessible home environments are essential for safety, independence, and quality of life. Blind and vision impaired participants may require modifications such as improved lighting, tactile indicators, accessible appliances, smart home technology, safer layouts, and other adjustments that support independent living. The process for obtaining home modifications should be accessible, timely, and centred on the participant’s individual needs.

I also strongly believe that accessibility must be improved across all parts of the NDIS. Whenever plans, assessments, reports, or other important documents are provided, participants should be able to request them in multiple accessible formats. This could include accessible Word documents, large print, Braille, audio, or other formats depending on the participant’s needs.

Importantly, participants should not be limited to receiving information in only one format. Many people use different formats in different situations. For example, a blind person may use both Braille and accessible electronic documents. Allowing participants to request more than one accessible format would improve independence, reduce barriers, and ensure equal access to information.

The NDIS has the potential to create positive long-term outcomes for people with disability, but this can only happen if accessibility, inclusion, participant choice, and equitable support remain at the centre of the scheme.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Kind regards, Kristy Stichter