National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2160
OFFICIAL: Sensitive – Health Information
My name is Stella Di Laudo I live in North Bondi NSW, and my sister Georgia Di Laudo has Cri du Chat syndrome.
Georgia is a NDIS participant. Her NDIS plan helps he to maintain social connectedness, gain living skills and enable her to have a fulfilling life of meaningful activities as well as attend therapy appointments as needed.
Georgia stays on top of household chores and manages to cook meals each day with help from her support worker.
Georgia’s support worker helps her attend weekly exercise programs, do home exercise and community walking programs as well as other activities that she enjoys.
Geogia’s life has become enriched through the NDIS. She has blossomed into an engaging young woman and has more confidence because of it.
The transition from school to adult life is one of the most significant - and fragile - periods for young people with Cri du Chat syndrome and their families. The proposed amendments to the NDIS would undermine the supports that make a meaningful adult life possible.
I am very concerned about the proposed 50% cut to social and community participation funding. For young adults with Cri du Chat syndrome, social and community participation funding is not discretionary. It funds the structured day activities, community access, and supported employment programs that fill the hours previously occupied by school - and that are critical for preventing regression, isolation, and crisis, as well as supporting a good life as valued members of our community.
Georgia currently has automatic access to the NDIS as a person with a diagnosed genetic condition. The proposed shift to functional capacity reassessment for all participants from 2028 onwards creates real uncertainty. Cri du Chat syndrome is permanent and will not improve. Requiring reassessment without clear protections for people with established lifelong conditions is unnecessary, disruptive, and potentially harmful.
I am worried that these cuts will directly impact Georgia’s physical and mental wellbeing in a negative way. I know that she would need to stay home more, and I am worried she will lose the valuable social connections she has made through social groups like Stella experiences as Georgia struggles to meet and maintain friendships independently.
I am worried that there will be increased strain on my stepmother Robyn Di Laudo and my sister Jaime Di Laudo (when they are already under pressure) to have more responsibility for Georgia as well as the fact that they will lose the essential respite they have currently.
I am asking to please remove or amend proposed section 34A to prevent blanket social and community participation cuts without individual assessment. I am asking that we ensure that young adults in post-school transition are protected from funding cuts that would leave them without day activities or community access as I am really concerned that these funding cuts will impact our whole family and add to the already present stress and strain of living with an adult with a disability.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive – Health Information
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2160
OFFICIAL: Sensitive – Health Information
Yours sincerely,
Stella Di Laudo North Bondi NSW
I am happy for my name to be published with this submission