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

Submission 2306

Introduction & My Lived Experience:

As someone who relies heavily upon daily assistance from the NDIS because they provide essential services necessary for independent living, it’s important you understand how significant this program has become. The NDIS allows individuals like myself to live independently without which life becomes extremely difficult and sometimes unbearable; in fact it could lead back into hospitalization again. Without these vital resources, we face numerous challenges including but certainly not limited too: daily activities such as preparing meals, shopping trips, cleaning tasks etc., maintaining personal hygiene, socializing or engaging in recreational pursuits; all things considered absolutely critical components towards leading an active lifestyle outside our homes.

• The pressure on families already too much cost-of-living housing work pressures demands Most don’t have finances capacity supports living disability members than one member disabilities.

• I serious concerns regarding reassessment process had prove permanence my disabilities tried every treatment significant functional impairments again will very traumatic expensive If cut how pay necessary assessments requirements? Additionally need medical system covered NDIS money specialist appointments huge expense managing care needs.

• Any streamlining criteria impairment functionality seem functionally unsuitable reality diverse experience presentation impairments individual disability Personal circumstances environmental factors each disabled participant relevant provision of A generic approach useful context harmful illogical.

• Have serious concerns further narrowing what reasonable necessary NDIS supports inconsistencies information provided across website vs staff management providers support coordinators Local Area Coordinators media Incorrectly trained making harmful incorrect decisions about supports that participants expert always disabled person supporting health professionals PWD doctors agree reason necessary accurate judgement government ruling somebody without lived experience or knowledge disability.

• More transparency needed existing use Supports e.g percentage people using which supports) and Government drawing make these decisions ideal (decisions?) How can reflected statistics Or are you considering economic argument with no consideration human impact those decisions What rationale behind limiting access to supports helping them reach their goals choice control over care building capacity participate community Can a government bureaucrat algorithm nuance scope compassion determine reasonable for individual PWD deeply offensive outrageously cruel.

**I have serious concerns end rollover plans limiting plan reassessments unrealistic living disability Disabilities change fluctuate worsen time due access medical care weather seasonal changes availability medication life stressors pregnancy illness crisis relationship breakdown natural disaster age many other factors should not penalised unspent funding allowed save from when doing well, poorly **

The day contact suspension concerning Many PWD able take phone calls without support workers assist There reasons difficult contact PWD family violence hospitalisation changed details executive functioning intellectual capacity changes turnovers illness needs longer available effort made communicate preferred communication

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

Submission 2306

Method: Why Do So Many Of Us Get Phone Calls When We Have Said We Can Only Receive Communication In Writing?

In relation to reducing supports for people to access the community:

• Accessing the community is something that those without disability take as granted. As someone who cannot physically access it without assistance from others, a reduction of these supports terrifies me because I fear being trapped at home unable to receive essential care or participate fully within society any longer than necessary; another hospitalization could result due increased trauma and suffering if my health, safety & wellbeing are significantly compromised; this would likely lead further loss functional capacity. The following activities must be supported so they may continue engaging socially: go shopping, attend medical appointments, walk outdoors, visit friends/family members, enjoy recreational pursuits, explore nature - all things taken-for-granted by able-bodied individuals. Before becoming disabled myself was an active participant in local communities where studied/work/volunteered/traveled extensively but now life has shrunk greatly through having a disability. The idea losing even small amount support enabling me get out house devastates me deeply knowing many other PWD face similar situations feeling forgotten/abandoned government saving money on our behalf feels like death sentence rather help us thrive. Social isolation poses huge problem among those living with disabilities often preventing work/volunteer/study opportunities leading little sense belonging purpose life. Support workers allied healthcare professionals can only provide limited social interaction needed to engage actively participating community groups gardening accessing natural environment visiting family friends attending cafes feel part societal experience getting haircut etc vital for well-being people deserve inclusion thriving alongside others not left behind marginalized status. as wheelchair user strength fatigue impact makes almost inaccessible environments without assistance manual power wheelchairs (steps ramps doorways everywhere). Powerwheelchair access most hospitals NDIS Ministers Office doctors rooms radiology clinics cafés cinemas restaurants shops insufficient turning circle maneuver safely toilet doors heavy unable open independently automated toilets standard across buildings physical structural barriers prevent appointment service and space accessibility majority of abled bodied including MPs have no clue scope inaccessibility Australian society designed accommodate PWD especially mobility aids daily support required engaging within society still impossible much time. greater social isolation could lead further burdening services increasing demand hospital mental health Medicare Centrelink shifting funds around not savings government money merely reallocating resources making PWD suffer greater medical care needs; decreasing funding participation will leave participants few actual hours supported per week according price guide providers charge travel distance participant circumstances include charging kilometers traveled some situations also charged kilometer-time.

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

Submission 2306

• Of travel to and from the shift. An appointment 15 kilometres from participants’ home means miles travelled during this shift, in their social participation budget less minutes available locally. Does consider when allocating funds deciding budgets? PW can’t take taxi public transport while we wish access services closer but usually aren’t. • Currently use nearly weekly social community preparation go mainstream disability related medical appointments without which could not get these essential disability-related appointments resulting in worsening health decreased functional capacity worsened impairments risks safety need increase ADL supports due reduce functionality more reliance on main stream including hospitalisation intensive interventions.

Schedule 2:

• Concern registration burden sole traders small independent providers focus niche disabled communities friendly neurodiversity-affirming queer-friendly way majority larger service do trauma-informed lived-experience led neurodiverisity-affirming & queer-friendly care makes harmful unsuitable many PWD agree reducing fraud low quality important however examples happening large providers offering SIL respite day activities Independent are always tailored nuanced service particular participants make enough money afford expensive registration auditing process. Many also work sector have valuable experience perspectives share flexible hours well suited employment for (e.g., working accessible home wheelchair user). People like part-time hours don’t have sufficient money register expense
• Serious concerns mandatory registration appropriate cost categories Independent Support Workers from my experiences worst with bigger registered providers abandoned care understood disability overstepped professional boundaries sent inappropriate support workers cannot communicate some even committed fraud, Independent support workers crucial to supporting PW please do away choice control leads better funding and more relevant helpful services specific needs as they often charge maximum rate or travel costs nearly all big providers do so can be value of money further fund go. • Serious regarding ministerial powers too much power someone decisions making those cuts broad changes without consulting community ensuring alternative supports place legislative change easier government erode reduce system immense material benefit daily lives PW scared future where may taken options hope continue living. • Concerns reduced plan managers doing great job doesn’t very little at all Why change something works?

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

Submission 2306

well? Why penalise small, independent providers offering niche and bespoke services? Why reduce the opportunities for small business owners to work in the sector?

Schedule 3:

• Enforcing pricing rules that mean supports are not fully covered by NDIS funding will have a disproportionate affect on people with disability. Many PWD do not work and rely-on DSP which-is-below-the poverty line – they simply can’t affordthe cost of care.AlreadyI spendthemajorityofmyincomeondisabilityrelatedexpenses, timeminimalmoneyleftoverto live-my-life-or-have-any-of-thecomfortsorjoysthatable-bodiedpeopletakeforgranted.

The use of Automated or AI decision makingis horrifying.Remember Robodebt ? It ist unreasonabletotakingsuchshortcutswithfundingthatimpactsindividualpeopledaily lives.Inhumane decisionsbeingmadebyalgorithmsaredangerousandunjust.TheAutomatedagedcaretrialhasbeenineffectivewithassessedsupportneedsbeingundercut,clinical discretionremovedandtransparencyreduced.This hasresultedinolder peoplereceivinglesscareaandsufferingconsequences-totheirhealthand wellbeing.Aged-care,likedisability,ishighly individual-andchangesquickly-soarigid,automatedsystem missestherеalityofthedailуexperienceofsuffering.People’s health and safetydependnon nuance,relyingonautomationisdangerous.## Schedule 4:

• There is significant risk that automated assessments will not capture the needs ofdifferentials accurately.Nothowtwo people withthesame disabilityare alike,some might have quite severe functional impairments in some areas while others may be significan ormoderateinthoseareas.Assessmentsedisablednessshouldonlybuntaken-by skilled, trainedmedicalprofessionalswithestheexpertise-ofthe particular disabilities being assessed.It unsafe-unreasonablefortheses to-be undertaken by non-medical staff withesth expertise. itunsafe-unreasonablenonethical forthese assessmentsto-betakenbyAIorautomation.- Ihave serious concerns of reduced funding plan changes.onethingIthinkisseverely under-appreciatedishowlongitcan taketo do ADLsandother tasks as someone livingwithdisabilitу.Tohaveashowermaytakesomewithout-disability510 minutesbut fora PWD itmaysake3060minutes or forsomeremaininga hoist-or2 support even longer.Gettingintothecarmaytake somewithoutdisabletyseconds butfors aPWD it maysake ­­,all these extra minutеs add up soinahourshiftyoucangot surprisingly little done.Evenmysupportsa onlyadequatetocoverbasicADLSand showers arealuxurynotaneverydayoccurrence.Analgorithmoraformulaorstandard measureisunrealistictoaddressthediverse needsof thedisabledpopulationaccessing thenDIS(rememberingthatthemajorityofofpwd donoen access-the NDIS - then government already neglectstoprovidesuppor andservicesforthemajory oftheP WD in Australia.)Otherconcerns(relatingtoprocessorimplementation):
• Ihaveserious concern about thereduction Support Coordinationchanges with that.SCsare very importantparticularly to participantswitno familyorinformalsupp ort.They canalso assistkeep thingsincheckplan spendingcanmonitorforfraudand keepprovidershonest.
• I feelthereinformation regarding changesbill notclearhaveleft people feelingvulnerableconfusedanxiousregardingtheir futures.Theuncertaintywaythatchange sand bill havebeenannouncedandalanguage usedhasmade me feellikeaburdenmylifeasapwdis novalue.Asresult,I haverequired greater supportfrom healthsystem haver equiredd moremedicalhealthsupport addition-tothedisabilitysupporth -Due towayNDIS spokenaboutbypoliticiansamedia asparticipant Ifeel ­­targeton mybackwhen gointo communitymymereexistenceisan offence anburdentoAustralian taxpayer.Whydo we makepeoplePWD onN DIS

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

Submission 2306

• feel like this? Already invisible; a burden felt upon me. There’s insufficient time with bill review & submission process due short timeframe. PWD supporters haven’t had enough engagement on the issue before submitting their views, larger impact PWD employment, medical welfare services reduced support means some won’t maintain jobs resulting more demand Welfare system DSP Housing Trust homelessness health services increased demands.

What This Bill Gets Wrong:

• Portrayal as burdensome drain Australian economy politicians media lives worth nothing cruel offensive damaging mental well-being self-worth Media coverage inappropriate comments make everyday needs met luxury completely unnecessary disability life unreasonable waste taxpayers money walk coffee café NDIS not paying for coffee supporting worker assist participant outside Why Mark Butler’s statements about PWD using NDIS incorrect ignorant unreasonably contributes ableist attitudes discrimination abuse Talking points chosen belittle dehumanise PWD average Australians against marginalised minority group society already struggles suffers greatly. • How would politicians feel reduction allowances enabling dine drink alcohol fly first class reasonable necessary politicians飞first-class expensive hotels scrutinized checked value money We are basic of needs met and live community Politicians get paid several hundred thousand dollars annually whilst PWD on DSP no more $30k/year. Not rorting systems struggling afford most basic care access to basic needs The real documented lifeline people otherwise receive no support at all Often spend much money Medical bills (Medicare doesn’t cover cost specialists need see) medications PBS covered that don’t have left over pay heat houses buy food let alone clean or support workers allied healthcare.

• Lack engagement consultation with the PWD community in drafting this bill, focusing wrong areas inefficiency system - why isn’t high-cost NDIA executive salaries being scrutinised, inefficient customer service administration done number mistakes made peoples plans caused harm Cost outsourcing services low quality poorly trained providers The Bill’s current form is harmful unethical should Parliament pass committee consider my lived experience reviewing this Bill ask what kind Society wants one supports marginalized vulnerable minorities our community cruel policies causing unnecessary harm.