Concerns regarding impact of NDIS reforms on legally blind woman (Participant experience)

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

Submission 2802

To the Committee Secretary,

Re: NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed changes to the NDIS and the impact these reforms may have on Australians living with disability.

I am a legally blind woman, parent, and community member living in Queensland. My disability affects many areas of daily functioning including mobility, navigation, reading printed materials, transport access, personal safety, and independent participation within the community.

The NDIS is not a luxury. For many disabled Australians, it is the difference between independence and isolation.

Having access to NDIS funding and a support worker as well as reducing barriers to leave the home, helped me build the confidence to leave a DFV relationship, I’m still healing the emotionally, but I’m grateful that I’m no longer stuck and not just another statistic.

Disabled women are at a higher risk of DFV and placing a greater dependence on informal care can further isolate women, and an environment where coercive control can continue unchallenged.

Supports such as assistive technology, orientation and mobility training, transport assistance, guide dog support, and community participation are essential supports that allow people with disability to safely engage in everyday life.

Without these supports:

independence decreases, isolation increases, community participation becomes restricted, safety risks increase, and mental health and wellbeing can deteriorate significantly.

I am particularly concerned about reforms that may reduce flexibility, restrict access to supports, or limit funding connected to community and social participation.

Community participation is not optional for people with disability. It is directly connected to wellbeing, confidence, skill development, connection, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society.

As someone who is legally blind, even routine tasks require substantially more planning, energy, and risk management than they do for non-disabled people. Tasks such as navigating unfamiliar environments, arranging accessible transport, attending appointments, reading information, advocating for accessibility, and parenting while managing disability all require additional support and effort.

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

Submission 2802

The NDIS exists to reduce these barriers, not increase them.

I am also concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the proposed NDIS Rules that have not yet been publicly released. Participants, families, clinicians, and advocates should be able to fully understand the practical consequences of these reforms before legislation is passed.

I strongly believe the Government should focus on:

addressing provider fraud and exploitative pricing, improving accountability and oversight, reducing administrative complexity, and protecting genuine participants who rely on supports to maintain safety, independence, and quality of life.

People with disability should not bear the burden of cost-cutting measures when the supports being questioned are often the very things that prevent greater long term social and economic costs.

The NDIS should continue to uphold the principles of dignity, accessibility, inclusion, independence, and equal participation in Australian society.

Thank you for considering my lived experience and perspective.

Sincerely,

Queensland, Australia.

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