Submission regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Future
Generation of Supports) Bill 2026
To the Committee
I am a 71-year-old NDIS participant living independently outside of metropolitan South Australia with complete vision impairment.
This submission has been prepared with the assistance of my long-term support worker and support coordinator to ensure my views and lived experience are accurately reflected.
I support reforms that strengthen the integrity and long-term sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, I am concerned that aspects of the proposed reforms may unintentionally reduce the independence and quality of life of participants like me whose current supports are already delivering positive outcomes.
After losing my beloved partner of 30 years, I have continued living independently in my own home with my retired guide dog and the support of a small team of trusted support workers. Remaining connected to my community has become more important than ever, and my support workers have played an enormous role in making that possible.
Their support has transformed my quality of life and enabled me to remain active, independent and connected to my community.
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About Me
Although I live independently, my complete vision impairment affects almost every aspect of daily life outside my home.
My support workers assist me with grocery shopping, transport, attending medical and allied health appointments, exercise, walking with my retired guide dog, everyday administration and accessing my community safely and confidently.
Their support enables me to remain independent and continue living the life I choose.
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Executive Summary
I respectfully ask the Committee to ensure that the proposed reforms:
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Preserve meaningful community participation supports that enable people with disability to remain independent, healthy and connected to their communities.
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Protect participants’ ability to continue working with trusted support workers who understand their individual needs.
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Recognise the additional challenges experienced by participants living in non-metro/regional Australia.
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Continue to promote genuine choice and control by supporting participants to live independently with the supports that best meet their individual needs.
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Concern 1 – Community Participation Is Essential to My Independence
One of my greatest concerns is the possibility that future reforms could reduce community participation supports.
For me, community participation is not a recreational activity—it is fundamental to independent living.
My support workers enable me to shop, attend appointments, exercise, manage everyday tasks and remain connected to my community.
Since losing my beloved partner of 30 years, those connections have become even more important to my wellbeing. Without these supports I would become increasingly isolated and far less able to continue living the active, independent life I have worked so hard to maintain.
Reducing community participation may reduce costs in the short term, but it risks poorer physical and mental health, greater isolation, reduced independence and increased reliance on more intensive supports in the future.
Recommendation
Continue to recognise community participation as an essential support that enables people with disability to remain independent, healthy and connected to their communities.
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Concern 2 – Trusted Support Relationships Matter
Trusted support relationships take time to build.
My support workers understand how I prefer to navigate unfamiliar environments, how to support me safely and how to encourage my independence rather than replacing it.
Living outside of metropolitan South Australia means suitable support workers can be difficult to replace, making continuity especially important.
Recommendation
Protect participants’ ability to continue working with trusted support workers where those arrangements are demonstrably safe, effective and supporting positive outcomes.
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Concern 3 – Reforms Should Preserve Independence
I support reforms that strengthen the NDIS and ensure it remains sustainable for future generations.
However, I ask that these reforms continue to recognise that independence looks different for every participant.
For me, independence does not mean doing everything without assistance.
It means having the right supports to continue living safely in my own home, participating in my community and making my own choices.
The NDIS has enabled me to continue living a meaningful and connected life despite complete vision impairment.
I respectfully ask that future reforms build on those successes rather than unintentionally reducing the supports that make them possible.
Recommendation
Ensure future reforms continue to prioritise participant independence, meaningful community participation and genuine choice and control for people living with disability.
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Conclusion
The NDIS has enabled me to continue living independently despite full vision impairment and the loss of my partner.
The supports I receive are not extras—they are the reason I can continue participating in my community, maintaining my independence and living with confidence.
I respectfully ask the Committee to ensure these reforms strengthen the NDIS while preserving the supports that are already helping participants like me live independently and with dignity.
Thank you for considering my submission and for the opportunity to contribute to this important review.
Yours sincerely,