National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3477 - Supplementary Submission
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
My name is Jerome Dumont. I wrote this e-mail for the purpose of advocating my ongoing need for NDIS-funded support work at or close to its current levels.
I have been diagnosed with PDA (partial-demand avoidance) autism since the age of seven, along with type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression, as well as several other health conditions that significantly impact my agency in living independently.
I find it difficult to communicate effectively in many social situations, participate confidently in the community, maintain a functional cleaning routine at home, or overcome my binge eating habit.
The support I presently receive has made a significant and measurable difference to my quality of life and ability to function. Without this assistance, I would regress into social withdrawal and personal inertia.
My support workers assist me in several key skills, including:
Developing my communication and negotiation skills so I can interact more effectively with others, advocate for myself, and navigate everyday situations with greater confidence. Building my self-esteem through encouragement, positive reinforcement, and support to participate in activities that increase my confidence and independence. They often make every day a pleasure to explore. Providing assistance with attending appointments by helping me organize, travel to, and attend medical and other essential appointments, reducing the anxiety and barriers that often prevent me from accessing important services. They also make sure important information is transmitted properly between involved parties and make sure that I provide details correctly and fully without any omission or twisting of perspective. Supporting me to participate in regular exercise, which benefits both my physical health, including management of my diabetes, and my mental health. Assisting me with managing my finances, and budgeting, helping me understand my spending, planning ahead, and making informed financial decisions. Providing companionship and social support, which is vital to reducing my isolation, improves my emotional wellbeing, and encourages me to engage more confidently in my community. Assisting with shopping by helping me plan purchases, make appropriate choices, manage sensory and anxiety-related challenges, and complete shopping tasks successfully.
My support agency provides value for money and the services I receive from its staff are essential to maintaining my independence, health, and overall wellbeing. They enable me to
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3477 - Supplementary Submission
achieve outcomes that would otherwise be difficult or impossible due to the functional impacts of my disabilities.
The consistency and encouragement provided by my support workers have resulted in noticeable improvements in my confidence, daily living skills, community participation, and emotional wellbeing. Their assistance helps prevent deterioration in my mental health and supports me to remain engaged in my community rather than becoming increasingly isolated.
It is for these reasons that I strongly believe that ongoing NDIS-funded support work remains both reasonable and essential. If you continue funding my program and do not change the parameters of my support, it will enable me to maintain the progress I have made since 2024, continue developing my independence to where these supports can eventually be withdrawn, and improve my overall quality of life.
Kind regards,
Jerome Dumont.