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

Submission 3652

I am an NDIS participant. Unable to work due to severe physical disability.

I strongly disagree with the proposed new bill because it will seriously put my life in danger. I have a debilitating progressive disease called primary progressive multiple sclerosis(PPMS), which is quite different from the majority of people with MS.

The progression has continued from day one in June 1994. It has affected both legs and both arms including my hands. The only thing I can do is use my left index finger which I use to work my trackpad for my computer. I only have a couple of hours in the morning when I can use my trackpad. After that my hand fatigues too much.

Everything else, I am unable to do, including writing this letter, without some sort of automation. I have to use voice to text, which doesn’t always work properly.

Amongst several of the issues that this bill will create is the cutting of capacity building(CB) funding. In this funding, in the past, I have been able to employ a physiotherapist which is necessary to maintain my muscle strength. Without without having a physiotherapist, my disease will continue to deteriorate to the point where I need more assistive technology(AT), and more support workers, therefore becoming a bigger drain on the scheme. Not to mention the impact on my informal support which is my husband.

There is a paragraph in the present NDIS bill that says it will support maintenance of physical capacity. My funding for this present year has already been cut.

From my plan: “Physiotherapy (time-limited): Year 1: 33 hours (for continued support, reviewing manual handling plan, and progress reports). Year 2 (step-down): 17 hours (for maintenance support, reviewing manual handling plan, and progress reports).”

Writing of reports can take up to 10 hours, therefore reducing physical support to only 23 hours which is once a fortnight. This is not sufficient for maintenance. Next year I will be reduced to once a month.

The cuts are already taking place, without the bill being passed.

This new bill leaves me feeling completely unworthy of any assistance and help whatsoever. It leaves me feeling less of a human being not worthy to be here.

You can judge any society by how it treats its most vulnerable. Please listen to those people to whom the bill will make the most impact, those of us with disabilities.

Regards