National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 410
Dear Committee,
I hope this finds you well.
As a small business owner with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, I wanted to urgently pass on a few thoughts around the NDIS reform bill.
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The move to a block funding model: As someone who relies on support workers to live, the idea of being unable to hire my own team, the idea of being seen as a vehicle for a provider to profit from, the idea of not being able to find, manage, and fire my own staff that really frightens me. Beyond the horrifying thought of someone random showing up at my house and not being able to understand my speech and beyond the thought of not having control over who dresses me in the morning, I rely heavily upon support workers who I screen and train for my unique and highly technical job.
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Social and community supports: Through this category of funding, I have directly been able to make a worldwide impact, as an Australian, on technology and culture. I have been able to pay tax as a small business owner and contribute to Australia’s IP (patent number 2026903206), with my invention that made news last week. There is so much left that, I, and many other disabled people have to offer - that hinges on the ability to participate in the community like everyone else does https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-12/ queensland-man-pioneers-hands-free-drone-use/106644446? utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_a pp&utm_content=messages
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A comment on NDIS support for young adults: I have the right to set the standard of care that I receive. I have the right to not feel like a burden on my family. I have the right to be an independent adult. For me, writing these statements feels unnatural. Why? Because we didn’t have the NDIS during my formative years. 15 years later, I still struggle with the mental health burden of thinking that I am less important than other people. That I am a burden to society.
We need:
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Concrete promises around a self-directed registration category
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Individualised support plans
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Legislation to ensure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that people with high-care needs (including me) can live and work anywhere and anytime they choose
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A bulletproof framework to protect and nurture the self-image of disabled young adults
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A co-designed plan for improving procedures at the NDIA - so that, at the very least, we can ensure that any legislation that is passed is implemented with understanding of disabled people
I can appreciate that the NDIS needs an overhaul, and I am thankful whenever the government says that they are committed to the longevity of our scheme. But the proposed bill, at best, encroaches on basic human rights.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 410
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