National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 904
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this submission on behalf of my son, regarding the proposed changes to the NDIS and the impact these cuts would have on his life and our family.
My son is 29 years old and lives with a significant intellectual disability. He has poor comprehension and understanding, he cannot read or write, and his speech is severely affected, making communication very difficult for people who do not know him well. My son’s coordination is also impacted, particularly his fine motor skills.
Throughout my son’s childhood, our family invested heavily in therapies and private special education, because the NSW public education system could not adequately support his needs. This placed enormous emotional and financial strain on our family, but as parents, we did whatever we could to give him the best possible life and opportunities.
Before the introduction of the NDIS, my son’s world was extremely limited. He had no friends outside of our immediate family and could not safely or confidently participate in the community independently.
The introduction of the NDIS changed my son’s life in ways we never thought possible. Through the limited support funding he receives, my son has been able to access community programs through a provider called Stellar Experiences tailored for young adults. He attends social and recreational outings with small groups of peers, which has allowed him to build genuine friendships and become part of a community for the first time in his life.
These outings and activities are not simply “social events” — they are central to my son’s wellbeing, mental health, confidence, and quality of life. He talks constantly about the people he sees and the activities he participates in. The staff know him well, support him appropriately, and have become an important and trusted part of his life.
My son has made many meaningful friendships through these programs. He now regularly attends social outings, including lunches, football games, adventure activities, and group events. Without NDIS support, my son would lose access to these experiences and connections. The progress he has made socially and emotionally has been extraordinary, and I cannot overstate the positive impact this has had on his life and on our family.
I am deeply concerned that the proposed NDIS cuts fail to recognise the importance of social and community participation for people like my son. These supports are not optional extras — they are essential to his mental health, independence, social development, and overall wellbeing.
Reducing these supports would have devastating consequences, not only for my son but also for our family. His social isolation would increase, his mental health would suffer, and the responsibility of managing his distress and withdrawal would once again fall heavily on our household as we age ourselves.
Recently, my son’s bank card stopped working, and I had to take him to the bank to resolve the issue. I tried to encourage my son to explain the problem himself, but the bank staff quickly realised he was unable to manage the conversation or understand the processes involved. They spoke directly to me so I could explain the issue and on their recommendation, help restructure his banking arrangements to reduce the risk of fraud, as he is not capable of managing these matters independently.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 904
As his parent, moments like this are deeply confronting. I constantly worry about what will happen when I am no longer here to support him — who will help him navigate everyday tasks like this, particularly if the proposed NDIS cuts reduce the supports available to him.
We have never been a family to ask for help lightly. As we are getting older and have a small family network, we are becoming increasingly aware of how much support my son will continue to need in the future. He currently lives with us in our family home and relies on assistance with many daily living activities, including cooking meals, cleaning the house, personal grooming, attending appointments, paying bills, money management and managing everyday responsibilities that most people take for granted. I have always thought the NDIS will be there for this purpose, but with no current funding in his NDIS package and the cuts proposed, I am fearful this will not be an option for him.
The NDIS has given my son opportunities, dignity, friendships, and a sense of belonging that he never had before. It has allowed him to participate in society in a meaningful way and to live a fuller, happier life. However, with the proposed cuts to NDIS funding, I am deeply fearful that these supports may no longer be available to him when he needs them most.
I urge the Government to carefully consider the real human impact these proposed cuts will have on people with disabilities and their families. For individuals like my son, these supports are life-changing and life-sustaining.
Thank you for considering this submission.
Yours sincerely,