Recent media coverage about the NDIS has been deeply harmful.
At a time when many people are already living with rising costs, uncertainty and stress, some of Australia’s most powerful voices are choosing to frame disabled people’s supports as wasteful, excessive or “frivolous”. That framing is irresponsible. It is inaccurate. And it has real consequences for people in our community who are now frightened that the support they rely on to live, participate and stay safe will be taken away.
Women With Disabilities Australia wants our community to know this: we see you, we hear you, and we understand why this moment feels frightening.
We know many people are worried about what any potential future change to the NDIS could mean for them, especially when it comes to budgets, needs assessments and reassessments. We know that fear about daily support is not abstract. It affects whether people feel secure in their homes, whether they can leave the house, whether they can work, study, care for family, maintain relationships, and participate in community life equally and with dignity.
Support that enables disabled people to participate in society is not a luxury. It is not a perk. It is not an indulgence. It is part of what equality looks like.
Support with social and community participation, independence, health and wellbeing is recognised within the NDIS. These are not “extras”. They are part of what allows people with disability to live full lives, build skills, stay connected, and exercise the same rights to participation, autonomy and belonging that others take for granted.
The NDIS has made a real and positive difference in the lives of many people with disability. It has opened access to support that enables people to live with greater independence, safety, connection and choice. It has helped people participate in their communities, continue study or work, maintain relationships and exercise greater control over their own lives. These are life changing outcomes. That is why ongoing investment in the NDIS is so critical. For the people who rely on it, sustained investment is essential to dignity, equality and full participation in society.
People with disability are not responsible for the cost-of-living crisis. We are not responsible for broader economic pressures. And we must not become an easy target for harmful narratives.
As the Government focuses on NDIS spending as part of broader budget pressures, WWDA will continue to speak out against harmful narratives and decisions that push people with disability further into poverty, isolation, risk and exclusion. We cannot allow women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability to fall through the cracks yet again.
These narratives do not happen in a vacuum. When disabled people are reduced to stereotypes about “rorts” or painted as a burden on the public purse, it fuels stigma and undermines public understanding. It also erases the fact that people with disabilities are not passive recipients of support, but active contributors to society. We are leaders, advocates, workers, carers, parents, volunteers and community members. We help build, care for and sustain the very communities we are too often excluded from.
Support should never be seen as a handout. It is a necessity to ensure people with disability can live with dignity, safety, autonomy and can participate equally in society.
WWDA will keep advocating for a disability support system grounded in human rights. We will keep challenging harmful narratives. We will keep calling on governments to make decisions that do not leave our community behind. And we will keep fighting for a future where women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability are treated with dignity and respect and are supported to participate fully in every part of life.
Our community should not have to carry fears created by public narratives and budget politics. We deserve better. We deserve respect. We deserve support. And we deserve to be able to live our lives with dignity.
Quotes attributable to WWDA CEO Sophie Cusworth
“Disabled people are not the cause of Australia’s budget pressures, and harmful public narratives must not treat us like the easiest line item to cut.”
The current debate about the NDIS is creating real fear in our community. Support that enables people with disability to live safely, participate in everyday life and maintain their dignity should never be dismissed or trivialised.”
“The NDIS has made a real difference in the lives of many people with disability. It has improved independence, connection, choice and safety, and that is why ongoing investment in the scheme remains so important.”
“People with disability are not passive recipients of support. We are workers, carers, parents, volunteers, advocates and community members, and we deserve the support that makes our full participation in society possible.”
Support and self-care for our community
If this public debate is affecting your wellbeing, you are not alone. It is okay to step back from distressing coverage if you need to.
A few practical steps that may help:
- limit your exposure to upsetting media coverage
- mute keywords or accounts that are increasing your stress
- talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling
- keep copies of important NDIS documents, letters and plan information in one place
- reach out for advocacy early if you are worried about changes to your support
- if you receive a decision you disagree with, you can ask the NDIA for an internal review of that decision.
Helplines
- Neve helpline directory: https://www.neve-plainenglish.wwda.org.au/level-4-page/helpline-directory
- 1800 RESPECT: https://1800respect.org.au/
- Lifeline: 13 11 14. Free crisis support, available 24/7.
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36. Mental health support and information.
- 13YARN: 13 92 76. Free, confidential 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
