Disabled community hits out about those being left behind by NDIS

A powerful opinion article has ignited a discussion on NDIS failures, people falling through the gaps, and warnings that the most vulnerable Australians are getting left behind.

Disability advocate and Green candidate Alyce Nelligan is asking that the thieves who stole her custom wheelchair, to leave it somewhere public as arranging a replacement will take at least nine months and she can't leave home without it. Picture: Social media

A recent opinion piece has sparked discussion online surrounding the failures of the NDIS and concerns of people with high-needs disabilities being left behind.

Disability advocate Alyce Nelligan shared a powerful opinion article with the Chronicle for International Day of Persons with Disability.

Ms Nelligan shared the struggles the disabled community continue to battle, and the detrimental effect of NDIS changes from the end of 2024.

More than 400 people shared their views on NDIS failures.

Lisa Pocknee was one of the commenters sharing her experience of having her NDIS funding cut.

“We have had our funding cut also, even though my daughter has deteriorated and needs more support, not less,” she said.

“She is not a toy for the government to play with.”

A lot of commenters said people with high needs seem to be getting left behind with the current system.

“One of the big issues with the NDIS is there is no triaging of highest need first … that is those that cannot live safely without supports in place,” Rhonda Miles said.

Elizabeth Jones shared a similar sentiment and said the people who need it most aren’t getting the support they need.

“Unfortunately this is how the system is. It is not working for those with high needs. They are the ones being left without support,” she said.

Kym Taggart shared a painful story of the struggles her own daughter has faced.

“My daughter who is quadriplegic and high care needs has been left on her own for hours at a time in the last four months, this is the worst the NDIS has ever been,” she wrote.

Paul Maclean said Ms Nelligan’s article was spot on.

“The NDIS has a very serious issue with not supporting the highest needs people who have no informal supports,” he said.

Tracey Williams said even just the process of getting onto an NDIS plan was difficult for people.

“NDIS is great if the person living with a disability has the financial means to pay for all of the assessments required to be provided to evidence the disability and if they have a network of people who are able to strongly advocate for them,” she said.