Nicci just lost her husband. Now she fears she'll lose her support
NDIS recipient Nicci Carlson, who is in constant pain and may soon lose her eyesight, says cuts to the scheme are making vulnerable people living with a disability scapegoats for Australians hit hard by cost-of-living pressures.
Nicci Carlson, a Canberra resident, is coping with the loss of her husband and the fear of losing her disability support. Afflicted with multiple autoimmune conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, she is constantly in pain and worries about her declining eyesight. Carlson has fought hard to secure her NDIS support, which she relies on for assistance with daily tasks like shopping, medical appointments, and exercise.
The proposed NDIS changes, announced in April, would potentially remove or limit support for over 240,000 people over four years, with additional restrictions expected by 2031. These changes, aimed at saving $30 billion, have raised concerns about the loss of support workers, reduced choice and autonomy, and unintended consequences, as warned by the ACT Disability Advisory Council and Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John.
Carlson and Steele-John both expressed worry over these proposed cuts, emphasizing the importance of consulting with and supporting those with disabilities.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
