Women with Disabilities Victoria supports the calls from Disability Representative Organisations across Australia for genuine consultation and robust Senate scrutiny of the proposed NDIS reforms.
The Senate inquiry is open for submissions until May 29. That only gives our community 15 days to advise, be consulted, and codesign the most significant reforms in the history of the NDIS.
That amounts to just 10 working days.
This timeframe makes it impossible to meaningfully consult with our community and develop a submission that is genuinely shaped by the voices, concerns, and lived experiences of our members.
Unless the inquiry date is extended, WDV cannot make an individual submission to this process.
We ethically object to participating in consultation without codesign.
We stand with and will work alongside our sister organisations, WWDA and WWDACT, and other DROs to ensure collective advocacy reflects the needs and concerns of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
WDV Policy and Research Lead, Dr. Brigid Evans, said, “Over the coming days, we will open direct communication channels for our members to share their questions, concerns, and experiences. Our members’ voices will help us build a clear picture of any unintended consequences of these reforms on our community. This will inform meaningful, evidence-based advocacy and policy recommendations grounded in the realities of our members’ lives”.
WDV will continue to advocate for a consultation and codesign and for an NDIS that upholds the rights of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
This statement has been endorsed by the following organisations:
Women’s Health Victoria (WHV)
Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE)
Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID)
Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV)
Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM)