Joe Barham, a 22-year-old with Down's syndrome, enjoys making iced chocolates and flat whites as part of a barista program funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). When not learning coffee skills, he works in a community garden or collects cans for recycling. These activities, part of his social and community participation funding, provide essential life skills and social interaction, says his mother, Kerry.
Programs at Risk
The federal government proposes slashing all social and community participation budgets by 50% from later this year, aiming to save $13.2 billion by June 2030. NDIS Minister Mark Butler argues the cuts protect core daily supports like showering and meal preparation. However, families like Kerry's fear losing programs that teach independence, communication, and money management.
Joe's weekly schedule relies on these programs. "If that disappears, everything disappears," Kerry says. "We know him best, we know his talents, his strengths, and what he needs on a day-to-day basis."
Broader Impact
About 9,000 NDIS participants with Down's syndrome receive an average of $28,900 annually for social and community participation. For rural families like Kylie's, whose son Felix travels 2.5 hours to Adelaide for programs, the cuts are devastating. "It's really life-changing, because some of these kids, particularly like us rural families, the kids are with us all the time," Kylie says.
The government's own reform advisory committee warned of "material harm" from reduced flexibility. Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess noted the measures could "promote or maintain segregation and institutionalisation."
Families Speak Out
Kerry wishes the government targeted providers who abused the system rather than cutting vital services. "The NDIS has been the most amazing thing to people, us included, however it makes me really cross and really peeved off that people have taken it and abused it," she says. "I don't think these selfish people understand or care about how the impact of what they've done is going to cause people like Joe."
