Our names are Jerusha and Declan - we both are university students and live with cerebral palsy. We are also passionate disability advocates.

Since early last year, NDIS has been slashing support it previously funded, leaving people like us and our families wrestling to cope with daily life, even forcing parents to quit jobs to support their child. 

Australians challenged the funding decisions by appealing them with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), leading to a 300% increase in appeals last year. This is unacceptable - people with disabilities shouldn’t have to justify or engage in legal services to ensure we receive appropriate support.

This is why we are calling on Bill Shorten to remove the legal avenue AAT from the mediation process between the agency and participants. The conciliation should happen outside the legal sphere with the help of experts who can empathise with our situation.

The NDIS needs a reset. The broader issues we are facing as participants aren’t just about funding. It’s also about the way we are being treated. When NDIS chooses the cheapest contractor for Declan’s housing modifications or doesn’t follow Jerusha’s therapist’s funding recommendations - the cost-cutting makes us feel like a burden on society. We deserve to be valued and respected.

When someone wants to question a decision about their NDIS plan, there is no one to talk to. If we choose to appeal, we face top-end lawyers hired by NDIS.

The NDIS needs to return to supporting people with disabilities to live good and functional lives.

Please help us transform NDIS to work for people with disabilities again by signing and sharing this petition.