Hi everyone,

My name is Jerusha, and I’m reaching out to address an urgent and deeply personal issue. I’m calling for a critical change to the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) to provide funding for professional support workers accompanying participants during travel. This funding should cover their essential expenses, including food, accommodation, flights, and work hours, to ensure that NDIS participants can travel with the dignity and care they deserve.

I’m speaking from a place of profound frustration, pain, and exhaustion. As someone who travels frequently, I’ve faced countless barriers due to the lack of support for professional support workers in the travel context. Instead of being able to rely on skilled professionals for assistance, I’ve had to ask my parents to step in and support me on every trip. This is unfair, unsustainable, and completely impractical. It puts an undue emotional and financial strain on my family and leaves me feeling frustrated and powerless.

The current system assumes that people with disabilities can either manage independently during travel or rely on unpaid support from loved ones. This assumption is not only outdated but also discriminatory. Travel is not just a luxury—it’s a necessary part of life for many of us. Whether it’s for work, education, family responsibilities, or simply to explore and enjoy life, travel is essential. Yet the system’s failure to provide adequate support denies us the freedom and independence that others take for granted.

I believe this issue highlights a significant gap in the NDIS framework that needs immediate attention. By refusing to cover the costs of professional support workers’ travel-related expenses, the NDIS is limiting the opportunities and choices available to its participants.

Here’s what I’m asking for:

 1. Inclusion of Support Workers’ Travel Costs: The NDIS should fund support workers’ flights, accommodation, and meals when they are required to travel with a participant.
 2. Fair Payment for Support Workers’ Hours: Support workers should be compensated for their time and efforts during travel, just as they are for any other service provided.
 3. Clear Guidelines and Access: The NDIS should establish straightforward policies to make this process seamless and accessible to participants.

This change isn’t just about me—it’s about ensuring equality, inclusion, and independence for every NDIS participant who travels or aspires to travel. Everyone deserves the opportunity to explore the world, pursue their goals, and connect with loved ones without barriers.

I need your help to make this change happen. Please sign this petition and share it widely with your networks. Together, we can send a powerful message to the NDIS: it’s time to prioritize accessibility, fairness, and independence for all.

Thank you for standing with me and advocating for this critical change. Let’s make travel truly inclusive.

Sincerely,
Jerusha