Systemic gaps in disability support: rethinking foundational care beyond the NDIS
Original framing: “What should ‘foundational supports’ look like for people ineligible for the NDIS?” — The Conversation - Global
The voices of disabled people who are ineligible for the NDIS are often excluded from policy discussions. These individuals include those with psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and those from refugee backgrounds. Their lived experiences are critical to designing inclusive systems that reflect the diversity of human experience.
The current gaps in disability support in Australia are not merely a matter of funding or administration but reflect deeper structural exclusions rooted in colonial and neoliberal paradigms.
By integrating Indigenous and cross-cultural knowledge, expanding eligibility, and centering the voices of those most affected, Australia can move toward a more inclusive and equitable system. This requires not only policy reform but a cultural shift in how society understands and values disability. The NDIS must evolve from a narrow, individualized model to one that embraces the complexity of human diversity and the interdependence of all people.