'We are really scared': NDIS provider shutters day program as federal cuts loom

Canberra community members are concerned that the closure of a local NDIS program does not bode well for the disability community ahead of looming federal cuts to the scheme.

Carers ACT will close its hub disability day program and NDIS support coordination service at the start of October, citing operating costs and funding arrangements, with advocates worried it may not be the last.

The NDIS overhaul will result in many being kicked off or prevented from accessing the now-$50 billion scheme, and being moved to yet-to-be-built state- and territory-run supports.

The overhaul is expected to save an estimated $37.8 billion over the next four years.

The Carers ACT hub program aimed to help with independent living skills and daily activities including household chores, music and social outings.

Benjamin Zarew, a disability advocate and NDIS recipient himself, said he attended the ACT Carers day program to improve his mental wellbeing and spend time out of the house.

"I feel sad, but there's opportunity with other agencies [for me]," he said.

"I'm worried about the other people who may not be aware because of their disabilities … some people have to have a constant routine, and that change is going to feel that effect."

The federal government's NDIS bill passed after a deal between Labor and the Coalition, but not without heavy criticism from the Greens and ACT senator David Pocock. 

Mr Zarew said he was very "disappointed in the politicians for basically allowing this bill to go through".

The now-passed bill includes a detail that has been heavily criticised by those living with a disability, their advocates and others in the disability sector. 

The NDIS minister of the day has been given social and community participation budget cuts of up to 50 per cent. These cover things such as hiring support workers to take participants to the doctor or supermarket.

Mr Zarew faces that particular cut himself. His own plan is poised to be slashed as the changes come into effect. 

Others have warned that their plans have already been cut, despite the changes not having come into full effect yet — they will be made official in October this year.

"It's going to limit what I can do; I'm a bit nervous about that," he said of the upcoming cuts.

"It's going to be challenging for everyone… I think it is going to be really harmful.

"They say they want disabled people in the community to be out, seen and heard, but we are going back to being ghosts essentially."

Official concerns

In a statement posted to its website, Carers ACT said: "Like many organisations across the community sector, Carers ACT is responding to increasing operating costs, funding pressures and changes across the disability and aged care sectors".

"After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close the Hub Disability Day Program and our NDIS Support Coordination services," the statement said.

"Changes to funding arrangements mean these services have increasingly required Carers ACT to subsidise their delivery, and this is no longer financially sustainable."

ACT Greens MLA Laura Nuttall said the fear is reaching fever pitch in the community as the cuts loom, as "people don't know exactly what's coming".

"People are contacting our office all the time, saying, ' Hey, please fight this; we are really scared'," she said.

"And I don't blame them; their human rights are being put up for debate."

Ms Nuttall is concerned the local ACT government does not have a safety net for disability programs which will be affected by the cuts, as they begin to roll in.

"I think a lot of people in our community feel this is the sign of the times and that this is not the first or last program that we are going to see cut for people with a disability," she told the ABC.

"Where are these supports that are supposed to catch us? …I don't think the territory is prepared for it."

Shannon Kolack, the CEO of Act Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, said the closure was devastating for the disabled community, as some had attended the hub five days a week for years, and she also wasn't sure how the ACT would shoulder more of the services. 

She added that the closure of the Carers ACT NDIS support program was devastating as good support coordinators are hard to find.

"Day programs especially, or programs that rely on people's social and community participation [NDIS] funding may not be able to offer services anymore," she said.