_{If this email has been forwarded to you, sign up here}

Support helped April regain independence. Now cuts threaten it — and needs that cannot be seen face another barrier: being understood.

The ABC reports despite specialist advice April Coulson’s funded physical therapy has fallen from six hours a week to two. She now fears losing her capacity to return to work following a spinal cord injury. The NDIA declines to discuss her case but insists it has considered all submitted evidence.

Meanwhile the Authority is also under fire from one of its high-profile hires. Advocate Elly Desmarchelier was employed to demonstrate the NDIA was an inclusive workplace that could find a role for everyone . . . but apparently that’s not the case.

Brain injury presents another recognition problem. A significant report in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend magazine traverses the issue of head injury, also known as TBI/ABI. This is the ‘invisible disease’, Exclusion is par for the course for most with such an injury, exacerbated by the lack of obvious physical signals such as wheelchairs.

Brain Injury Australia explains that changes affecting thinking, emotions and behaviour can be difficult to see. Synapse describes how injury can impair impulse control and self-awareness.

Someone may look physically recovered while struggling to regulate behaviour. When others interpret those difficulties simply as bad conduct, returning to work and community life becomes harder.

Bottom line: Equal rights do not mean identical support. Treating disability as one uniform condition risks overlooking the help that makes participation possible.

What to watch next: Coulson’s challenge to the funding cuts is before the Administrative Review Tribunal. Does more support for one person mean there’s less for another?

Hearing fee update: The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has issued an updated Hearing Services Program notice covering indexed fees and service requirements, replacing its June notice. It clarifies that clients cannot be charged for remote controls claimed under the program; the schedule applies from 1 July 2026.

Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

NDIS fraud sentence: The NDIA reports a Sydney woman has received seven years and six months in prison for fraud and money laundering involving more than $2.2 million obtained from the NDIS. The agency says properties and bank accounts have been restrained, with action under way to recover assets allegedly obtained through fraud.

Source: NDIA

Assessment gaps: Palliative Care Australia says aged care assessments do not specifically identify palliative care needs, leaving people with progressive illness at risk of inadequate support. It calls for needs-based access to end-of-life care, warning that predicting a short life expectancy can be particularly difficult for people with dementia and neurological conditions.

Continuing context — published 18 August 2026; relevant to the fresh reporting on dementia assessments below.

Source: Palliative Care Australia

NDIS slashes Brisbane woman's physical therapy hours against expert advice

The ABC reports April Coulson is experiencing greater pain, fatigue and reliance on family after her therapy funding was reduced. Aruma chief executive Martin Laverty questions decisions overriding clinical recommendations; the NDIA says it considers all evidence and must apply reasonable-and-necessary funding requirements.

Source: ABC News | Paywall: No

Dementia patients warned off seeking home care in case Australia’s aged care algorithm cuts funding

Guardian Australia reports that some people with dementia were discouraged from seeking reassessment because they could lose support despite worsening needs. Freedom-of-information documents reveal warnings from advocacy organisations; the department says it plans an escalation process for assessors rather than restoring their power to override the algorithm.

Source: Guardian Australia | Paywall: No

NDIA told to ‘practise what you preach’ as Elly Desmarchelier lays bare ‘nightmare’ workforce culture

Goodness. The Australian reports disability advocate Elly Desmarchelier alleges exclusion and inadequate workplace adjustments while employed by the NDIA. The agency defends its commitment to inclusion, saying nearly a quarter of its workforce identify as having disability. Summary based on visible public preview only.

Source: The Australian | Paywall: Yes

Gippsland Latrobe Youth Spaces program at risk of closure as funding dwindles

Relevant to support beyond individual NDIS plans.

The ABC’s Danielle Kutchel reports Gippsland Youth Spaces fears closure without ongoing funding, having already cut programs and sold its buses. Victoria says it has provided more than $9 million and expected the service to become independent of government funding.

Source: ABC News | Paywall: No