The second annual All Abilities Expo, held at Murdoch University’s Boola Katitjin building, was a chance for NDIS providers and families of participants to discuss how to embrace change amidst major NDIS reforms.
Organised by the Melville Cockburn Chamber of Commerce, the expo featured exhibitors varying from health professionals to social sport groups.
Member for Victoria Park Hannah Beazley opened the event. She said events like the All Abilities Expo were vital to showing what can be done to foster strong communities, and a more inclusive environment in WA. .
Approximately 5.5 million Australians have a disability, with more than two thirds of those under 24 needing some support with everyday activities.
Infographic: Caris Harper
Chief executive officer of the MCCC and City of Cockburn councillor Chontelle Stone says the All Abilities Expo aims to ensure no one feels isolated or alone by connecting allied health professionals with the community that needs them.
She says the MCCC will be holding a round table discussion with allied health professionals in the coming weeks to find out what issues the community is facing, and put an advocacy plan in to place.
Murdoch University counselling student Mollika Veng runs the Murdoch Disability Support Body, a student-led group focused on creating a safe space for students with disabilities and anyone looking for connection, and a sense of belonging.
The group was started last year by two international students and holds weekly ‘Gather and Grow’ meetings where students can meet up to share their experiences.
Ms Veng hopes other universities will adopt similar student-run support groups.
“If we don’t have that kind of space where people can talk about their difficulties, chances are they would stay at home and not know that other people feel the same way.”
Mollika Veng, Murdoch Disability Support Body
The NDIS supports more than 750,000 active participants, with 41 per cent of participants under the age of 14.
In January of 2026, the National Cabinet agreed to multiple reforms of the NDIS in line with recommendations from the 2023 NDIS Review. The government says the goal is to keep the program sustainable for the future, aiming to cap annual growth at 5-6 per cent from its current.
Later this year the NDIS will adopt a new planning framework, where plans will be based on a support needs assessment centred around a person’s day to day needs. Plan budgets will be updated to include two variations of funding with different restrictions, known as flexible funding, and state supports funding. Changes to the NDIS come alongside other health reforms, including 25 billion dollars in extra funding for hospitals, and new initiatives known as ‘Foundational Supports’ outside the NDIS.
Kelete Studios director Kelly Mattravers says she has worked with the NDIS both for business, and as a mother to a child under the scheme.
“I think the biggest thing that people need to understand is the social connections. That’s a huge issue for a lot of families and a lot of participants. There needs to be more support and more funding relating to social aspects of NDIS rather than therapeutic.”
Director of Kelete Studios Kelly Mattravers
“I’m always concerned for change, nobody likes change,” she says.
“Hopefully change will always be for the better.”
Asha Hilton has performed with Para and Ability Dance WA for more than two years, and says it has been a joy to participate.
Asha’s mother, Alison Hilton, says people need to remember the positives coming out of the NDIS in terms of inclusion.
“It’s disappointing that there are negatives that come out, that overshadow what’s going on for young people like Asha; to be able to dance, to be able to go to school, and to dream and have goals.”
Alison Hilton, mother of Para Ability dancer Asha
“We can spend a lot of time worrying about change, but I think the most important thing we can do is to continue to engage, and to listen and understand, and to provide feedback to the NDIS and the NDIA about what’s working, and what’s not.”
Chairman of Para and Ability Dance Daryl Davenport says he doesn’t think the organisation would be able to operate without the NDIS.
“I applaud it for that,” he says.
Director of Showcare Health Fadzai Ethel Makasi spent more than 20 years working as a registered nurse before she started Showcare to support people who have been discharged from hospital into their homes.
She says she is happy the NDIS is working on improvement.
“The NDIA, by making these changes, they have evaluated and identified the gaps and they are there to improve and innovate. We just want to encourage everybody to embrace change. Change is very difficult, but it’s good changes that are coming out so far.”
Musician Benny Roe was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa when he was four years old, causing him to lose his vision.
He says music became his love and passion, where performing gave him a way to contribute to the community.
“Music for us is really important, we like to put smiles on people’s faces. I think with people with disability, we all want to do similar things, we want to contribute and be part of what makes our country great.”
Mr Roe is an NDIS participant, and previously worked with the NDIA helping applicants to access the scheme.
He says although it might not be everyone’s case, for him the NDIS has been fantastic for opening up opportunities support-wise, and getting out in the community.
“When you lose your sight and your ability to orientate and navigate around, doing everyday things like food shopping, cooking, just going for a walk and keeping active and fit, all these sorts of things become that much more difficult. The NDIS in that respect has really opened up a world for me and yeah, I love it.”
Benny Roe
Mr Roe says he isn’t too concerned about reforms, he just wants the NDIS to be here to stay.
New framework planning systems through the NDIS will be rolled out in the middle of the year, with the first FoundationaL Support, Thriving Kids, estimated to come into effect at the beginning of October.