Arabic version: تخفيضات إن دي آي إس قد توقف محاولة لاعب بولينج كفيف لتمثيل أستراليا

West Australian athlete Serge Asquer says cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) could end his dream of representing Australia at the blind bowls championship next year.

According to ABC News, Asquer, from Mount Barker in the Great Southern region, lost his vision after taking hydroxychloroquine for rheumatoid arthritis and took up lawn bowls seven years ago. A former marksman, he previously accessed up to 24 hours of support services a week through the NDIS; those hours were cut to four per week last year and are scheduled to be halved twice before March 2028, leaving him with one accessible support hour at the end of his three-year plan.

The reduced support has forced Asquer to rely on friends and family for transport and day-to-day help, which he said is impractical because “they have jobs and lives as well — they can’t just take time off to help me get into town.” He said he had asked the NDIS for access to assistive technology but had not made much headway. Asquer warned that without continued access to support and assistive technology he fears he will no longer be able to participate in bowls: “Without bowls, I have nothing. Bowls is my life.”

The case highlights that Asquer is one of about 11,000 Australians with primary vision impairments who access NDIS funding for support services. The proposed changes are part of wider cost-reduction measures that would see more than 200,000 people removed from the NDIS over four years, a shift that has prompted a Senate inquiry into the cuts.

Federal Greens senator and disability rights activist Jordon Steele-John told ABC News the reductions undermine community participation and dignity, calling the cuts “indiscriminate” and saying sport and a “fair go” are central to Australian values. He questioned where a fair go for people like Asquer fits in under the proposed changes.

An NDIS spokesperson said funding decisions are made based on the evidence provided and in line with the NDIS Act, and noted participants have the right to request a review of agency decisions, including through the Administrative Review Tribunal. Those affected, including Asquer, are awaiting the outcome of the Senate inquiry while individuals can appeal their own funding decisions.

Related sections: General | Australia/استراليا | Western Australia | Social/إجتماعية