Making Sense of the NDIS Changes: What the latest reforms mean for children, young people and families

From 1 October, new changes to the NDIS will take effect, and this free online webinar will explain what that means for children, young people and families.

There's still a lot that's not known, so this session will give you the real facts, in a way you can understand, from a young NDIS participant, leading disability advocates, and lawyers who specialise in the NDIS and human rights.

We'll cover what's changing in the NDIS, including what parents are responsible for, changes to NDIS plan reviews, reductions in social and community participation supports, and how you can appeal NDIS decisions.

This webinar is for children and young people with disability, families and caregivers, but disability and community organisations and service providers are welcome too.

When you register below, you can submit a question if you like - this will help us shape what we cover, and there'll also be a live Q&A during the webinar. Any questions we don't get to will be answered in writing afterwards.

Join the webinar - Zoom link

Join the webinar on Wednesday 23 September at 1pm AEST here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86366595745

Speakers

Host: Skye Kakoschke-Moore, CEO, Children and Young People with Disability Australia

Skye Kakoschke-Moore (she/her) joined CYDA as CEO in October 2022. After growing up in the Middle East, Skye completed Law and Economics degrees at Flinders University before entering politics. Initially working as an advisor to an independent Senator, Skye was elected as a Senator for South Australia in 2016. After leaving politics, Skye worked in disability policy advocacy and implemented multiple co-designed capacity building projects with people with disability, including young people, people with disability in regional areas and people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Co-host: Oriela Williams

Oriela Williams (They/Them) is proudly a young disabled, neurodivergent and queer person with a culturally and linguistically diverse background. Oriela has lived experience as a NDIS participant and SDA/SIL resident. Oriela is a part of CYDA’s Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ Community Leadership Program. They have significant lived and advocacy experience of recent NDIS reform, co-organising Protect Our NDIS rallies to advocate for changes to the NDIS Amendment Bill, speaking at Senate hearings and experiencing cuts to their own NDIS plan. 

Belinda Kochanowska, Founder and Principal of Intrepidus Law

Belinda Kochanowska was awarded the prestigious Queensland Law Society Solicitor of the Year Award in 2025 and was a finalist of the 2025 Australian Human Rights Commission Law Award. Intrepidus Law is a disability rights law firm, providing legal representation in NDIS appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal and Federal Court of Australia, and expert legal advice on disability discrimination and NDIS law. Intrepidus Law is a private legal practice committed to reinvesting in our communities through our Systemic Advocacy Program.

Darryl Steff, CEO, Down Syndrome Australia

Darryl Steff has been CEO of Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) since January 2023 after more than seven years as CEO of Down Syndrome Queensland.

Darryl has more than 25 years of experience in leadership, governance and financial management. He is also the parent of a child with disability. His professional and lived experience gives him a strong understanding of the issues facing people with intellectual disability and their families. 

Sheetal Balakrishnan, Senior Solicitor, Justice and Equity Centre

Sheetal has practiced as a lawyer for over 13 years, specialising in social justice issues. She joined the Justice and Equity Centre’s Strategic Litigation team in 2021, focusing on disability rights. Sheetal represents clients appealing NDIS decisions and uses specialist knowledge of NDIS law and policy to empower disability rights advocates and compel systemic change. She also represents clients in disability discrimination claims in the Australian Human Rights Commission and Federal Court. 

Jenny Karavolos, Co-Chair and Executive Office, Australian Autism Alliance

Jenny Karavolos (she/her) is Co-Chair and Executive Officer of the Australian Autism Alliance and CEO of the Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia (DACSSA).

With more than 20 years’ executive leadership experience across defence, technology and disability, Jenny brings a practical systems perspective to complex reform. Jenny is a former CEO of Autism SA and Commercial Adviser and Lead Negotiator for Saab Australia. She holds board and national advisory roles and secured Australian Government commitments to the National Autism Strategy and National Autism Health and Mental Health Roadmap.

Jenny is a CPA, holds an MBA, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and brings lived experience as the parent of a young Autistic adult.

Location

It's a free online event via Zoom.

Link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86366595745

Accessibility

This session will be:

• Auslan interpreted

• Live captioned

• Recorded (with captions and Auslan) and shared on CYDA's YouTube channel after the event.

If there is anything else we can do to make this event more accessible to you, please let us know when registering.

Contact

If you need help registering or have any questions, please contact CYDA:

Call: (03) 9417 1025 or 1800 222 660
Email: info@cyda.org.au