Wollongong, NSW: A leading disability advocacy service has issued a stark warning that people with disability are suffering amid what has been described as "one of the most difficult 12 months in recent history".

In a powerful new episode of the Community Matters podcast, Alison Oyston, Manager of Illawarra Advocacy, reveals the alarming reality facing people with disability in the Illawarra and across Australia as they navigate an increasingly complex and restrictive NDIS landscape.

"There's a lot of danger inherent in the circumstances we are seeing at the moment, and we are really screaming risk from the rooftops at our organisation - people with disability are suffering," Ms Oyston tells host Nicky in the new episode titled Disability Rights: With Alison Oyston – Screaming Risk from the Rooftops!

Ms Oyston points to a "convergence of factors" creating a perfect storm: an acute local housing crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, reduced sector capacity in support coordination and local area coordination, combined with constantly shifting NDIS requirements.

New NDIS rules creating additional barriers.

Recent changes to NDIS regulations have significantly reduced flexibility for participants, with new rules stipulating what is and isn't an eligible support. The introduction of "funding periods" means funds are often "drip fed" to participants rather than provided in full, creating risks that people will run out of money for necessary supports.

$60 million on lawyers while decisions overturned in 70% of cases.

Perhaps most troubling, Ms Oyston reveals that the NDIA has invested over $60 million in the last 12 months on private lawyers to defend decisions through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) – yet over 70% of these cases are decided in the applicant's favour.

"Are we not better served re-examining where we are investing our money?" Ms Oyston asks referring to this "adversarial litigious process" which people with disability face often without legal representation.

Life and death consequences.

Ms Oyston highlights the real-life consequences of funding reductions, referencing the recent death of a person with disability due to a plan not being funded at an appropriate level.

"There are a lot of people with disability who are really struggling at the moment and need our help in these uncertain times," she explains. Illawarra Advocacy has been supporting participants 77% above their funded targets, with no associated increase in funding for their services.

Essential listening for the disability community.

This episode is essential listening for people with disability, their families, providers and supporters seeking to understand the current challenges in the sector and how to access advocacy support.