Canberra disability advocates and participants say they are concerned by Carers ACT's decision to close its Hub Disability Day Program and NDIS support coordination services by early October.
Citing rising operating costs, financial pressures, and upcoming funding changes, the provider says it can no longer afford to subsidise the programs.
The closure has raised alarm across the sector that more local disability service providers will follow suit, which could leave vulnerable Canberrans without support.
Canberra community members are concerned that the closure of a local NDIS program does not bode well for the disability community ahead of approaching federal cuts to the scheme.
The NDIS overhaul will result in many being kicked off or prevented from accessing the now-$50 billion scheme, and being moved to yet-to-be-built state- and territory-run supports.
The Carers ACT hub program aimed to help with independent living skills and daily activities including household chores, music and social outings.
Benjamin Zarew, a disability advocate and NDIS recipient himself, said he attended the ACT Carers day program to improve his mental wellbeing and spend time out of the house.
The federal government's NDIS bill passed after a deal between Labor and the Coalition, but not without heavy criticism from the Greens and ACT senator David Pocock.
The NDIS minister of the day has been given social and community participation budget cuts of up to 50 per cent.
Others have said that their plans have already been cut, despite the changes not having come into full effect yet — they will be made official in October this year.