They have disabilities, pensions and get little support. They’re also among thousands rejected by the NDIS each year

‘How many people aren’t getting through? There’s a lot I think.’ Scott Hallett, who has degenerative lumbar disc disease and has had his NDIS claims rejected. Photograph: Meliora Support Services

Scott Hallett, 49, has that country stoicism. He’ll tell you that, at any point in time, his legs will stop working and he’ll collapse – but it’s not that bad. He’ll tell you that one time it happened and the fridge came down on top of him, but that’s nothing to worry about.

He’ll tell you that, around his house in Yarraman, in regional Queensland, he has piles of supplies, muesli bars and water, because sometimes he can’t get up for days after one of his falls. He once had to lie there for a week, in his own mess, because he couldn’t get up.