World News Australia Online speaks to four members of the community who will be directly affected by changes in the budget. See what they have to say.
The disability advocate
Twenty-one year old Kelly Vincent is South Australia's youngest female Member of Parliament. She's also the only MP to use a wheelchair.
Ms Vincent became an MP for the state's Upper House after the founder of her party, Dignity for Disability, died suddenly just days out from South Australia's state election.
The Adelaide-based politician suffers from celebral palsy, and says the country's disabled population faces 'a big fight' to improve their situations.
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Even as an MP Ms Vincent has faced difficulties due to her disability. SA's Parliament House was not wheelchair accessible when she was elected, meaning she literally could not get into her new place of employment.
When running for parliament, Ms Vincent said issues like appropriate living conditions, transport and basic care and equipment are central to disabled people and their carers.
She will be looking to the federal government to address these issues in the upcoming federal budget.
The Budget
The federal government will make it harder for the disabled to get a pension.
Labor confirmed in Tuesday's budget that disability support pension (DSP) applicants would have to prove they cannot work independently, even with assistance and support, before being entitled to the benefit.
While the pension's eligibility criteria won't change, applicants will now have to provide evidence that they have been unable to obtain employment through an open employment service or vocational rehabilitation.
Currently, they don't have to demonstrate they have investigated alternative employment options when applying for the DSP.
Those with severe disability or illness, who are clearly unable to work, will be fast-tracked through the new system.
The changes come into effect from January 1, 2012 - the same time as revised DSP Impairment Tables are implemented.
The government said the out-of-date tables would soon reflect contemporary medical and rehabilitation practices.
The reforms, along with others to the welfare sector, are expected to deliver savings of $383 million over four years.
Budget Reaction
Ms Vincent acknowledges that there is an undeniable link between training education and employment as outlined in the budget - but with little information about training specifically for the disabled she is unsure if this will be of benefit to her.
"I am wondering how much of that training will be catering for the disabled and their needs because their education and training needs are different.
She is pleased that there is an emphasise on health.
"From what has been said do far, I think there have been steps taken in the right direction," she said.
Ms Vincent also pointed out that the cost of living for the disabled is rising and funds to assist in mobility equipment are needed.
