Bandwidth taxation refers to the cumulative cognitive, emotional, logistical, and relational load placed on families—especially those of disabled or marginalised children—by systems that require constant advocacy, documentation, and procedural navigation to access basic rights or support. Families must fill out forms, chase assessments, coordinate therapies, attend meetings, respond to emails, and repeatedly explain their child’s needs to new staff or professionals. Beyond these tasks, bandwidth taxation reflects the deeper drain on attention, executive functioning, trust, and emotional capacity. Time and energy that could be spent on care, connection, or rest are redirected into managing bureaucracy. This burden operates as a form of structural gatekeeping: systems rarely deny support outright, but instead impose layers of complexity that only those with the time, knowledge, and stamina to persist can navigate.