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Disability Services Stories

Farming with a purpose: Participants build pathways towards independence

A Support Worker on the Mid-North Coast has been supporting people with disability build pathways to independence by providing opportunities at her family farm.   Carla, an Ability Options Support Worker, owns and manages Privada Farm together with her husband Duncan. She regularly runs farm progra

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Embracing Change: Mathew’s Journey from R&R Care to Ability Options

Late last year, R&R Care, a disability services provider on the Mid-North Coast, joined the Ability Options community. Mathew, who worked at CHESS Connect before moving to R&R Care about a year ago, shares his thoughts and experiences of the transition to Ability Options.  My name is Mathew

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Recognising dedication to our sector: Tracey, STAR 2022 Employee of the Year

ParentsNext Manager Tracey took home the trophy for STAR Employee of the Year at our annual STAR Awards Ceremony, recognised by our colleagues for her extraordinary efforts in 2022.  The leadership Tracey demonstrated throughout the year is something to aspire to. She’s built a strong team who st

Disability Services Stories

Striving to achieve best practice and outcomes for people with disability: Melanie, Senior Manager, Clinical Services

The Quality, Practice & Assurance (QPA) division is made up of several teams that are responsible for achieving best practice and outcomes for participants using Ability Options’ services, while advocating for the rights of people with disability.   One of those teams is the clinical service

Disability Services Stories

Ability Options participants spend school holiday fun at Taronga Zoo

A bustling school holiday program, run by Ability Options on the Northern Beaches, saw a group of school students take a trip to Taronga Zoo.    The program, which supports young people in the community between the ages of six and 17 years, has proven to be hugely popular and offered plenty of

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NAIDOC Week 2023: The important roles played by Aboriginal Elders in Australian communities

In this article, Jessica, an Ability Options Practice Manager in Disability Services, speaks on the importance of First Nations Elders in our communities, the many roles they play, and how her experiences with them have impacted her life. Being an Aboriginal woman is more than how I identify; our c

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NAIDOC Week 2023: Recognising inequalities to build an inclusive Australia

  By Julia Squire, CEO Ability Options I would like to first acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which Ability Options operate across the state of New South Wales and pay my respect to or First Nations people and their elders, past, present and emerging. Under the asphalt and con

Employment Services Stories

WorkReady Superstar Thomas achieves employment goals through food

Since leaving school in 2018, Ability Options participant Thomas has been working hard towards achieving his employment goals. Through our WorkReady program, he has gained a range of real-world experience in the culinary industry, and at just 24 years old, says he’s fortunate enough to have alread

Disability Services Stories

William and Leeanne find a safe haven with Ability Options

Ability Options recently supported participants William and Leeanne move into their brand-new home. They are enjoying their new neighbourhood and can’t wait to make the most out of their new lifestyle. Prior to moving into their new home, William and Leeanne lived in NSW public housing. They were

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How resilience can help you build strategies for success

It can be society’s view that disability is a one-size-fits-all label that defines a person’s lifestyle. However, not all disabilities are the same, nor are they all visible. As someone who has lived with a disability my whole life, I see disability as a characteristic which forms part of a pers