Hristo has been using Ability Options' Support Coordination service since 2016. In late 2019, Hristo and his family met with his Support Coordinator, Krystal, to talk about moving out of home into Supported Independent Living (SIL), with access to 24/7 support. Krystal coordinated with Anna, our SIL Engagement Specialist, and arranged information sessions to support the family to make an informed decision... CONTINUE READING
Two participants, Lauren and Both (pronounced Booth) were referred to the Ability Options Support Coordination (COS) Team in mid-March 2020, looking for supported accommodation. Lauren was referred, as she was based at Springwood Hospital with no medical reason to stay there. During her first appointment with our Support Coordinator, Karen, Lauren and her family expressed their desire for her to move into a permanent home to call her own. Within two weeks, Lauren relocated into a fully access... CONTINUE READING
Harry is a participant of WorkReady and has experienced significant growth in his time with our service. During this time, he has achieved many goals, including; working on the driver knowledge test, improving social skills, handling money, increasing his independent living and travel skills. In addition, Harry’s consultant also supported him to complete a First Aid Course, Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology, Certificate II in Hospitality, and accomplish his goal of gai... CONTINUE READING
‘Thread Together’ is a new organisation that takes new clothing, shoes and accessories that don’t sell in retail stores (and are destined for landfill) and distribute to service users and participants of Not for Profit organisations. Ability Options have just entered into an agreement with Thread Together, and recently a group of Sydney accommodation residents went on a shopping trip to the Thread Together store in the city.... CONTINUE READING
Brendan joined WorkReady in September 2018. During this time Brendan worked vigorously toward achieving his career goal of employment within the hospitality industry and did so with a passionate determination, strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn. Brendan successfully gained RSA and RCG qualifications and obtained his Learners License. Brendan would consistently express his love for his “local” – The Wyong Milk Factory. Brendan was in awe of this multi-faceted hospitality busines... CONTINUE READING
If you’ve never been unemployed, you may occasionally dream of never working again. However, for many people who have been out of the workforce for more than a few months, there may be a sense of alienation from society and anxiety about whether their situation will ever change. That anxiety is exacerbated for those with a physical or mental impairment, who know they face additional hurdles to getting a job. When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was legislated for in 20... CONTINUE READING
Marc and Annie O’Neill (Occupational Therapist) have been working together since March this year. Marc identified he wanted to improve his cooking skills and practice making meals at home. The Therapy Team have been supporting Marc with his goal. Together with Marc’s Support Workers, Annie has been working with Marc to build his capacity to prepare meals independently. So far, they’ve made spaghetti bolognese, nachos, and most recently a chicken and vegetable stir fry with the aid of hi... CONTINUE READING
Rose has attended WorkReady since August of 2018 where she joined us as a Year 12 student. Rose had a goal of learning employment skills in the hope of eventually getting a job within the hospitality industry. Rose expressed to Consultants that she loved cooking but did not think this is something she was capable of doing for work. Our staff worked with Rose on customer service, appropriate behaviour, communication skills and money counting skills before placing her in to work experience at N... CONTINUE READING
Emma joined the WorkReady service in July 2018 with her goals being to secure part-time role where she is able to help others and to build upon her confidence and independence through life skills. With these goals in mind, WorkReady Consultants created tailored one on one sessions and worked with Emma to develop her employment, communication and life skills in order to prepare her for the workforce and independent living. Emma attended WorkReady whilst also completing her final year of sc... CONTINUE READING
I first approached Top Coat about an opportunity to fill an Apprenticeship role as a Furniture Finisher, in December 2018. I remember walking in to meet the Owner Roger, not sure how he would react about meeting a young girl for an apprenticeship in a predominantly male environment. My main concern was Tayler had already turned 21, so she wouldn't even be considered as wages play a large part in apprenticeships and people over 21 receive adult rates of pay. I had only spoken to Roger over the ph... CONTINUE READING
Ability Options would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.
