Month:

From pitch to support: A budding career powered by passion and a drive for inclusion

  • December 12

Teamwork, as it happens, really does make the dream work. For a budding young footballer from Aotearoa (New Zealand), who ended up pursuing a dream career in Disability Support, team sports and team-based work really make the day-to-day something worthwhile. Although Ability Options’ Michelle was a footballer, the decision to play football – soccer, if you’re that way inclined – over the national sport of New Zealand (rugby league) was influenced by a driv... CONTINUE READING

Supporting people to build their independence

  • December 12

About five years ago, Brad was in a serious motorbike accident that left him injured and with a neurological disorder which required specialist treatment. He spent a long time going between hospitals and for three years of his life was non-verbal, being peg fed, and was aided by specialist equipment to help him go to the bathroom. Last year, he and his family sought more support to redevelop his communication skills, build his strength, and regain some of his indepen... CONTINUE READING

Matt’s Journey Towards Independence

  • August 18

Karen is a Support Coordinator who works as part of our Coordination of Supports team. She has been supporting Matt, a participant with MS, for four years. As Matt’s Support Coordinator, Karen’s role is to assist and guide Matt in his journey towards independent living. She does this by helping Matt ‘build his capacity to better understand his NDIS plan and the NDIS process and procedures.’ Karen also supports Matt work on his life goals, while also ‘assisting him in finding the right... CONTINUE READING

Kylie and Ben’s Story

  • July 21

Kylie, 40, and was discharged from the Royal North Shore Hospital, following a serious brain aneurysm. The aneurysm led Kylie to be a wheelchair user, nonverbal, living in an aged care facility in Sandgate, a suburb of Newcastle.   Kylie was able to then transition out of aged care, and into our Supported Independent Living (SIL) Accommodation. Before the move, Kylie had been in aged care for 1.5 years. A range of amazing people including direct supports, a multidisciplinary therapy t... CONTINUE READING

Vanessa’s Newfound Freedom

  • August 23

Vanessa had been living in a nursing home after being hospitalised, after she developed a long-term illness. This illness resulted in Vanessa becoming completely blind and needing to use a wheelchair for mobility. Prior to her diagnosis, Vanessa had lived independently and had also run her own hairdressing business. Vanessa wanted to change her living arrangements and after receiving a Supported Assessment, she connected with our Support Coordinator, Karmen, who worked with Vanessa t... CONTINUE READING

Hristo Finds his Ideal Home

  • June 12

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

Lauren and Both Find a Place to Call Home

  • May 4

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

Julie on her transition to the NDIS

  • January 20

Julie has achieved her dream of being independent again, through opportunities provided by Ability Options and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Julie chose to work with Ability Options to plan her supports and to assist her to achieve her goals shortly after she gained approval through the NDIS. A condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, caused Julie’s vision to become impaired. This was a big change in Julie’s life and took some adjustment; she sometimes felt a sen... CONTINUE READING

What is NDIS Plan Management?

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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.