‘One Trusted Source – Many Options’

ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 2015

ABLE CABLE

IN THIS ISSUEABILITY AWARENESS DAY

1All smiles with Mario Fenech1

HUNTER HAPPENINGS1Exciting growth in the region1

In the last 12 months Ability Options has delivered services to more than 3,000 people across New South Wales as we implemented our new ‘Safeguard, Strengthen, Shape’ strategy to be ‘Mission Focused - Market Driven’.

Mission focused and Market drivenOur continuing Mission is to lead the way in applying a truly person centred approach to our work, ensuring our services support people who need assistance to achieve their aspirations and inclusion in the community.

Simultaneously we have repositioned our organisation to be Market Driven, developing the organisational capabilities to allow us to anticipate changing customer needs and ensuring our long-term fi nancial sustainability.

The year 2014We have built a successful and fast-growing operationin the Hunter NDIS trial site, opened new state of the art accommodation options and assisted nearly 300 participants through our self-managed services. Our Employment teams have supported over 2,000 people to achieve their employment aspirations. We opened a new nursery in Redland Bay, Queensland and have now made our fi rst deliveries into Masters stores.

Able Cable is Ability Options’ quarterly newsletter. Please send any suggestions or comments to brandguardians@abilityoptions.org.au or call our MarComms team on (02) 8811 1777.

Cover: Ability Options outreach client Teresa with Mario Fenech, enjoying Ability Awareness Day.

Ability Options would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Aboriginal people and pay our respects to the Aboriginal elders both past, present and future. Ability Options respects the signifi cant contributions made by Aboriginal community organisations and groups, Aboriginal community members and Aboriginal staff.

New Chairperson appointedI’m delighted to also take this opportunity to introduceyou to Jon Isaacs who was appointed as chairperson in October 2014. Following a successful career in government and nine years as CEO of the Royal Blind Society, Jon now sits on the boards and audit committees of a range of government and commercial organisations. Importantly he brings an enormous breadth of skills and experience in strategic planning and governance to assist Ability Options to continue to adapt to the ever-changing realities of our sector.

Ability Options is now in an excellent position to continue to adapt and evolve and I look forward to keeping you informed about our successes (and learnings) in the months and years ahead.

Finally I would like to thank you all for your continued support and wish you and your families a safe and prosperous New Year.

Best regardsFred JP Van SteelChief Executive Offi cer

Fred Van Steel greets Jon Isaacs

CEOUPDATE

ABILITY OPTIONSAbility Options is the best option for everyone with disabilitybecause we deliver life-changing solutions that really work for the individual. We offer people a personalised solution to achieve both short and long term goals which enhance their life and allow them to be more independent and engaged with the community.

Ability Options is a not-for-profi t organisation established in 1976 to provide services for people with disability. Our services are individually focused to include holistic life options which promote choice and control. We arecommitted to enhancing quality of life, developing and enhancing meaningful relationships and supporting newexperiences. We are dedicated to providing opportunitiesfor people to develop valued roles in their community andbe seen and respected as contributing members of society.

We work tirelessly to enhance people’s lives and offer a wide range of support to thousands of people across NSW, including:

• Assistance transferring to the NDIS

• A range of accommodation options according to your support needs

• After school and vacation care

• Employment services

• Social and Community Activities

• Individualised self-managed funding services

• Supported employment in our Nursery

• Training to help you get the job that’s right for you.

C E R T I F I E D

QUALIT YM A N A G E M E N T S Y S T E M

D E S Q A

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PUBLIC GARDENS ARE BLOOMING THANKS TO OUR WHOLESALE NURSERYWith an ever growing wholesale client list the Ability Options Wholesale Nursery (St Clair) is proud to supply some of Sydney’s biggest retailers and gardens. Clients include The Archibald Fountain, Victoria Park, War Memorial and Parramatta Park; as well as supplying stocks to Old Parliament House, The Botanic Gardens, Parramatta Mall, Penrith Council Chambers and main street, AJC Randwick, Rosehill, Inghams, the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens and Roseville Golf Course.

The Nursery’s retail client base is alsoexpanding and currently provides plants to Woolworths, Masters Home Improvements, Aldi, Bunnings and Kmart.

ABILITY AWARENESS DAYAbility Awareness Day 2014 was held at Castle Hill RSL. The event, hosted by Triple M broadcaster Tom Herschell, celebrated the independence, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and how this is vital to building strong community connections.

200+ participants, staff, family and carers attended theday as well as special guests, former Paralympic silver medallist and more recently grand fi nalist on Australia’s Got Talent, Paul Nunnari (‘The Other Superman’). Also attending was South Sydney legend Mario Fenech, who congratulated all participants and acknowledged the importance of celebrating Ability Awareness Day and the work of Ability Options. Their joint message to attendees was to believe in yourselves, set your sights high to achieve your dreams and then nothing will stop you when put your mind to it.

‘Ability’s Got Talent’ saw a range of performances showcasing musical instruments, singing and dancing. Attendees came from all across Ability Options Programs – self-managed, drop-in support, community

access, case management, supported accommodation and transition to work. Songs performed ranged from old time classics from Hank Williams and Elvis to music from Michael Jackson which was presented in a fl ash-mob style dance routine. Congratulations to all of those who performed on the day, you were truly superstars!

If you missed out on viewing all of the fabulous snaps from our ‘Shooty Wall’ you can access them at: http://shooty.com.au/galleries/ability-options/

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Janet, Paul Nunnas, Lisa with MC Tom Herschell Jenny and Kristie

Barry celebrates Ability Awareness Day

‘POSSABLE’ – AN NDIS IDEAS EXPOAnn and Jemma Lee were also the poster girls for the Ability Options stand at Possable expo held in Maitland in November. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will roll out in this area soon. Like Ability Options, the expo focused on the ideals of person centred systems, and believing anything is possible in enabling people with disability to achieve an independent and fulfi lled life.

The expo offered the fi rst step for people in the area to come along and fi nd out about our services, and to feel more informed about how the NDIS works. It was an occasion to have some fun too with art and culture programs, sports workshops and live performances.

Ability Options staff were able to introduce the range of services to new clients and ran a competition in which three lucky visitors won a digital camera and a mini tablet.

THE HUNTER TEAMDanielle Heazlewood, Kristy Conrad and Hollie Payne have recently joined Kim Dempsey as case co-ordinators. We have found that under the NDIS, case management is a vital component and we’re pleased to have an even stronger team providing individualised coordination of supports to NDIS participants. Case co-ordinators – Hollie, Kristy, Danielle and Kim C di t H lli K i t D i ll d Ki

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE In May 2014 Ability Options, in collaboration with Compass Housing, were able to hand their fi rst clientthe keys to move into their own home. Now we have 13 residents happily settled in brand new architect-designed houses on the Central Coast, with more houses under construction. Each home provides a supported environment combined with independence, as part of the SAIF (Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund) initiative.

This initiative opens up a new way of living to people like Ann and Jemma Lee , pictured here. They’ve both got a place to call home, but what’s most important is that they can make their own decisions and live more independently. That’s the sentiment behind the Ability Options approach – developing innovative and personal solutions in housing, employment, life skills, training and community activities, to provide people with choice and control.

On the day she moved in, we asked Ann what it meantto her: ‘‘I’m excited to move into a place of my own.

I feel supported knowing there are others who are similar to me living close by and this is a great chance for me to be more independent. It’s been fun picking furniture and things for the kitchen and I can’t wait to cook food in my new kitchen and invite people over for a visit!”

ABLE CABLE FEBRUARY 2015

TH INKING GLOBALLY, ACTING LOCALLYAbility Options was recently awarded a small grant of $1000 from Johnson Controls to support their global employee driven program ‘Blue Sky Involve’.

This volunteer program encourages employees of Johnson Controls to form volunteer groups and work with local non-profi t organisations to support environmental stewardship or social service efforts, whilst gaining valuable leadership development skills.

The internationally recognised program was launched in 2006. Globally Johnson Controls employees have helped coordinate more than 7,000 projects and volunteered 973,969 hours of their time to local communities.

Late 2014, Ability Options designed a special cooking program involving some of our Transition to Work (TTW) participants and Johnson Controls volunteers. Each TTW participant paired up with a volunteer with each preparing a different dish for lunch.

This terrifi c day gave the participants the opportunity to show off their food preparation skills and for the volunteers to educate the TTW participants about their jobs as well.

This innovative partnership is a great opportunity for Ability Options to work with large global corporations to develop mutually, meaningful partnerships.

ABILITY OPTIONS –GROWTH IN THE HUNTER We continue to gain fi rst-hand experience of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in action and to acquire insights into the future of disability services, from our operation in the Hunter NDIS trial site.

This is especially valuable with the NDIS scheduled to start rolling out across NSW in mid 2016. Already, in just over 12 months, we have grown from supporting 8 clients to 128 in the Hunter region. This is testimony to our responsiveness, our willingness to continuously refi ne service delivery models and, most importantly, the professionalism of the team we are building.

Innovative accommodation

13 individuals have now moved in to their new homes and construction will soon be completed on further units in Wyoming, Gorokan and Glenmore Vale. Demand for this independent living accommodation is high and we expect the new homes will be occupied quickly. Damien Isaacs, Manager, Innovative Accommodation is implementing transition programs for each new resident and leading the expansion of this service in the Hunter.

We’re also gathering valuable data about the newly housed individuals’ social and community participation, and what changes they have experienced since moving into their new homes. Ability Options Research Offi cer Adrienne Morris is leading the project to understand the benefi ts to participants over and above more traditional housing models. This vital information will allow us to further refi ne our plans for future accommodation solutions and position us as the leader in the sector.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTWITH ABILITY OPTIONSCommunity Engagement is essential to Ability Options ongoing mission of increasing social access and inclusion. We regularly invite school and volunteer organisations to come to meet our staff and get involved.

The Ability Options Nursery was established as a Social Enterprise in 1995 and offers employment to people with disability. Last year over 50 young volunteers took part in the Optus RockCorps Day, lending a hand to spruce up the nursery grounds in St Clair, whilst having fun and learning how a nursery operates!

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SUSAN IS ACHIEVING HER ARTISTIC GOALSSusan is a talented, award-winning artist who recently received First Prize for her painting at the Penrith Show.

Ability Options supports Susan through the management of an Individualised Funding Package and as part of our support for Susan, we provide drop in support on a regular basis. Tracy Hedges, Ability Options community inclusion worker, meets up with Susan most weeks to help with any day to day activities.

Tracy was delighted to assist Susan to apply for a grant from the ‘My Choice Matters – Run Project’, a NSW Government program.

Due to Susan’s vision impairment she required assistance with completing the lengthy and detailed funding application, reading and sending e-mails, researching services and requesting quotes for the project budget.

Susan was successful in receiving the grant and is now busily working on a book of poetry, which she plans to self-publish.

Congratulations Susan!

As Ability Options respondsto ongoing change acrossthe disability sector it has become imperative thateach individual we support is able to connect with, be part of, and be celebrated as a contributing citizen to their community.

It is vital that all people are treated with respect and dignity and empowered to exercise real choice and control within their lives and personal ownership of their supports. Our focus is on a strengths-based approach, enhancing inclusion and further empowering people to have a voice, while remaining ever vigilant regarding human rights.

Ability Options’ services ensure that planning is focused around each individuals gifts and capacities, promoting

real life experiences and ensuring the person we support is in the driver’s seat.

Nick pictured here, is a keen bowler and talks passionately about connecting with his community through bowling.

“I go to AMF Bowling at Rooty Hill on Saturdays. I like the venue there and the staff, Margaret and Lisa. I bowl in the Cumberland Filpack League. Margaret and Lisa run the league well and are very supportive. I like the people I bowl with in the league. I started bowling with the Cumberland Filpack League at Rooty Hill in 2008. Before that I bowled at Blacktown. I always try to get a good score by smashing as many pins as I can. I concentrate and focus on bowling a good ball so I can get a strike.

My highest score is 205. I bowled this in May this year. I bowled 5 strikes. I bowled a “turkey” then got 2 strikes at the 8th and 9th frames. I was so excited when

I bowled the high score. I threw my arms up in the air and shouted “I’m the top, I’m the one and I’m the man”. I was so happy I was laughing. Margaret made a special announcement over the PA letting everyone know my score and I also got a bowling pin.

Bowling means so much to me because I’m a good bowler and I like getting high scores. I like to do my best and I like the compliments from my friends when I have bowled well and got a good score.”

THE JOURNEY TO BEING TRULY PERSON CENTRED STARTS WITH SMALL STEPS

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ABLE CABLE FEBRUARY 2015

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KIARA IS NOW DRESSED FOR SUCCESS!Meet Kiara, who’s only 16 and after having a diffi cult start in life, walked out of home with just the clothes on her back.

Kiara worked at McDonalds, however her dream career was to work in Real Estate.

Kiara visited ‘Dress for Success’ Sydney with Alexandra from Ability Options, Employment Division, who believed in her and knew she wouldgo far in her career, “Kiara has always had it in her to be successful butjust needed a confi dence boost to help her reach her ultimate goal”.

After meeting with ‘Dress for Success’ Kiara has now found a job with, Richardson & Wrench Real Estate Windsor who is a very supportive employer. Kiara loves her new job and feels that the visit with ‘Dress for Success’ really helped her as she now feels like she is dressed professionally when she goes to work.

Ron Coleman and Ken Green from Richardson & Wrench are very understanding of Kiara’s circumstances and are excited about working with Kiara and guiding her in the career path she has chosen.

Over 60 guests gathered at venues in Wollongong, Campbelltown and Liverpool to hear Indigenous sporting icons Mark Ella, Jim Williams and David Peachey explain how the VTEC program assists organisations toemploy trained and committed indigenous staff to meet their specifi c needs.

The Ability Options VTEC program’s sole objective is to increase the employment of Indigenous Australians and their participation in economic activities, with the aim of contributing to the commitment by the Australian Government to halve the gap between the employment of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The Ability Options VTEC program is a demand-driven model which connects Indigenous job seekers with guaranteed jobs. We prepare job seekers for long term employment through structured training and individual support. The support doesn’t stop when someone starts work as our consultants then follow up in the early stages of their new job to offer advice, encouragement and on-site visits. This of course also helps with employee retention.

The events were deemed a great success with a number of employers committing to jobs on the day. The breakfasts sparked interest in VTEC fromlocal and national organisations, with several requesting further involvement.

Mark Ella, one of our celebrity speakers, noted in his address to guests that he “wished a program like VTEC was available a few years back as he has a family member who would have really benefi ted from the program.”

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ABILITY OPTIONS JOINS OLYMPUS SOLUTIONSOlympus Solutions is a new joint venture company formed by some of the employment sectors leading service and employment organisations. The joint venture brings together Ability Options and employment service providers Break Thru, Nortec and Communicare as well as service delivery specialists iEmpower, Workpower, WhiteLion, MDA, Suremploy and indigenous employer experts Pindari all under the Olympus banner.

CareerOne and job search engine Adzuna (formerly MyCareer) have also partnered with Olympus Solutions, further maximizing the benefi ts to both employers and job seekers.

Olympus Solutions offers employers a vast range of experience to provide the best employment solutions for large and small businesses delivering a more collaborative and innovative employment service, whilst also simplifying contract management for Government.

Fred Van Steel, CEO Ability Options met with Ross Lewis, CEO of Break Thru People Solutions prior to the New Year break. They discussed Olympus’ innovative approach to employment and employer relations and the opportunities ahead. Faitotoa Asa, Mark Ella and Brenda OdewahnFred Van Steel meets with Ross Lewis

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Ability Options offer meaningful social activities to support people with disability in acquiring new skills and making new friends. The focus is on individual needs and goals to ensure people increase their independence and are better connected within their communities. Please email Pille.Puvendi@abilityoptions.org.au to fi nd out more or phone 8811 1723.

COMMUNITY ACCESS CALENDAR

MONDAY

FEATHERS, FURS, FINS AND CREEPY CRAWLIES Various venues9.30am - 2.30pmMeet up with animals furry, feathered or otherwise. You will have an opportunity get up close with the animals, or you can just stand back and watch.

BOWLINGAMF Bowling, Rooty Hill10.00am - 12.00pmLearn the skills of bowling, make new friends and be part of a bowling team. This popular program is lots of fun for everyone and there’s a party at the end of the program to celebrate our strikes.

TUESDAY

ENTERTAINMENTVarious venues9.30am - 2.30pmA great way to spend the day, going to popular spots including our local clubs. There will usually be a show as well as lunch. Be prepared to be entertained!

Shake and RattleSeven Hills10.00am – 12.00pmJoin in for a bit of dance and shimmy. This program is for those who enjoy good music, crazy beats and a chance to catch up over some yummy morning tea.

Let’s be CraftySeven Hills10.00am - 12.00pmEnjoy painting, cutting, gluing and all things crafty? Then this is a chance to explore your creativity. You’ll have an enjoyable morning and make something to keep and show off to friends and family.

The Games We PlaySeven Hills12.00pm - 2.00pmBingo, drafts, cards, board games and all manner of fun activities. This program offers you the opportunity to meet people, make new friends and have a really great time.

WEDNESDAY

OUT WE GO!Various Venues 9.30am - 2.30pmExplore Sydney by visiting old favourites as well as new places. We will take the van and head off into the city and the bush. Who knows what you will see on the way?

GROOVY BEATSSeven Hills10.00am - 12.00pmGet down and get funky. Here’s your opportunity to meet with your friends and enjoy dancing and singing to your favourite music.

BUSY BRAINSSeven Hills12.00pm - 2.00pmDo you need some help with counting your money? Maybe sometimes reading and writing seems like a bit of a chore. Our fun program will help you with some reading, writing and counting skills so that you can feel more confi dent when out and about.

LET’S DO LUNCHVarious Venues10.00am - 2.00pmVisit BBQ venues in our local parklands and recreational areas. You will get to prepare and cook your lunch using creative ingredients and enjoying yummy food.

THURSDAY

YOUNG @ HEARTVarious venues9.30am - 2.30pmThis ever popular program for the ‘young at heart’ Join in to visit social venues and the latest shows. Rediscover old favourites and explore new places. Lunch included.

EASTER PROGRAMSeven Hills10.00am - 12.00pmA celebration of all things Easter. Craft projects include decorating Easter Eggs, cards and much, much more. Make something creative to take home or to give to someone special.

SWIMMINGVarious venues10.00am - 2.00pmSwim with a small group so you can feel secure. This session is about encouraging and assistingyou to be comfortable and safe around water as well as catch up with your friends.

TEA AND TINY CAKESSeven Hills12.00pm - 2.00pmWho doesn’t enjoy a great cup of tea? And it’s even better when you have a little sweet thing on the side. Make tea, bake some sweets and then enjoy sharing the results with your friends.

FRIDAY

BOWLINGAMF Bowling, Rooty Hill10.00am - 12.00pmLearn the skills of bowling, make new friends and be part of a bowling team. This popular program is lots of fun for everyone and there’s a party at the end of the program to celebrate our strikes.

PUBSPORTSVarious venues 11.00am - 2.00pmOur ever popular PubSports program - enjoy a pub lunch with your friends and play pool, cards or other activities.

PAMPER MEVenue – TBC11.00am - 1.00pmCome join us for special pampering sessions. We’ll cover a variety of ways to make you look and feel great - including manicures, massages and haircuts.

FEBRUARY / MARCH

Suite 1.14, 29-31 Lexington DriveBella Vista, NSW 2153

Ph: (02) 8811 1777Fax: (02) 8811 1788

Email: brandguardians@abilityoptions.org.auwww.abilityoptions.org.au

ABN: 92 003 175 335

If you would like to provide any feedback or suggestions about Able Cable then please email

brandguardians@abilityoptions.org.au.

CONTACT DETAILS

CONNECT WITH US

For more information about our services, how we can help you transition to the NDIS and

current news, please visit abilityoptions.org.auor join the Ability Options conversation online.

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ABLE CABLE FEBRUARY 2015