Taking the First Step

For many people living with a disability, taking the first step and applying for professional disability support can be a daunting prospect.

However, accessing appropriate support services can be a vital part of living a full and rewarding life and can make a massive difference to your overall well-being. As a result, we wanted to use this blog to go through the positive impacts that disability services can have on individuals.

Which Disability Services Are Available in Australia?

The majority of government-funded disability support in Australia is provided through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS is funded by the Australian Government and aims to provide Australians with permanent and significant disability with "the reasonable and necessary support needed to participate in everyday life."

Disability services are usually provided by a service provider such as Focus Care.

Focus Care is a registered NDIS Provider which means that it has been approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as meeting certain standards of high-quality services, experience, qualifications and competency to provide services for NDIS participants.

What Are The Benefits of Disability Support Services?

1. Increased Independence

One of the primary benefits of disability support is the increased independence it can offer to individuals living with disabilities. Support workers can assist participants with personal care, shopping, cooking, outings and a range of other everyday activities of the participant's choosing.

This can facilitate autonomy and independent living and allow individuals to participate in the everyday activities of life with confidence. Ultimately, supported independent living can help individuals to make their own choices and live the way that they want to live.

2. Goal Oriented Support

The NDIS develops individualized support plans for each participant based on their specific goals. These plans are tailored to address the unique challenges and aspirations of the person with a disability. Support plans can focus on an individual's goals in areas such as mobility, communication, and social skills.

By helping people with a disability pursue their own purpose and reach their personal goals, support services can be of great benefit to people with disabilities and deliver positive outcomes.

3. The Opportunity to Pursue Personal Passions and Interests

Disability support can also play a vital role in allowing people to pursue their own passions and interests. In so doing, they create meaningful opportunities that can be of huge benefit to one's quality of life.

In addition, some NDIS providers such as Focus Care offer music therapy and art therapy. These therapies allow individuals to pursue their interests while receiving powerful social, psychological and creative benefits.

Whether it's social support that helps you attend the activities you love, or specialised therapies centred around your interests, disability support can pave the way for a fulfilling and enriched life.

4. Access to Education and Employment

Disability support can play a crucial role in helping individuals with disabilities access education and secure employment. Support workers can assist individuals with disabilities to access inclusive education programs that can empower them to pursue their academic goals alongside their peers.

Additionally, vocational training and employment assistance programs can help individuals explore career pathways, understand what a more inclusive workplace with disability inclusion training may look like, identify industries that may suit them, develop their job skills and secure meaningful employment.

This can foster economic independence and integration into the workforce.

5. Access to Allied Health Services to Improve Well-being

Accessing support through the NDIS can also ensure that individuals receive broad, well-rounded healthcare and well-being support.

NDIS funding can be used to address physical health needs as well as mental health and emotional well-being.

Positive behaviour support, physiotherapy, support from nutritionists, speech pathologists and counselling are all potentially available to cater to the diverse needs of people with disabilities, promoting overall health and well-being.

6. Disability Inclusion Programs and Social Support

Disability support can also encourage social inclusion by creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to actively participate in their communities.

Access to recreational activities, sports programs, and social events designed with inclusivity in mind fosters a sense of inclusion, community support and camaraderie.

Moreover, one on one social support can facilitate the development of social skills, reduce isolation and promote positive mental health outcomes.

7. Respite and Support for Families and Caregivers

Families and caregivers of individuals with disabilities also benefit greatly from access to disability support. These services offer respite care and guidance to caregivers, helping them cope with the demands and challenges of caregiving.

By alleviating some of the burdens associated with caregiving, disability support enables families to focus on nurturing stronger relationships and fostering a positive home environment.

8. Advocacy and Rights Protection

While not a support provided through the NDIS, another type of support available to people with disabilities that can provide significant benefits is a disability advocate.

Disability advocates work to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity in all aspects of life.

They also help with communication services where needed. You can find advocacy services through the Department of Social Services website.

Conclusion

Accessing disability services can be a transformative experience that can empower individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives.

These services pave the way for increased independence, improved quality of life, access to education and employment, all-around healthcare, social inclusion and community participation, and support for families and caregivers.

How can Focus Care help?

Focus Care is an NDIS registered provider, delivering high quality services tailored to your needs, including services for complex and high needs and those with multiple disabilities. It provides support services in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria including support coordination. If you are looking for a service provider which offers Support Coordination, help with daily life, creative therapies, and more, contact us today.