My Plan Manager

07/10/2025

500+ athletes.

Three days.

Infinite energy, excitement and community spirit!

As a Special Olympics Australia partner, we had a blast at the organisation's Victorian State Games, held in Ballarat on the weekend.

We got to meet and see athletes from across Victoria (and elsewhere too!) doing what they love, and witness Mick Olsen receiving his lifetime membership in honour of his commitment to the Special Olympics movement.

That's what we call a weekend well done!

05/10/2025

It's weekends like these, spent with people like this, that remind us all exactly why we do what we do! Thank you Special Olympics Australia for making us part of your fantastic community. 👏🎖

02/10/2025

Of the nearly 300,000 Australians with autism, it’s estimated that one-third of them doesn’t speak with their voice. But that doesn’t mean they can’t communicate – as PhD candidate Timothy HoYuan Chan has shown!

Find out more at the link below 👇



[Image: outline of two heads facing each other - one blue and the other yellow with pink, purple and yellow colours around them]

There are lots of myths about autistic people who don’t talk. Here are three and why they’re so wrong.

01/10/2025

Boarding pass? Check. ID? Check. More accessible options at Melbourne Airport? CHECK!

The network of Mobility Hubs, launched as a trial in 2024, have now been made permanent. Powered wheelchairs and buggies will make it easier for travellers with disability to navigate from terminal to terminal and from the car parks.

Find out more at the link below 👇



[Image: Woman with brown hair and dark clothing in wheelchair facing female with blonde hair behind a desk at Melbourne Airport]

Run in conjunction with not-for-profit Travellers Aid, the Melbourne Airport Assist service will provide buggies and powered wheelchairs to help travellers with disabilities navigate the airport, and will run seven days a week between 6am and 10pm starting next month.

30/09/2025

We just love this story about a boy called Leo ❤️

12-year-old Leo wowed his school—and over 2.5 million people online—with a speech about autism, calling it a “limited edition Lego set.”

He’s passionate about elevators, traffic lights, coding, and YouTube.
And his favourite analogy?

“Autism is like a chilli.” 🌶️

Read more about his heartwarming story below 👇

Twelve-year-old Leo is the talk of his community thanks to a speech he made for his school's public speaking competition where he opened up about his neurodiversity.

25/09/2025

Ready player everyone 🎮 Have you seen this adaptive tech helping gamers with a disability level up?

Specially designed controllers and accessibility tools are making video games more inclusive than ever, and for many people, it offers a space to connect with others and feel part of a community - all while reaching for that high score.

MND Australia and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Queensland have even teamed up on a project to make gaming more accessible, recognising the real life benefits it can bring.

Read more about it at the link below 👇



[Image: Man with grey bear and hair in a black MND tshirt in a wheelchair sitting at computer with a game on the screen]

Rob Taylor has motor neuron disease and uses specially-designed controllers to play video games with his son Chris.

24/09/2025

Starting with the NDIS can be, well… a lot. There’s so much information, and it’s not always clear what’s important or where to begin.

We’ve heard from plenty of people that the most useful advice doesn’t always come from official guides - it comes from others who’ve already been through it.

So, we want to ask you:

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first started with the NDIS?

It could be something that helped you prepare for your planning meeting. Something that made it easier to speak up for what you need.
Or just a small tip that made things less overwhelming.

Whatever it is, drop it in the comments.

Your advice could be exactly what someone else needs to hear right now.

23/09/2025

Have you ever been refused a ride because of your service animal?

Paralympian Jeremy McClure was recently turned away by Uber drivers not once, but three times in a single day - all because of his guide dog Nina.

It’s frustrating, unfair, and yes, it’s actually illegal. Under the Disability Discrimination Act, a person can’t be refused a service because of their guide dog.

Jeremy stood his ground – and you can read the full story below, including how one driver finally agreed to take him… straight to the police station. But it didn’t happen how you might think.

Find out more at the link below 👇



[Image: Jeremy in a dark blue suit jacket and light blue top with his black labrador]

A vision-impaired Paralympic swimmer says he had to involve police when three different Uber drivers refused him transport because he had his guide dog with him.

18/09/2025

Just a reminder in case you need it today..

You’re doing great.

16/09/2025

Ever wanted to give tennis a go? Well, game on!

Tennis Australia is launching its first ever All Abilities Week next month to celebrate the coaches, clubs and venues making tennis more inclusive for people with disability.

From wheelchair tennis to blind and low vision, intellectual disability, autism, deaf and hard of hearing, and para-standing tennis, there’s a place for everyone on and off the court.

Find out more about how to get involved and what’s happening near you at the link below 👇



[Image: Lady in dark blue tracksuit holding a tennis ball and young girl with white top and black skirt holding tennis racket on tennis court]

Tennis Australia will shine a light on the coaches, clubs and venues championing disability inclusion at All Abilities Week.

15/09/2025

Can you claim more than what’s available in a funding period in your NDIS plan?

Short answer - Nope!

The NDIA now splits the funding in NDIS plans into smaller time blocks, and you can only claim what’s available in each period – which means you can’t spend money from future funding periods without written permission from the NDIA.

Want to know how it all works and how to manage it?

Check out our article at the link below 👇



[Image: Man with short brown hair, black rimmed glasses and checkered red shirt]

With funding periods reshaping how NDIS supports are delivered and budgets managed, now might be the perfect time to revisit your service agreements.

12/09/2025

“Can I use my NDIS funding to buy a smart watch?”. This is a common question posed by NDIS participants.

The rules introduced late last year by the NDIA mean you can’t buy a smart watch unless it was approved in your plan before 3 October 2024.
The only other way to have a claim for a smart watch approved is if the NDIA agrees to it as a replacement support – and if that’s stated in writing.

We know it can be hard to get your head around can and can’t be claimed in the NDIS, which is why we’re here to help you.

Want to know more about replacement supports?

Read our article at the link below 👇



[Image: Girl with long brown hair in a yellow top with a phone in her hand]

The NDIA has defined what participants can’t and can’t purchase and the rules around requesting a replacement in the NDIS. Here's what to know.