EnhanceABILITY

25/11/2025

We know that everyone is feeling a bit punch drunk right now with the ever changing goal posts for disability supports in Australia, but please consider adding your signature to this petition.

A new parliamentary petition (EN8570) is calling for an NDIS Joint Standing Committee Inquiry into the proposed NDIS Support Needs Assessment process.
The petition calls for Parliament to properly investigate and consult on:
The validity and reliability of the assessment tools chosen for the new assessment (including modifications to the tool);
How assessors are selected and qualified;
The process used to generate support budgets;
Safeguards for risk, appeals, and psychological wellbeing; and
The transparency, ethics, and cost modelling behind this major reform.

This is the biggest change to NDIS planning in over a decade - and it must be done right.
Before any rollout, the proposed Support Needs Assessment and budget process must be independently reviewed, tested, and proven to be fair and effective.
🖋️ Add your name to the petition and help call for proper scrutiny and consultation:
👉 https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN8570
Because every person with disability deserves an NDIS that listens, learns, and gets it right.

[Image description: Graphic with a red brick wall background and a large white circle in the centre. Text reads: "Petition calls for an inquiry into the proposed Support Needs Assessment. Sign now." The Every Australian Counts logo appears below the text.]

12/11/2025

We applaud this articulate presentation to parliament by a young autistic man in South Australia and absolutely respect his command of AAC.

16/10/2025

On this Sunday (19/10) at Kinross-Wollaroi school, organised by Kylie Gregory, Occupational Therapist in Orange. We LOVE this concept - thanks for bringing extraordinary music to autistic children in a safe, supportive environment!

Explore the WOW concert, supporting autistic children with orchestral music and inspiring compositions for hope, joy, and connection.

02/10/2025

Thanks Paul Toole MP for coming along!

30/09/2025

Here’s the full article!

30/09/2025

'I had never envisioned this.'

29/09/2025

29/09/2025

Big thanks to the disability service providers, educators, community members, Bathurst GP Group representatives, the Mayor and local Members of Parliament and our team for a lovely official opening at our new premises at Westpoint Shopping Centre. Heartfelt thanks to Kirrily's Paws Time for informing us about therapy dogs and diverse communication, and Rob Shannon for bringing his guitar along and providing us with beautiful live music. Thanks to Emma Scanlon for her multitasking with food platters and Angel Newham (4th Year UoN Speech Pathology Student) for being creative with her poster and flexible with adding an official opening to her final year portfolio. We will share photos as they are sent in but here is a start.

25/08/2025

Happy Speech Pathology Week!

21/08/2025

We are watching the “Thriving Kids” initiative with apprehension (and also with a decent dose of cynicism). This post by Amaze does a great job of summing up the elements of the initiative that are of concern.

18/08/2025

We're IN! What a journey, starting 10 months ago...so happy with the result. And yes, I look manic in the "then" photo and can guarantee that it's been a constant theme since January.

Thanks to Angela Windsor for her wonderful artwork that inspired the colours in our waiting area, the wonderful Havenhand & Mather Architects for the design and advice, Scrimshaw Homes for the build and Bright Glass, Central West Electrical, Peak Connect, Chill Rite, Smith & Co Locksmiths, Startle Art and RJ Signs for your contributions. I love the community and trust that local businesses bring to the table. Thanks to our various family members for donating their time and helping out, especially my brother and his wife, who picked up and drove a marketplace reception desk from the central coast, and Tim, Holly and Jacko for spending last Saturday building flatpacks. Thanks to my team for patiently coping with my obsessions over my design vision (it's continuing but we're almost there). Above all, thanks to my wonderful parents, Ian and Trish, for installing timber panelling, painting (SO much painting), renovating the reception desk and making it work, problemsolving, installing shelving and moving things. You can now have a well-earned rest. We're so excited about our sun-and-plant-filled functional space and are looking forward to you all visiting us! Christine