Belonging Matters Inc.

13/08/2025

EXCITING NEW INTRODUCTORY EVENT

Inclusion Seekers: Building Community

👥 Attend this workshop online using Zoom
📅 9.30 am to 10.45 am on 16 September 2025

🔗 Register Now: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-seekers

ℹ️ Building strong communities is more critical than ever, especially in a world that can feel disconnected. Strong communities provide a sense of belonging, support and shared purpose for everyone. For people with intellectual disabilities and autism, the risk of isolation is often high.

Join us for this introductory online workshop in which Starfire from Cincinnati, Ohio will discuss how they broke down barriers of isolation for people with developmental disabilities by moving away from traditional service-based models to create opportunities where every individual is known and valued within their community. This was done by affirming gifts, focusing on building genuine relationships and fostering a sense of belonging in the community.

To find out more you can visit: https://www.belongingmatters.org/event-details/inclusion-seekers-building-community

Image below of a person with a disability dressed in hi-visibility clothing standing next to his volunteer friend at the local market. Text, Inclusion Seekers: Building Community, Online Introductory session. 16 September 2025 from 9.30 am to 10.45 am. Book Now. Image logos for Starfire and Belonging Matters.

07/08/2025

Our CEO, Deb Rouget is sharing our experiences about people with disabilities living in their own home, rather than group homes. We're looking forward to hearing from Ewan King from the UK

Free event: Join us for a powerful online session exploring how people with disability can live in homes of their own, with support that fits their lives.

👤 Featuring UK expert Ewan King, CEO of Shared Lives Plus
📅 Friday 29 August, 11am – 12.30pm AEST
🖥 Free on Zoom (with live captioning)
💬 Includes live Q&A

You’ll hear real stories, learn from international experience, and be part of a growing movement to build inclusive, individualised living options in Australia.

Register via the link in the comments below ⬇️

Presented by Summer Foundation and Belonging Matters Inc.
Facilitated by Dr George Taleporos.

22/07/2025

The Community Employment Partnerships is a partnership between Belonging Matters and Rotary which aims to harness the networks of Rotarians to find mainstream employment for people with intellectual disability.

In this video, you will meet members of the CEP project, hear about the jobs they have now, and discover how Rotarians have played a critical role in securing their mainstream employment.

If you would like to be a part of the CEP project and would like to discover what jobs might be a good fit for you, please email: cep@belongingmatters.org

Watch Video:

This video provides several examples of businesses hiring people with a disability, via the Community Employment Partnership, a partnership between Belonging...

17/07/2025

There is still time to have your say about NDIS Supports.

Consultation will close on 27 July.

For more information, including in Easy Read and Auslan, visit: https://engage.dss.gov.au/ndis-supports-rule/

16/07/2025

Download your FREE PDF copy of our newest Guide 'Finding and Keeping a Job - Part 1: Discovery and Harnessing Your Networks to Find a Job' by visiting: 👇
📖 https://www.belongingmatters.org/books

This new guide, Finding and Keeping a Job (Part 1): Discovery and Harnessing Your Networks to Find a Job, draws on the experiences of leaders in Customised Employment and our own experience.

The guide aims to provide:

👉 a background to the employment of people with intellectual disabilities
👉 a summary of Customised Employment approaches
👉 an overview of "Discovery"
👉 guidance on how a person's networks can be harnessed to provide job leads
👉 how to facilitate an employment planning meeting
👉 a range of stories from employees and employers

FREE PDF available now.

Image below of two people at the welcome desk of their workplace. Text, Guide, Finding and Keeping a Job - Part 1. Discovery and Harnessing Your Networks to Find a Job. FREE, PDF Available Now. Image logo for Belonging Matters.

09/07/2025

Griffith University are currently undertaking a research project which is examining the current social inclusion experiences, patterns, and opportunities in leisure for young people (aged 18-34) with different types of disability, including physical, cognitive, sensory and neurodivergent.

The research forms a component of Hannah Simmond’s Doctor of Philosophy program.

Participants will be asked to complete an online survey that may take up to 30 minutes and contains questions about you, your participation in leisure environments, and the barriers and enablers you have encountered.

You can complete the survey via the link below:
https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/social-access-and-social-inclusion-outcomes-for-people-with-a-disability-in-leisure-and-recreational-built-environments

04/07/2025

24/06/2025

Would you like to explore systematic instruction principles that are especially important for those who find it difficult to learn?

In this video titled 'Knowing the Learner', Milton Tyree explores the importance of 'getting to know the learner', and why it is so important to successful customised employment.

This video is part of the 'Enhanced Learning and Skill Development' series by Milton Tyree.

🎥 Watch Video: https://tinyurl.com/3s7r97ev

You can watch further videos on this topic by visiting: https://www.talksthatmatter.net/
**Search under Free Videos: Learning and Skill Development

Image below of guest speaker, Milton Tyree. Text, Watch Video about Knowing the Learner. Image Logo for Belonging Matters.