Respite Now

14/01/2026

🎄✨ Respite Now Chrissy Party 2025 ✨🎄

Our 2025 Chrissy Party was a blast! Clients and staff came together for a live music band, singing, dancing, and delicious food — the room was full of laughter and festive cheer.

A special highlight was recognising our outstanding staff, celebrating their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who joined in and made the day so memorable. Here’s to community, fun, and the holiday spirit!

14/01/2026

11/12/2025

🚨 Big update for NDIS participants and families! 🚨
From mid-2026, the NDIS is introducing a new way of planning that aims to make planning fairer, simpler, and more consistent for everyone. 💬🤝

🔎 The new planning approach will focus on:
✨ Person-centred and strengths-based assessments
💰 Fairer and more consistent budgets
📑 Fewer expensive reports required
🧩 Simpler, more flexible plans

This comes from the latest NDIS update — shaped by feedback from thousands of participants, carers and providers. The goal is to better reflect your real support needs and make planning easier to use and understand. 🧠❤️
NDIS

📆 What’s next?
The changes will be phased in from mid-2026 so most people won’t see immediate changes to their current plans.
NDIS

Want to learn more and stay informed? Head to the official NDIS website for full details and support resources. https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11024-update-new-way-planning

The NDIA officially details “new framework planning”, a phased change to the NDIS planning process nationwide starting mid-2026. It will introduce support needs assessments, use the I-CAN v6 tool, and aim for fairer, more consistent budgets and simpler, flexible plans.  https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11024-update-new-way-planning

28/11/2025

🚂🌳 All Aboard the Puffing Billy Adventure! 🌿✨

Our clients and staff enjoyed an unforgettable day aboard the iconic Puffing Billy Railway, breathing in the fresh mountain air, taking in the beautiful forest scenery, and sharing plenty of smiles along the way. 💚

There’s something special about slowing down, sharing a carriage, and watching the world roll by together. Days like this highlight the joy of community access — connection, laughter, confidence, and the freedom to explore. 🌞

🌟 Want to be part of the next adventure?
Respite Now is always planning fun, meaningful, and inclusive outings.

Let us know how your community access goals can turn into shared experiences filled with good vibes and new friendships.

Huge thanks to our wonderful clients for embracing the day, and to the amazing Respite Now staff who ensured a smooth, safe, and memorable experience for everyone. 🌿💛

05/11/2025

🌿 Rethinking ADHD Support: Putting People Before Profit

Experts are calling for change in how ADHD care is delivered — raising concerns about the growing influence of profit-driven models that can overlook what truly matters: people.

Behind every diagnosis is a person with hopes, challenges, and potential. Access to care should never come at the cost of compassion. True support is person-centred, ethical, and grounded in understanding — built on trust, not transactions. 🌿

Every individual deserves care that listens, uplifts, and empowers them to thrive. Because at the heart of good care is putting people first. ✨

Resource : https://disabilityupdate.net/adhd-experts-call-to-reform-profit-driven-private-model/

31/10/2025

🧡 Boo! But Make It Inclusive — A Halloween Message from Respite Now 👻

Halloween is here — a time for creativity, laughter, and a little spooky fun! Respite Now think that the best kind of celebration is where everyone feels welcome, safe and included.

Let’s make this Halloween more accessible for people of all abilities, sensory needs, and comfort levels. Here are a few simple ways we can all make a difference:
🧡 Be sensory-aware. Avoid overly loud sounds, flashing lights, or jump scares. Create “quiet corners” or calm zones for those who may feel overwhelmed.
🧡 Offer inclusive treats. Try non-food items like stickers, bubbles, or small toys — great for children and adults with allergies or dietary restrictions.
🧡 Keep pathways open. Ensure your decorations and displays don’t block ramps or sidewalks. Accessibility is festive too!
🧡 Be patient and kind. Not everyone communicates the same way. Some participants may take a little more time or express excitement differently — and that’s perfectly okay.
🧡 Celebrate everyone’s way of joining in. Whether someone wears a costume, waves from the car, or simply enjoys the atmosphere, participation looks different for everyone.
Together, we can turn Halloween into more than just a night of treats — but a moment of connection, understanding, and joy for all. 🎃
Let’s celebrate inclusion this spooky season — because we’ve found that every day can be a fun day as long as everyone is included. 💜

29/10/2025

A Historic Moment for Disability Arts in Australia 🎨

Australia has reached an incredible milestone — the launch of the first-ever National Disability Arts Archive! 🌟

This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the creativity, passion, and cultural impact of artists with disability, preserving their stories, artworks, and achievements for generations to come. It’s more than just an archive — it’s a living record of inclusion, representation, and artistic excellence across the nation.

At Respite Now, we’re proud to celebrate this powerful step toward recognising the voices and talents that continue to shape Australia’s diverse arts landscape. 💜

📚 Read more:
🔗 Mirage News – Historic First: New Disability Arts Archive : https://www.miragenews.com/website-chronicles-five-decades-of-disability-1551222/
🔗 Limelight Arts – Australia Launches First National Disability Arts Archive : https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/australia-launches-first-national-disability-arts-archive/

24/10/2025

📰 Update: Short Term Accommodation is now called Short Term Respite (effective 20 October 2025)

NDIS updated how we describe short term accommodation — it’s now called Short Term Respite. 💜

This change better reflects the purpose of the support: to give participants time away from their usual care arrangements while their primary informal supports take a well-deserved break. This helps carers continue in their vital roles.

After speaking with participants, families, and carers, most agreed that short term respite better represents the value of informal supports and the importance of sustaining these relationships. The focus is now on the support provided — not just the accommodation.

We understand that some have mixed feelings about the term “respite,” but it’s widely recognised and clearly describes the support being offered.

The updated guideline explains:
✅ Who can use short term respite
✅ What it includes
✅ How it should be used
✅ How decisions are made

Find out more about short term respite here:
🔗 https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10967-short-term-accommodation-now-called-short-term-respite

22/10/2025

💬 Respite Now Cares: Be Prepared This Summer 🌞

Australia’s summer can bring unpredictable challenges — from bushfires and floods to heatwaves and storms. At Respite Now, safety always comes first.

We’re reminding all providers, participants, and families to stay prepared and informed. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has shared an important Emergency Management Provider Alert to help ensure the safety of everyone we support.

This resource includes guidance on:
✅ Personal emergency management plans
✅ Organisational emergency plans
✅ Business continuity during and after an emergency

Together, we can stay safe, stay ready, and continue providing the care and support our community deserves.

🔗 Download the alert here: https://bit.ly/4eslYGR

🚨 Over the summer period, Australia faces a range of challenges including bushfires, cyclones, floods, extreme heat and severe storms.

Our Emergency Management Provider Alert helps NDIS providers understand the importance of good emergency management to ensure the safety of participants and staff, and the continuity of critical supports during and after an emergency.

Download this Provider Alert for information and resources on developing personal emergency management plans, organisational emergency plans and business continuity, so you're ready when an emergency hits: https://bit.ly/4eslYGR.

16/10/2025

Inclusive Transport Innovation

A new QUT study led by Professor Alexander Paz has revealed what people with disabilities want most in autonomous vehicles (AVs) — and it’s all about accessibility, comfort, and safety.

🔹 Key findings:
• Preference for medium-sized AVs with side entry for easy boarding
• Need for spacious interiors, non-retractable wheelchair restraints, and multi-sensory communication systems
• Importance of privacy, safety, and user-friendly design

Researchers say these features could revolutionize mobility for people with disabilities, improving access to work, healthcare, and social life — but only if universal design principles guide development from the start.

This study, supported by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, highlights the next step toward inclusive, accessible transport for everyone. 🌏♿



Resource: https://disabilityupdate.net/study-identifies-autonomous-transport-design-priorities-for-people-with-disabilities/

14/10/2025

We’re excited to share the very first edition of our quarterly community newsletter, The RITCHLY Connection. It’s designed to bring the Respite Now community closer together and celebrate the people who make it special: our clients, our staff and the many others who support them and their families.

Read more 👇👇👇
https://mailchi.mp/respitenow.com.au/the-ritchly-connection-respite-nows-quarterly-newsletter