Mosaic Support Services

22/07/2025

🖤 The black background on the Disability Pride Flag represents mourning — for people with disability who have died due to ableism, neglect, or preventable causes.

Too many of these losses happened not because of disability, but because care, respect, or support came too late — or not at all.

This Pride Month, we remember those we’ve lost.
We carry their stories with us — and work for a future where no one is left behind.

📣 Pride means honouring the past while building something better. Share this message if you believe in a world where disability rights are non-negotiable



[Image Description: Two graphics from Able Australia for Disability Pride Month.
Image 1 has the text: “Pride is Protest. People with intellectual disability die up to 27 years earlier — often from preventable causes.” Illustration: three people grieving, one in a wheelchair. Image 2: shows text: “Pride is Protest. Speak up. Speak out.” Illustration: diverse group marching with signs and the Disability Pride flag.]

20/07/2025

🟩 Sensory disability includes Deafness, hearing loss, blindness, low vision, and Deafblindness. These experiences affect how a person accesses information, communicates, and moves through the world.

Access to communication, technology, and connection is essential — but barriers still exist. Too often, systems are not designed with sensory access in mind, especially in regional and remote areas.

👉 Check the link in the comments to learn how Deafblind organisations are calling for national action — and why it matters.




[Image Description: Two graphics promoting Disability Pride Month by Able Australia. The first image has text that reads: “Sensory Disability. Over 400,000 Australians are blind or vision impaired, and more than 3.6 million are Deaf or hard of hearing.” It features an illustration of a sighted woman guiding a blind woman who uses a white cane. The second image has text reads: “Sensory Disability. Many Deafblind Australians are excluded from vital information and connection due to communication barriers.” It features an illustration of two people using tactile sign language.]

17/07/2025

🎙️Meet Amy:

My name is Amy. I am a proud auntie, daughter, sister and sister-in-law and I am very involved with my family. I’m proud of nearly 25 years at Mosaic and all the things I have achieved – like designing my own soaps and making up my very own designer apron. I am very confident on the iPad and EFTPOS machine to make sales for Made by Mosaic; I can do it without support now and help train other people. I am proud that if there is a problem I can speak up for myself and I’ve got my very own independence. I’m proud that I’m now on the radio – I thought I would be nervous to speak, but I was confident because I get to talk about the things I love. You might see me around at local markets or hear me on Edge Radio – I like to give everything a go!



[Image Description: Two photos of Amy. In the first, she’s in a radio studio wearing headphones and smiling behind a microphone. In the second, she’s at a market stall wearing a colourful apron, standing proudly behind a display of handmade soaps from Made by Mosaic.]

15/07/2025

💙 Psychosocial disability refers to the social and practical impacts of living with a mental health condition. It can affect how a person interacts with others, manages stress, or participates in community life.

Here in Tasmania, 73% of people who need psychosocial support are missing out — with waitlists often stretching beyond six months.

That’s not just a service gap — it’s a reflection of the stigma and misunderstanding that still shape our systems. In healthcare, housing, and the workplace, too many people are met with judgement instead of support.

📣 Pride means recognising the strength it takes to survive in a world that wasn’t built for you. Know someone who needs to hear this? Share it with them.

13/07/2025

⚪ Not all disabilities are visible — and not all have a name. Many people live with chronic pain, fatigue or other conditions that aren't easy to see.

People with invisible disability are often misunderstood or overlooked. This can lead to isolation and extra pressure to get through the day.

🌻 Did you know the sunflower is another symbol for hidden disability? It’s a way of saying: “There’s more going on than you can see.”

Check the comments to learn more — and share what this means to you.




[Image Description: Two illustrated graphics highlighting invisible and undiagnosed disabilities for Disability Pride Month.
The first image features the heading “Invisible and Undiagnosed” with text explaining that many people with disability in Australia have conditions that aren’t immediately visible—such as chronic pain, fatigue, mental health, or neurological conditions. Four diverse illustrated characters are shown, including a person wearing noise-cancelling headphones and another with a sunflower lanyard.
The second image shows the phrase “Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there,” with a faint sunflower in the background. An illustrated woman wearing a sunflower lanyard and name badge is shown below the text.
Both graphics include the Able Australia logo and the hashtag .]

10/07/2025

The team at Made by Mosaic have been hard at work in the lead-up to Disability Pride Month, and their creativity is on full display! 🧼🌈

They’ve just launched a brand-new Disability Pride soap inspired by the colours of the Disability Pride flag and powered by the individuality and passion of the makers themselves. Each soap is one of a kind, just like the people who made them.

As the team planned their designs and carefully selected scents, they also shared reflections on what Disability Pride means to them:

💬 “I feel proud of the way I help people. I am proud of my high scores at bowling. I am proud of my soap, Bird of Paradise. I love the smell I chose, and the pattern is bright and colourful like me.” – Shakeira
💬 "I am a proud artist and designer. I use a program called Art Rage because it is one of the only programs that doesn’t use AI. It is important to me that my art is authentically made by me." – Jamie Lea
💬 "I am proud of my soap making, and proud St Kilda member. I have a great sense of humour, but when things aren’t right, I can be serious and speak up about them." – Jo
💬 “I’m proud of nearly 25 years at Mosaic and all the things I have achieved – like designing my own soaps and making up my very own apron.” – Amy

🧼✨ Want to get your hands on a bar of Disability Pride soap — scented with French Pear and infused with pride, passion, and purpose?

Check the comments for the link!



[Image Descriptions: Four Images showcasing the process of making Disability Pride Soaps. Image 1 shows a close-up of four colourful handmade soaps, with a central black soap wrapped in plastic. Its label reads “Disability Pride – Made by Mosaic – 2025,” featuring the colours of the Disability Pride flag. Image two shows Amy leaning over a table, carefully sorting small, coloured soap pieces into groups on a chopping board. She’s wearing a grey fleece and appears focused. The third image shows Shakeira sitting at a table, smiling gently while using a blue plastic knife to cut coloured soap pieces on a grey chopping board. Image 4 shows Cerrie, Amy, Janine and Shakira smiling and wearing colourful handmade aprons. They stand in front of wooden shelves filled with handmade soaps and items.]

08/07/2025

🟨 Neurodivergence includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia. It also includes other ways of processing, thinking, and experiencing the world. It’s part of the natural diversity of human minds. Neurodivergence is increasingly known in our communities.

Around 1 in 70 Australians is diagnosed with autism, while ADHD is even more common, affecting about 1 in 20 people. But adults still face long delays in getting a diagnosis, support, or understanding — especially those who were missed growing up.

📢 Let’s make neurodivergence visible. Tag someone who’s helped you feel understood or celebrated for who you are.



[Image Description: Two Disability Pride Month graphics about neurodivergence. The first highlights that 1 in 70 Australians is diagnosed with autism and 1 in 20 with ADHD, featuring three people celebrating and holding a neurodiversity flag. The second shows a person overwhelmed in a medical setting, with symbols like a clock and medical tools, highlighting how stress can delay diagnosis and support.]

06/07/2025

🟥 Physical disability can affect movement, coordination, or mobility — and it’s one of the most common types of disability in Australia. For so many people, the world isn’t built with access in mind.

Did you know only 27% of public buses in regional areas meet full accessibility standards? In Tasmania, where there are no trams or passenger trains, that means buses are often the only option — and when they’re not accessible, people are left without a way to get where they need to go.

📝 What’s one barrier you’ve faced — or seen someone else face — that could be fixed with better design or policy? Drop it in the comments.



[Image Description: Image 1 is a graphic with the heading “PHYSICAL DISABILITY” in big black letters. Text below says: “Around 32% of Australians with disability report having a physical or mobility-related condition as their main disability.” At the bottom, there are three illustrated people: one using a wheelchair, one walking with a prosthetic leg, and one using a crutch. The background has diagonal blocks of dark blue and dusty rose. The Able Australia logo and the hashtag DisabilityPrideMonth appear at the bottom. Image 2 is a graphic with the heading “PHYSICAL DISABILITY.” Text underneath says:
“Only 27% of public buses in regional areas meet full accessibility standards.”
Below, there is an illustration of a person using a wheelchair, entering a public bus via a ramp. The background includes angled blocks of dark blue and dusty rose. The Able Australia logo and the hashtag DisabilityPrideMonth are at the bottom.]

04/07/2025

So much fun was had at Game Day Able Australia

03/07/2025

🦋 Meet Margie!

My name is Margie, and I am a proud artist. I love doing things with my hands and getting messy in the process. I love dancing. Some call me a “social butterfly”, and I love to do artwork of butterflies. I am proud of the butterfly pottery I made that someone bought to display in their office. I am very stylish – my signature style is pink often with butterflies (of course!). I love to accessorise with colourful jewellery. That’s just what I wear every day – but I love to dress up for special occasions like Halloween and the AFL Grand Final (go Swans!).

People I don’t know well find it hard to understand my speech, and there are some things I can’t say. I use a device to speak for me when I can’t pronounce the words. I am waiting for funding for a new text to speech device so that I can communicate with more people.

I love going to the footy and shopping. I really enjoy swimming and doing exercises which helps my back and keeps me moving. Even though I can’t walk anymore I still get out and about everywhere if it is accessible – like going to Mona on the Ferry. I want there to be more accessibility so I can get out and party more! On a more serious note, one of my goals is to join a filming group, but I can’t join right now because there isn’t an accessible vehicle – but I have spoken up about it and we are looking for a solution.



[Image description: A vibrant photo collage captures a Margie living life with boldness, pride, and joy. In the first image, she is handing over a small bag at an indoor market, her smile as bright as the sunlight streaming in. In the second, she’s mid-tattoo at a studio, laughing and confident in a pink cape and choker necklace, with a tattoo artist working on her arm. In the third, she celebrates at the beach, raising her arms in excitement as she sits at the end of an accessible mat, the ocean behind her and a soft pink blanket over her lap. In the fourth, she beams while wearing full Sydney Swans supporter gear — red-and-white scarf, beanie, shiny red pants, and a big smile. Across each photo, her personality shines: full of colour, humour, and fierce pride in who she is.]

01/07/2025

🎉 We’re excited to celebrate Disability Pride Month!

July is a time to recognise the strength, identity, and diversity of people with disability across lutruwita/Tasmania.

At Mosaic we’re proud to walk alongside so many creative, curious, and courageous individuals. Every day, we celebrate who people are — while continuing to call for a more inclusive and accessible Tasmania.

The colours of the Disability Pride Flag each represent a different part of the lived experience of disability.

This July, we’ll explore what Disability Pride really means — from the symbolism of the flag to the stories behind it.
We’ll share stats, truths, and living experiences from people with disability — because real pride isn’t about fitting in.

It’s about showing up, speaking up, and being proud of who you are.



[Image description: This image shows the colours of the Disability Pride Flag — red, gold, white, blue, and green — on a dark grey background. The words “Disability Pride Month” appear in bold white text, and the Able Australia logo is in the corner. ]

23/06/2025

We are excited to be celebrating Deafblind Awareness Week this week until 29 June.

This week we are excited to celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week with the theme Together we grow. It’s all about using creativity to build connection through art, music, food, dance or anything that brings people together.

At Able Australia, we’re proud of our Deafblind heritage (formerly the Deafblind Association), and our ongoing commitment to supporting people with deafblindness live the life they choose. For over 50 years, we’ve advocated for inclusion, connection, and support for the deafblind community.

Deafblindness is a unique and complex disability that affects both hearing and vision, but not the ability to connect, communicate, and thrive. When we learn from and with people who are deafblind, we open doors to greater understanding, respect, and inclusion.

To celebrate the deafblind community let's come together to create, connect and celebrate.

Get involved and share your creative expressions using or post your creativeness in the comments.



Imag description: Colourful group of people on the steps of parliament house for Deafblind Awareness week. They are looking happy as the raise awareness about deafblindness. They are smiling at the camera and wearing lots of colourful yarn.