Able Australia is a leading provider of disability services and community supports, helping to support our clients to live the life they choose.
We have been proudly supporting our clients to have Better Days, Every Day for over 50 years.
26/09/2025
As the long weekend kicks offfor those in Victoria, we are throwing it back to the time we got to go to Richmond’s training ground ☀️🏉
Jonathon, Stewart, Ron, Francis, and Colin were all smiles as they visited the iconic Swinburne Centre (Punt Road Oval) to watch the Tigers train! 🐯🔥Whilst they didn't make it to the Grand Final this year, it was still an awesome experience.
With the excitement in the air for Trent Cotchin’s 300th game the next day. The real highlight? Meeting Trent Cotchin and Noah Balta in person! 📸🙌
Following on from International Day of Sign languages on Tuesday we put the spotlight on Auslan.
Would you like to learn the Auslan alphabet?
Click the link below to help you learn everything from A to Z in the Auslan alphabet - https://tinyurl.com/3j7vm8z4
24/09/2025
🤲Tactile Sign
This Deaf Awareness Week, we’re highlighting how the deafblind community uses Auslan.
Tactile signing is when a person places their hands over the hands of the signer to feel each sign. The tactile alphabet makes it possible to spell out words letter by letter. This ensures communication is never out of reach.
Access to sign language is a human right. For people who are deafblind, tactile signing helps prevent isolation. It also opens doors to inclusion, connection, and community.
🎥 Watch the video to see the deafblind tactile signed alphabet in action.
➡️ Learn more through resources from Able’s Centre for Excellence – Deafblind (link in comments).
23/09/2025
"No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights"
On this International Day for Sign Languages, we support access to sign language. We celebrate how the deafblind community has adapted Auslan. These adaptions make communication and connection possible.
Some ways Auslan is adapted for connection include:
• Visual Frame Signing: keeping signs within a person’s limited field of vision.
• Tracking: placing a hand on the signer’s wrist to follow movement and feel expression.
• Close Range Signing: signing slowly and at eye level within close distance.
• Tactile Signing: placing hands over the signer’s hands to feel the signs.
• Deafblind Fingerspelling: spelling letters into the receiver’s hand.
• Social Haptic Communication: Touch cues that enhance sign language. These can include facial expressions or details about room layout.
These adaptations don’t just bridge gaps; they affirm sign language access as a human right. Without them, deafblind people risk exclusion from community, culture, and decision-making.
Want to learn more? Check the comments for resources from Able’s Centre for Excellence – Deafblind, including our Auslan tutorial videos.
[Image Description: A collage of people using Auslan adaptations, including tactile signing, close range signing, and visual frame signing, to celebrate International Day for Sign Languages.]
22/09/2025
Meet Leanne.
She has loved her part-time volunteer role, gaining valuable office experience and skills.
Leanne's been building her confidence and learning new skills like making video calls and sending emails, to identifying scams and staying safe online.
Recently, all of Leanne’s hard work paid off when she was invited to her very first job interview! 🙌 She prepared like an absolute pro. This included choosing an outfit, practising interview questions, researching the company, and even travelling across town for the big day.
This milestone has inspired her to keep chasing her employment goals.
New tools for better conversations in Positive Behaviour Support
Are you a Positive Behaviour Support practitioner or do you know one that is keen to strengthen communication with NDIS participants?
This week, “The Right Direction” resources were launched. These resources aim to change how behaviour support is planned and shared under the NDIS.
The resources were:
- Co-designed with people with disability, not just for them
- Can be used at every stage this includes from the first meeting to home visits, meetings, writing and reviews.
- Built to make behaviour support clearer, even more inclusive and person-centred.
We are proud that Dr Meredith Prain, Head of our Centre of Excellence – Deafblind, was part of the project’s advisory committee. Her knowledge helped make sure the resources work for people with complex sensory and communication needs.
Explore the tools today, therightdirectionpbs.com
18/09/2025
When you light a candle, or unwrap a soap from Made by Mosaic, you’re holding more than just a product you’re holding a story.
Makers at Made by Mosaic learn new skills, be creative, and be part of something real. The makers at Made by Mosaic choose the scents, pour the wax, label the jars, and pack your orders with care.
Here, we do everything together and love what we do.
Thank you for supporting the inclusive work, for choosing handmade.
🛒 Shop the collection at madebymosaic.com.au
💚 Support local.
16/09/2025
Are you or your loved one looking for a place to call home? Our Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes are designed to provide comfort, independence, and support that is just right for you, so you can live life your way.
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living gives people with disability the opportunity to live in a safe, welcoming home while receiving support they need. This might include support with cooking, cleaning, getting to appointments, or whatever your goals are.
Our Supported Independent Living is about much more than support, it’s about building confidence, creating connections, and enjoying everyday life.
We currently have vacancies available in Victoria and Tasmania.
Hi deafblind campers, this is your Deafblind Camp 2026 Committee.
Please join us in welcoming Kimberley from Queensland and Jasper and Rodney from Melbourne. They will work with the Camp Coordinator and the DBS Manager to plan all the activities for next year’s camp.
We had many fantastic applicants for these paid positions, and it was a hard decision. Importantly, the majority of the Planning Committee are people with deafblindness. This means the camp will be planned by and for people with deafblindness, ensuring the activities are meaningful for everyone attending.
Do you have an idea for camp you’d like to share?
You can contact your committee members anytime at dbcamp.ableaustralia.org.au
[Image Description: A blue graphic with the Able Australia logo in the top right corner. White text reads: “Welcome to Deafblind Camp 2026 Planning Committee Members: Kimberley, Jasper and Rodney.”
Below the text are three photos in a curved banner: Left: A woman with long grey hair, wearing sunglasses and holding a red mobility cane, smiling. Centre: A person standing at the base of a flagpole raising a rainbow pride flag against a cloudy sky. Right: Two men communicating in tactile Auslan; one wears a wide-brim hat and holds the other’s hands.]
12/09/2025
We are rolling into the weekend ready to do what we love!
Weekends are a time to connect, explore and have fun! Whether it’s heading out for a coffee with friends, joining a local community event, enjoying music or art, or simply relaxing in a space that feels like home, weekends are to enjoy!
How are you spending your weekend?
10/09/2025
This R U OK? Day we recognise that checking in with people isn’t a one size fits all. It means finding the way that works best for each person to express how they are feeling.
Some of the ways we check in with the people we support include:
- Auslan
- Tactile and Key Word Sign
- Zones of Regulation
- Feelings boards
- Communication devices
- Chat books
It is also important to look out for warning signs that someone might not be okay – they might not be able to tell us in words, but changes in the way they are acting can alert us that something is not okay.
Communication and connection are essential to our wellbeing. What are some of the different ways that you check in with others?
10/09/2025
At Able we are local just like you.
Our Support Workers live and work locally. Many of them know the best spots for a walk when life is a bit much and you need some fresh air, or the best coffee spot for your daily coffee hit.
We have services in Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Able Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome to Able Australia! Here at Able, we are proud to be one of the leading providers of disability services for adults and community support for seniors to help them live a happy and independent life that they choose. Able Australia started over 50 years ago as a support group for the deafblind community. Over the years, we have expanded our services to offer a wider range of services to adults with a disability in Melbourne, Tasmania, ACT and SE Queensland.
Our aim is empower the individuals we support and help them to reach their full potential. We value Trust, Respect, Excellence, Kindness and always strive to provide the best quality care for our clients.
Although some of our clients receive funding from the NDIS and other funding streams, this does not always cover all the services they’d like to access, or activities that they want to do. Your donations are extremely important as they allow our clients to access these services, such as exciting day program activities, unique community access programs and educational resources that will empower and enable our clients achieve their own life goals. We are extremely thankful for our donors and all those you support Able Australia.
