March

Consumer Participation Committee

 

The Consumer Participation Committee (CPC) meet every four months at our Head Office in Camberwell. The Committee is made up of two Able Australia Board members, our CEO Celestine Hare, Rebecca Cattermole (Quality representative), Hermione Ward (CP Co-ordinator) and a representative from each service area.

 

At present we have representatives from six service areas but we are hoping to continue to build up the numbers to cover all our services. Now that the committee is running well and we are starting to see positive outcomes we are hoping this will encourage more people to become involved.

 

The Committee was set up to give the consumers an opportunity to put forward their ideas/concerns directly to the CEO and Board members and to also receive direct feedback.

 

Each of the meetings are scheduled for the same day as a Board meeting so within a few hours of our meeting finishing a report is presented to the Board.
 

A day at the races for Able Lifestyle Choices North
 
 

Three of the people we support who access Able Lifestyle Choices North had a great day out on Thursday March 26 at The Melbourne Grand Prix.

 

Special thanks go to staff Linda and Maria who made the day a great success.The visit to the Grand Prix is part of Able Australia's ongoing commitment to providing the people we support with choice, opportunities to get out in the community and to enjoy a quality of life that anyone else in the community may expect.

 
  

Communication Classes with Freehills Legal


Staff from Freehills Legal participated in basic communication classes in March to assist them with communication with deafblind people.
The class included learning both the Auslan alphabet and the deafblind alphabet. Participants learnt a variety of different signs and near the completion of the lessons were successfully having basic conversations with each other.


The classes covered everything from greetings, colours and countries to food and emotions. The successful course was very much enjoyed by the participants and many have expressed interest in learning more in the future. 
Staff from Freehills have previously helped maintain the gardens of our residential support houses and volunteered at our community events. Their ongoing support is greatly appreciated by the Able Australia community.

 

Able Australia announce new residential service in Mornington

 

 Able Australia is pleased to announce the commencement of operations at the Mornington Able House, a recent addition to Able’s residential support services in Victoria, as the result of being awarded the tender for the provision of disability support services by Southern Region Department of Human Services.

 

Able Australia CEO Celestine Hare says that “the development is a significant achievement for the organisation and strengthens Able Australia role as a leader in disability service provision in Victoria, Tasmania and beyond.

 

“We are very proud to have been entrusted with the responsibility of providing meaningful support to people living with disabilities in Victoria and we are strongly committed to and aware of the responsibilities that we have to the people we support”, Ms Hare said.

 

“Our vision is to create a community where people with multiple disabilities including deafblindness are seen, heard, respected, valued and connected. We focus on reaching out to the people we support and their families to help them achieve self-fulfilment and connection with the community.”

 

“The residents in the house will be supported by qualified Auslan level 2 staff and will have the opportunity to participate in a range of programs such as Ablelink [eCommunication Centre], the Able Recreation program and other initiatives that promote communication skills through training for the residents and their families”, Ms Hare said.

 

Able Australia won the tender for the supported accommodation house after a rigorous application process.

 

Able Australia Services currently manages 10 in Victoria and 18 residential facilities in Tasmania.

 

CEO Ms Hare says, “The Board, staff and friends of Able Australia look forward to growing strong partnerships with families, local communities and the people we support.”